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Immigration Blog and Latest News

Our staff have the knowledge to deal with all immigration problems, no matter how complex. Keep abreast of immigration updates with our blog posts below.
Visa Exclusion Periods (Public Interest Criteria 4014)
Immigration blog
Immigration

Visa Exclusion Periods (Public Interest Criteria 4014)

In certain circumstances, a foreign national may be prevented from being granted a visa to Australia, known as a visa exclusion period. These exclusion periods can be: permanent – for example, individuals who have been deported from Australia or had their visas cancelled for reasons of their character; or temporary - for example, certain people who have had their visas…
Immigration blog
25 May, 2023
General visa cancellation powers (s 116 visa cancellation)
Immigration blog
Cancellation

General visa cancellation powers (s 116 visa cancellation)

The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) have various powers to cancel visas under the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). This most commonly includes “character cancellations” and a broader “general cancellation” power. This article discusses the general cancellation powers under s 116 of the Act, and outlines the process when the Department are considering exercising this power. What are the…
Immigration blog
25 May, 2023
Ministerial discretions for the general residence test in Australian citizenship by conferral applications
Immigration blog
Citizenship

Ministerial discretions for the general residence test in Australian citizenship by conferral applications

Broadly speaking, s 21 of the Australian Citizenship Act (2007) (Cth) (Citizenship Act) allows for applications for Australian citizenship by conferral in 7 situations, with the most common being that an applicant satisfies the general eligibility criteria. Within the general eligibility criteria, applicants are required to pass one of the four residence requirements at the time of application, being the:…
Immigration blog
22 May, 2023
s48 of the Migration Act (bar from applying for visas onshore after visa refusal)
Immigration blog
Schedule 3

s48 of the Migration Act (bar from applying for visas onshore after visa refusal)

Foreign nationals who do not hold a substantive visa (i.e. they hold a bridging visa) and have had visa applications refused while they are in Australia, may be “barred” from making further substantial visa applications in Australia. This is referred to as a “s 48 bar” or “section 48 bar” which relates to the relevant provision in the Migration Act…
Immigration blog
19 May, 2023
“Member of the Family Unit” – Who can I include in my Australian visa application?
Immigration blog
Immigration

“Member of the Family Unit” – Who can I include in my Australian visa application?

When you apply for an Australian visa, in most instances you’re able to include certain family members in your visa application as dependents. This enables your family to be granted the same visa, for the same duration as you. There are restrictions on exactly which family members you can include. Typically, you can include someone who is known as a…
Immigration blog
9 May, 2023