Immigration & Visas lawyers

Choosing the right kind of assistance

Advice depends on the pathway, current status, location and application history. Disclose earlier refusals and cancellations. Home Affairs identifies registered migration agents, legal practitioners and certain exempt people as authorised providers of immigration assistance; confirm your adviser’s professional status.

How the engagement may progress

1. 01

   Gather identity documents, visa records, decision letters and application history. Confirm who will give the advice and their scope of work.

2. 02

   Ask which requirements and evidence need assessment, including translations or reports. No provider can guarantee the application outcome.

3. 03

   Agree who receives correspondence and tracks requests. Keep a complete copy of lodged material and understand what you approve before submission.

Fees and the scope of work

Separate professional fees from government charges, translations and other expenses. Preparing an application does not necessarily include a review or court proceeding.

Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.

Dates to raise at first contact

Provide expiry dates and the entire decision letter immediately. Review rights and dates depend on the particular decision and circumstances.

Questions to ask a immigration & visas adviser

• How can I verify your professional status?
• Does the scope include further-information requests or review work?
• Who monitors correspondence and urgent dates?