Immigration Law
Visa Refusals, Section 501 Cancellations, Partner Visas & AAT Appeals
Whether your visa has been refused or cancelled, you are facing a character cancellation under section 501, need a partner visa or work sponsorship, or want to appeal a decision at the AAT — immigration errors can result in deportation and permanent exclusion. Submit your request and get connected with a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer.
⚠ If your visa has been refused or cancelled, you are in detention, or you have received a notice to depart — mention it clearly in the form so your request can be prioritised.
What You Can Submit
Immigration matters handled at all stages.
From initial visa applications and partner visas to visa refusals, character cancellations, and AAT appeals — submit your matter and the right professional will follow up.
Partner & Family Visas
Partner visas (subclass 820/801, 309/100), spouse visas, parent visas, child visas, and other family stream applications.
Work Visas & Sponsorship
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visas, Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), employer sponsorship, and skilled worker visa applications.
Student Visas
Student visa applications (subclass 500), conditions breaches, visa renewals, and transitioning from a student visa to another visa stream.
Business & Investor Visas
Business Innovation and Investment visas (subclass 188/888), significant investor stream, and entrepreneur visa pathways.
Citizenship & Naturalisation
Australian citizenship applications, citizenship by descent, eligibility assessments, residency requirement issues, and citizenship test matters.
Visa Refusals & Cancellations
Responding to visa refusals, requesting merits review at the AAT, ministerial intervention requests, and judicial review of immigration decisions.
Character & Deportation Issues
Section 501 character cancellations, deportation orders, detention matters, and appeals against decisions based on criminal history or character concerns.
Bridging Visas
Bridging visa applications, conditions, work rights, and maintaining lawful status while a substantive visa application is pending or under review.
Skilled Migration
Points-tested skilled visas (subclass 189, 190, 491), skills assessments, state/territory nomination, and SkillSelect expressions of interest.
When to Act
Immigration mistakes can have permanent consequences.
Unlike most areas of law, immigration errors — missed deadlines, incorrect applications, or unlawful status — can result in visa bans, deportation, or permanent exclusion from Australia.
Your visa has been refused and the AAT review deadline is running
A visa refusal triggers a strict AAT merits review deadline — typically 21 days for offshore decisions and 28 days for onshore decisions under the Migration Act 1958. Missing the deadline permanently extinguishes your right to review. A bridging visa may protect your lawful status while the review is on foot, but only if the application is lodged in time.
Your visa has been cancelled under section 501 due to character concerns
Section 501 of the Migration Act allows the Minister to cancel or refuse a visa where a person does not pass the character test — including based on a substantial criminal record or association with criminal groups. Mandatory cancellation applies for sentences of 12 months or more. Appeals to the AAT and the Federal Court are available, but the timeframes are short and the process is complex.
You are approaching unlawful non-citizen status
Becoming an unlawful non-citizen — even briefly — can trigger a 3-year re-entry ban under section 193 of the Migration Act and result in detention and removal. A bridging visa applied for before your current visa expires maintains lawful status. Acting before the expiry date protects your options; acting after dramatically limits them.
Your TSS or employer-sponsored visa is at risk because your sponsor is withdrawing
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS subclass 186) visas are tied to the sponsoring employer. If your employer withdraws sponsorship, is deregistered, or you resign, you may have 60 days to find a new sponsor or change visa streams before your visa is cancelled. Early advice maps the available pathways before the clock runs out.
A partner visa application has been refused or is experiencing significant delays
Partner visa applications (subclass 820/801 onshore, 309/100 offshore) are assessed in two stages and can take several years. Refusals — often based on insufficient evidence of a genuine relationship — can be reviewed at the AAT. Providing the right supporting documentation at the outset, and responding correctly to requests for information, significantly affects the outcome.
You want to apply for Australian citizenship and have residency or character concerns
Australian citizenship under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 requires meeting the general residence requirement — typically 4 years including 12 months as a permanent resident. Absences, character issues, and prior visa problems can affect eligibility. Ministerial discretion applications are available in some cases, but require careful preparation to succeed.
How It Works
One request. The right immigration professional.
Describe your immigration situation in plain language — you do not need to know the exact visa subclass or legal basis. A registered migration agent or immigration lawyer will review and follow up.
Submit Your RequestDescribe your situation
Submit the form with your contact details, state, the type of immigration matter, and a brief summary. Mention your current visa status and any deadlines.
Request is reviewed
Your matter is reviewed with the visa type, urgency, and location in mind so the right registered practitioner can be identified.
Follow-up is arranged
A registered migration agent or immigration lawyer contacts you to discuss your situation. Urgent matters — refusals, cancellations, detention — are treated as highest priority.
Information That Helps
What to include in your request.
The clearer your summary, the easier it is to identify the right immigration professional and assess the urgency of your situation.
Your current visa type and subclass, and its expiry date.
Your nationality and how long you have been in Australia.
The type of visa you are applying for or the decision you are challenging.
Any refusal or cancellation notices received, including the decision date.
Any AAT review deadlines or bridging visa conditions currently in place.
Any criminal history or character concerns that may be relevant to your visa.
Urgent immigration situations
If any of the following apply, include it clearly so your request can be flagged as urgent.
Submitting this form does not create a lawyer-client relationship and does not replace formal legal or migration advice.
Coverage
Immigration requests accepted from all states and territories.