How do I first approach you?
You may contact us for a confidential, detailed first consultation free of charge, or you may choose to visit our offices or add us on Wechat. You may also choose to complete our online assessment form or send a question to our email(visa@crlaw.com.au).
How do I know I have made the right choice?
- Our team of highly educated and uniquely talented experts
- Our 15+ years of direct professional experience
- Our strong international reputation
- Our enviable near perfect track record of success
- Our dedication and personal attention to our clients
- Our spirit of excellence in all that we do
- You are assured of making the right choice in us.
How do I engage you?
After receiving a consultation and assessment of your eligibility, we explain the fees and charges involved, and you sign a cost and service agreement with us and we start taking care of you.
How can I be assured my case will succeed?
Our standard of case acceptance is high. We will not accept a case unless we know we have a reasonable certainty of success.
How will you handle my case?
- You sign a cost and service agreement with us
- You pay fees under that agreement
- We provide a “Document Checklist” to you
- We work together to compile, draft and prepare documents
- We prepare and lodge your application
- We manage your application and take care of you during the entire process
Where will my case be lodged?
Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection (“DIBP”) is the department of the Australian Government responsible for the processing of all visa applications. Outside Australia, an application is generally lodged in the applicant’s home country. Inside Australia, an application is generally lodged at the nearest DIBP office.
What documents do I need to provide?
Using our many years of experience working with senior DIBP officers, we have designed “Document Checklists” to outline the information and documents required and the key steps and procedures to be followed. After signing a cost and service agreement with us, we will provide you with a Document Checklist for your case.
How will my case be processed by DIBP?
For all visa categories, DIBP has a queue policy:
- After lodgement, an application is placed at the back of a queue to await assessment
- When the application reaches the front of the queue it is assigned to an assessing officer
- After assessment, further documents or procedures might be requested
- Health checks, character checks and security checks are carried out
- After final processing, a decision is made
For some visa categories, DIBP has a priority policy. This means certain types of applications are processed ahead of others during a particular migration program year.
Can I ask a DIBP officer to help me?
Whilst DIBP officers are helpful in providing general information on visa categories and requirements, they are not permitted to advise you or help you prepare your case.
Can I handle my case myself?
Australia’s immigration system is highly complex and requires extreme care and attention to detail. Highly experienced expert help is essential. Applicants from medium to high risk countries are especially required to seek advice and guidance.
How do I know which options are available to me?
After assessing your circumstances and eligibility, we will be pleased to advise you of your actual and potential options.
How long will DIBP take to process my application?
DIBP processing times vary according to visa category.
Can I make my application faster?
Before lodgement, yes. Work closely and promptly with us to prepare your application as quickly as possible. Further time can be saved by completing many of the steps before lodgement that are usually requested by DIBP during processing.
After lodgement, generally no. The speed of processing is controlled by DIBP.
The 12 benefits of an Australian permanent visa:
- The right to live in Australia forever
- Free health insurance and health care in Australia’s public health system known as Medicare [http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/medicare-services]
- The right to apply for a range of social security benefits and allowances [http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/dhs/centrelink] such as unemployment benefit, study allowance, youth allowance, carer payment, low income health concession card, senior citizen concession card, child care payment and pension (there is a 2 year waiting period for most benefits)
- The right to apply for a first home buyer grant [http://www.firsthome.gov.au/] and a stamp duty saving when buying your first property
- Free education in Australia’s public school system from kindergarten to year 12
- Free education in Australia’s public college and vocational training system known as TAFE [https://www.tafensw.edu.au/]
- The right to apply for government loans and discounts to study in Australia’s university system known as HECS HELP [http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist/helppayingmyfees/hecs-help/pages/hecs-help-welcome]
- The freedom to work, invest, do business, and buy and sell property
- The right to sponsor overseas relatives for Australian permanent visas
- Children born in Australia with one parent holding an Australian permanent visa become Australian citizens at birth
- The right to receive a New Zealand permanent residence permit [http://www.nzembassy.com/topic.cfm?CFID=27416028&CFTOKEN=16882002&c=18&l=60&s=go#Travelling%20to%20New%20Zealand] upon arrival in New Zealand
- Enjoyment of one of the highest standards of living in the world (Australia ranks number 2 after Norway out of 187 countries in the global human development index [http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/table-1-human-development-index-and-its-components])
I do not speak English can I still apply?
Yes. Many visa categories do not require English language proficiency. Some categories that do require English language proficiency also have a waiver provision that allows the English requirement to be waived in certain circumstances.
Can I include family members in my application?
Yes. An applicant may join in the application his/her partner (married, defacto, same sex) and all dependent children.
Can I include additional relatives in my application?
Yes. An applicant may also join in the application a relative of the applicant or of the partner that is single, living in the same household and dependent on the applicant. Relative includes grandparent, step-grandparent, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, uncle, step-uncle, aunt, step-aunt, nephew, step-nephew, niece and step-niece.
Can I apply for a further visa in Australia if I hold a visitor visa with condition 8503?
You must obtain a waiver of condition 8503 first. This is done by making a waiver request with DIBP and proving that since arrival in Australia “compelling” and “compassionate” circumstances have arisen that are beyond your control and that have caused a major change in your circumstances. Examples might include medical condition, accident, death of illness of close family or relative, unfitness to travel, significant hardship, natural disaster or civil unrest in applicant’s home country, or support from government.
Am I allowed to lodge more than one application at the same time?
Yes. By law, you can lodge multiple applications simultaneously and each one will be considered by DIBP on its own merits.
Can I appeal a decision to refuse my application?
If you applied in Australia, yes. If you applied overseas and were sponsored, nominated or invited to enter Australia, your sponsor, nominator or inviter can apply. An application for review is made with the Migration Review Tribunal [http://www.mrt-rrt.gov.au/].
What do you expect of me?
Pay our fees, work closely and co-operatively with us, follow our advice, and be patient.