Question: What can you do for me that I can't do myself?

Answer: Applications can be prepared and lodged by applicants in person. As with any area of law however if you are to avoid costly mistakes and delays it pays to have a good understanding of the legal criteria applicable. Little or no assistance is available from the busy staff of the Department of Immigration and the information available on the Department's website can be difficult to understand. Furthermore there are threshold requirements for many visa applications that are not always apparent and errors are frequently not capable of rectification. For these reasons applicants are strongly advised to obtain professional assistance before lodging an application with the Department.

Question: Is there any advantage using a Migration Agent to assist me with my application?

Answer: Definitely. A competent and experienced Migration Agent can help you decide the correct visa category to use and to avoid time consuming and costly errors. With more than 140 available visas it is easy to make a mistake. Moreover, providing incorrect supporting documentation can add significantly to processing times.

Question: If I use your services will my visa application be processed more quickly?

Answer: Despite the claims made by some migration agents, Australian Immigration authorities do not, as a matter of policy, process Agent prepared applications more expeditiously than other applications. However, our experience shows that well prepared applications are processed significantly more quickly than poorly prepared applications. Our commitment is to ensure that you lodge a well prepared and well documented application and thus minimise your waiting time.

Question: How do I know I am not paying too much for your services?

Answer: There is no Government prescribed fee schedule for migration agents. Agents are required by law to charge a 'reasonable' fee for their services. By comparing our fees with those of other agents you will find that our fees are mid range. Given that we are trained and experienced lawyers as well as being registered migration agents, AND that we are accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as Immigration Law Specialists our fees are reasonable. Email us for a quote.

Question: How do I know you are competent and trustworthy?

Answer: Our competence and trustworthiness are demonstrated by our high standing in both the Legal Profession and the Migration Agent Profession. Michael Thornton has served on the Board of the Migration Institute of Australia and on the Migration Agents Registration Authority. He is a Fellow of the MIA and is frequently called upon to play a leadership role in the profession. Michael has also served on the Council of the Law Institute of Victoria.

Our firm has successfully handled thousands of visa applications over a period of almost 20 years. We also place great emphasis on continuing education for ourselves and our staff so that we keep up to date with ever changing migration laws and procedures. You can check our credentials by reading our resumes and by visiting the MARA website.

Question: Can you handle my case even though I am not in Australia at present?

Answer: Yes. Many of our clients live in other countries and we communicate by phone, email and fax very effectively. It does not mater where you are located in the world.

Question: Is it better for me to use a migration agent in my own country or an Australian based agent?

Answer: It is better to use an Australian based registered migration agent who is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia. Preferably you should choose one who is also a registered lawyer and a specialist immigration practitioner. You can check our lawyer registration on the Law Institute's website. The reason for this is that lawyers are subject to additional controls and educational requirements and must be covered by professional indemnity insurance for their clients' protection.

Question: Do you provide an initial free assessment?

Answer: Yes, just complete our assessment form or email us your CV or Resume.

Question: I'm an Australian and want to marry my fiancee overseas and then sponsor my spouse for permanent residence in Australia. Should I plan to marry overseas or in Australia?

Answer: Applicants who have been married for only a short period of time often have trouble satisfying the Immigration Department that their marriage is genuine and ongoing. This is particularly true if, having been married in the applicant's home country, the sponsor then returns to Australia after only a week or two to resume employment, leaving the applicant in his or her own country to await visa processing.

In this situation it is difficult, bordering on impossible, to prove a genuine and ongoing relationship as a married couple. It is usually better to apply for a Prospective Marriage visa so that an applicant's fiancee can travel to Australia to be married. In this case it is only necessary to show that there is a genuine intention to marry and then to live together as spouses thereafter. This test is much easier to meet.

Question: How do I know if my occupational skills will be acceptable in Australia?

Answer: If you are intending to apply in the skilled visa categories you should first check the Skilled Occupations List to ensure that your occupation is on the list. If you need the ASCO definition for your occupation, visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics website and do a search on the ASCO number. If you still have a question on this email us.