The Australian Department of Immigration receives thousands of visa applications every year. Many of these applications are approved but others are rejected, both for serious reasons such as fraud or ineligibility, and very often for small errors, imperfections or misunderstandings.
The application of a visa is a delicate process and can sometimes be complicated, as it requires great attention to the information that is provided and often a lot of precision in the details.
Today it is very difficult to communicate with the Immigration Department to solve problems: if it was once possible to receive telephone assistance from the Case Officers, today this is no longer possible and the risk is therefore to waste money and time.
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It is therefore important to be well informed about the necessary requirements for your application to be successful.
Here are 10 tips for the success of your application:
1. Demonstrate what you declare with evidence
Qualifications and professional experience must be demonstrated, as must relationships. Everything that is declared must be able to be demonstrated with evidence: the word is not enough, the information must be verifiable.
It is also important that the evidence is consistent and does not leave room for possible doubts. Some may be more influential than others, for example government documents, pay slips, bank statements and tax returns are certainly great for proving your employment.
Likewise, a joint bank account, marriage certificate, and proof of cohabitation such as a rental agreement or utility bills can come in handy if you are applying for a visa partner. It will thus be possible to demonstrate that the relationship is lasting and genuine.
2. Be consistent
Immigration will check all the information you provide and any previous visa requests, to verify the truthfulness and consistency of your declarations.
Having to clarify a small inconsistency, however minimal it may be, can cost you great delays in the process and a lot of money for professional advice, as well as a potential risk of rejection. It is therefore vital to always provide consistent information.
3. Be accurate
It is important to always check and double-check everything. The history of any previous visas must correspond 100% to the declarations: often email or facebook can help to confirm dates and details entered in the forms. Being as detailed and accurate as possible always helps the successful application.
4. Be honest
Honesty during the process is essential to avoid serious consequences on any future applications.
This rule is especially important for form 80, relating to identity and character. Lying about one’s identity or even past minor crimes can have serious consequences even up to 10 years later. Another important thing is to provide the information in their context, in order to avoid possible misunderstandings from the outset.
5. Be organized
Organizing your documents in a logical and consistent order can make the process faster and easier for both you and the Case Officers. Highlighting relevant sections in the documents, making sure that they are in chronological order and oriented in the same direction are small recommendations.
In the event that a document requires a translation, be sure to deliver both the original and the certified translation.
It is also advisable to name the digital files with a clear description (“Passport”, “Medical Certificate”, “Birth Certificate” etc.) and keep track of the documents sent and the corresponding dates.
6. Do not underestimate the importance of public domain information and social profiles.
the Immigration Department will also check your history on social media and will verify your educational background with the institutions you mentioned. It is essential that all information coincide, without forgetting therefore to pay attention to the details shared on your facebook profiles.
7. Stick to deadlines
Meeting deadlines is very important, as Immigration is not very flexible on delays. Also remember to check and always be aware of the expiration dates of your documents.
8. Pay attention to details
Accuracy is essential, especially when you need to provide important details such as dates.
9. Make sure you apply for the right visa
Depending on your needs, your skills and future intentions, you can choose the visa that’s right for you: a complete list of visas that can be applied for is on the government website.
10. Consult a Migration Agent
A Migration Agent registered with MARA is able to advise you on the most appropriate visa, assist you in delivering a well-made application and guide you with his knowledge of laws and procedures. Contacting a Migration Agent is not always necessary but for the most complex cases it can certainly make the process easier and faster.
If you need assistance in choosing the most suitable visa for you, contact us!
If you want to know how to choose your Migration Agent read here, or contact ours!