Partner Visa Migration Agent Sydney: Partner Visa Help From Lawyers

Written by
Weiwei Zhang, Principal Lawyer at My Migration Lawyers
Weiwei Zhang
Principal Lawyer
Published
October 14, 2026
37 min read
Reading Time
37 min read
Table Of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Couples who search for a partner visa migration agent Sydney usually want one thing: someone qualified to assess their case, prepare the application and deal with the Department of Home Affairs. My Migration Lawyers is a Sydney law firm at Level 1, 60 Martin Place that does this work on partner visas.
  • Registered migration agents and Australian lawyers can both give immigration assistance on partner visas. A lawyer is regulated as a legal practitioner and can also act in court proceedings, such as judicial review.
  • My Migration Lawyers acts on onshore Subclass 820, offshore Subclass 309 and Subclass 300 applications, Schedule 3 cases, sponsorship limitations, refusals and Administrative Review Tribunal review, and urgent lodgements before a visa expires.
  • Consultations are by video, so couples in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, western and south-western Sydney and elsewhere in New South Wales do not need to travel.
  • A refused partner visa can generally be taken to the Administrative Review Tribunal within 28 days after notification, or 7 days for a person in immigration detention, and that time cannot be extended.

A partner visa migration agent Sydney search is usually made by a couple who need practical help now. The Australian partner wants to sponsor a husband, wife, fiancé or de facto partner, and the couple want someone in Sydney who can take the partner visa from first advice to a decision. Many people type "partner visa migration agent Sydney" because "migration agent" is the term they have heard from friends, family or community groups.

My Migration Lawyers is a Sydney immigration law firm. The firm's office is at Level 1, 60 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000, and consultations are held by video. If you came here from a partner visa migration agent Sydney search, this page explains what the firm does on partner visas, how a lawyer differs from a registered migration agent, and how the firm works with couples across Sydney, from the CBD to Parramatta and western and south-western Sydney.

This is not a general guide to partner visa law. That information is already set out in the firm's complete guide to partner visas in Australia and on the firm's partner visa lawyers page. This page is about getting the right help in Sydney.

Partner visa migration agent Sydney: what couples are really searching for

Most people who search for a partner visa migration agent Sydney want a qualified professional who will assess the relationship, identify risks, prepare a strong application and manage everything the Department sends after lodgement.

The search term matters less than the result. A couple searching for a partner visa migration agent Sydney is usually in one of these situations:

  • Planning to apply. The couple are married or in a de facto relationship and want to lodge correctly the first time.
  • Running out of time. The applicant's current visa is about to expire and the application must be lodged quickly.
  • Facing a problem. The applicant has a visa refusal, a cancellation, an overstay or no substantive visa, or the sponsor has sponsored a partner before.
  • Already refused. The Department has refused the partner visa and the couple need to act before the review deadline.
  • Stuck in processing. The Department has sent a request for information or a natural justice letter, or the application has been waiting a long time.

Each of these needs a different response, and a good partner visa migration agent Sydney service should recognise which one applies. A couple planning ahead needs careful preparation. A couple whose visa expires next week needs an urgent partner visa lodgement. A refused couple needs the partner visa refusals team to read the decision record and lodge review on time.

The firm's Sydney location page for this work is partner visa lawyers in Sydney, and the firm's general Sydney page is immigration lawyers in Sydney. Both describe the same firm and the same office at Martin Place. Whichever page you land on, the partner visa migration agent Sydney help you receive comes from the same legal team.

Is My Migration Lawyers a partner visa migration agent Sydney couples can use?

My Migration Lawyers is a law firm, not a migration agent business, but it gives Sydney couples the partner visa help that people searching for a partner visa migration agent Sydney are looking for.

The firm advises on eligibility, plans the evidence, prepares the sponsorship and visa applications, lodges them in ImmiAccount, and acts as the authorised recipient for Department correspondence. It responds to requests for further information under section 56 of the Migration Act 1958 and to adverse information letters under section 57. Where a partner visa is refused, the firm acts on partner visa appeals in the Administrative Review Tribunal.

So, if your partner visa migration agent Sydney search was really a search for someone to run the whole application, the answer is yes. The firm does that work, and it does it as a legal practice. The firm's Principal is Weiwei Zhang.

Some couples prefer to read the firm's own short answers first. The FAQ on what My Migration Lawyers does and the FAQ on My Migration Lawyers in Sydney set out the basics in a few paragraphs. The FAQ on the firm's partner visa work covers the subclasses it handles.

Registered migration agent or lawyer: the factual difference

Registered migration agents and Australian lawyers can both lawfully give immigration assistance on partner visas, but they are regulated under different systems and a lawyer can also act in court.

