FAQ

Is there a fee for an initial consultation?

Yes. We used to provide free initial consultations, but unfortunately we have found that this is no longer practical. We often need to spend considerable time taking instructions in order to comprehensively advise clients of their options. We believe it is fair that clients pay for high quality professional advice.

Our normal rates are $165 for an initial consultation (30 minutes) relating to your visa application options (click here for current discount). In general, an additional 30-60 minutes consultation is required refusal or cancellation (either by the Department or a tribunal) advice, or where health or character or other complex advice is required. See the our services page for more information.

Why does a visa cancellation or refusal consultation cost more?

The cost reflects the fact that the legal and factual issues that arise in cancellation and refusal matters are generally more complex and time-consuming to deal with than an initial visa option consultation. We take great care to consider all possible grounds of review, and we have an extremely strong track record of success in appeals to the Migration Review Tribunal and judicial review of tribunal decisions.

What visa subclasses can I apply for?

This depends entirely on your individual circumstances. We have experience with most visa subclasses, including General Skilled Migration (subclasses 189, 190, 489 and 485), the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (subclass 187), 482 visas, student visas and family visas such as partner and parent visas. After carefully considering your skills, qualifications, family relationships and other aspects of your situation, we will provide an overview of all of your visa options and the relative benefits of each one.

What is the difference between a migration agent and a migration lawyer?

Anyone who charges a fee to assist with a visa application or review process at the Migration Review Tribunal or Refugee Review Tribunal, even if they are a lawyer, must be a Registered Migration Agent (RMA). All Visa Law practitioners are both RMAs and qualified lawyers. We believe that our clients benefit from the very substantial additional training and experience we have as lawyers. Moreover, our fees are no higher than many non-lawyer RMAs.

What is the difference between a laywer and an Accredited Specialist Immigration lawyer?

There are over 66,200 lawyers in Australia. There are over 7,200 registered migration agents. There are about 44 LIV Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyers. There are over A lawyer's minimum qualifications are a law degree and (usually) a year of supervised practice. In most parts of Australia no study of immigration-specific law is required, and it tends only to be lawyers who are also Registered Migration agents who have completed further formal study of the Migration Law (typically only another six months or less). Often regular lawyers working in the Migration Advice field also provide services in a broad range of other areas - for example, criminal or commercial or family law. In our view the level of up-to-date knowledge required to be an effective migration lawyer does not lend itself to multi-disciplinary practice. The exception is Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyers who, after they graduate, are generally required to have worked predominantly in immigration law (usually also as a migration agent) full-time for five years and then be invited to sit a serious of rigorous exams (written, face-to-face before a panel of judges, and mock client files).

Can I book a face to face consultation with an Accredited Specialist Immigration lawyer?

Yes. We see clients in person at 22a / 255 Drummond Street, Carlton, Melbourne. We also have offices in the CBD at Level 27 / 101 Collins Street, Melbourne. You can contact us on 03 8609 1500 to book a consultation.

How can I get visa advice from a migration agent if I can't make it to your office?

If you cannot attend our Melbourne offices, you can still obtain a full assessment and advice by phone, email or Skype. Please call our office or email us to set up a consultation by one of these alternative methods.

What happens when I book a consultation?

We will confirm your booking via email, with details such as our address. You will also need to fill out an online consultation form at least a day before your appointment. This is so the migration lawyer who will advise you can understand the basics of your case before the consultation.

Do I still have to pay for a consultation if there is no visa I can apply for?

Yes. It is our job to give honest, accurate advice to our clients. Unfortunately, we often interview clients who have been encouraged to lodge a visa application that was entirely unfounded. Although it is very disappointing to hear that there are no visa options open to you, this advice will protect you from the unnecessary expense of making an application that is bound to fail.

How much is the visa application charge (VAC)?

The VAC charged by the Department of Immigration will vary depending on the visa subclass and the number of secondary applicants (family members) included in the application. During your consultation, we will an accurate estimate of the VAC payable in relation to the visa subclass you appear to be eligible for.

Why should I choose Visa Law and not another migration agent or lawyer?

We are experts in understanding immigration law and policy, both of which evolve constantly and quickly, particularly after changes in government. Rather than 'spread ourselves too thin', we focus solely on the area of immigration law. Please see our Why Choose Us page.

Can you find me a job?

We specialise in providing Australian immigration advice and assistance, and in preparing visa applications and tribunal and court applications. We do not provide recruitment services and we cannot find you a job in Australia.

If you already have an employer, but your employer is unsure about the sponsorship or nomination process, we will be very happy to provide a general overview of their part in the process.

How many consultations do I need before applying for my visa?

One consultation is generally all you need. However, this depends on the complexity of your case and on you providing full answers to our questions at our initial consultation.

My friend or relative wants to come to Australia - can I do the consultation for them?

We are able to provide initial consultations through friends or family members, provided that they are able to answer all questions accurately, including about health, character or visa history problems you might have.

We can only give advice based on the information we are given and if information is missing our advice cannot be accurate. An acceptable solution may be to have your friend or relative attend via Skype while you attend the initial consultation in person with us.