This is a factual point, not a criticism. Many registered migration agents do careful, competent work. The difference matters only so that a couple making a partner visa migration agent Sydney comparison can choose the kind of help that fits their case. The firm's longer explanation is in migration agent versus immigration lawyer, and the partner-specific version is partner visa: migration agent or lawyer.

How registered migration agents are regulated

A registered migration agent is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. The agent must meet registration requirements and follow the Code of Conduct for registered migration agents. A registered migration agent can prepare and lodge visa applications, communicate with the Department and represent a client in the Administrative Review Tribunal.

How lawyers are regulated

An Australian lawyer holds a practising certificate issued under the legal profession laws of a State or Territory. In New South Wales, lawyers are regulated under the Legal Profession Uniform Law. A lawyer who gives immigration assistance is bound by professional conduct rules, including duties to the client and to the court, and by rules about costs disclosure and costs agreements. Lawyers with a practising certificate give immigration assistance without separately registering as migration agents.

Why the court difference can matter

A lawyer can act in court proceedings. If the Administrative Review Tribunal affirms a partner visa refusal and there is an arguable legal error, the next step may be judicial review in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The firm's article on partner visa judicial review explains when that is possible. A couple whose case may end up in court may prefer to start with a legal practice so that the same firm holds the file throughout.

Which one should a Sydney couple choose?

The right choice depends on the case, not on the label in the partner visa migration agent Sydney search. For a straightforward application, the most important thing is that the person helping you is properly qualified, explains the fees in writing and prepares the evidence carefully. For a case with a refusal history, a sponsorship limitation, a character issue or Schedule 3 criteria, couples often look for a law firm. The FAQ on choosing a lawyer or migration agent for a partner visa and the article on using a migration agent for a partner visa set out the questions to ask.

People who search for a partner visa migration agent Sydney should not feel that they searched for the wrong thing. They searched for help. This page explains that the help is available from a Sydney law firm.

Partner visa migration agent Sydney: where the firm works with couples

My Migration Lawyers has its office at Level 1, 60 Martin Place in the Sydney CBD and works with partner visa clients across Sydney by video consultation.

Video consultations mean that a couple in Parramatta, Blacktown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Bankstown, Campbelltown, Penrith, Hurstville, Chatswood or the Northern Beaches does not need to take time off work and travel into the city. The sponsor and the applicant can join the same video call from different places, which is common where the applicant is overseas or the couple live apart for work.

Sydney CBD and inner Sydney

The firm's office is at Martin Place. Couples who live or work in the CBD, the inner west, the eastern suburbs or North Sydney can see the firm's Sydney partner visa services. The FAQ on a partner visa lawyer in North Sydney and the FAQ on a partner visa lawyer in Chatswood cover the northern suburbs.

Parramatta and western Sydney

Western Sydney has a large number of partner visa sponsors and applicants. The firm's partner visa lawyers in Parramatta page and its immigration lawyers in Parramatta page explain how the firm assists clients there. The FAQ on a partner visa lawyer in western Sydney and the FAQ on a partner visa lawyer in Blacktown answer the common local questions.

South-western and southern Sydney

Couples in Liverpool, Fairfield, Bankstown, Campbelltown, Hurstville and the St George area also work with the firm by video. See the FAQ on a partner visa lawyer in Liverpool and the FAQ on a partner visa lawyer in Hurstville.

Beyond Sydney

Sponsors on the Central Coast, in Newcastle and in Wollongong use the same video process. The FAQs on a partner visa lawyer on the Central Coast and a partner visa lawyer in Wollongong explain this. The same partner visa migration agent Sydney process applies wherever the couple live. The firm also acts for couples outside New South Wales, as described on its partner visa lawyers in Melbourne page, where the firm works by video and has no Melbourne office.

A partner visa migration agent Sydney search often comes from a sponsor who lives in Sydney while the applicant is overseas. That is no obstacle. The firm regularly works with sponsors in Sydney and applicants abroad on the same file.

Connect with our friendly team

1300 040 300
Or fill in the form & we'll call you
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Partner visa migration agent Sydney help for onshore Subclass 820 applications

For a couple where the applicant is in Australia, My Migration Lawyers prepares and lodges the combined Subclass 820 and Subclass 801 application, manages the bridging visa position and responds to the Department until a decision is made.

The onshore pathway is the most common reason for a partner visa migration agent Sydney search. The applicant is often in Sydney on a student visa, a visitor visa, a working holiday visa or a skilled visa, and the couple want to apply before that visa ends. For these couples, partner visa migration agent Sydney help means one firm that manages the visa position and the relationship evidence together. The firm's commercial page on the Subclass 820 partner visa describes the service.

On an onshore matter, the firm's work usually includes:

  • Assessing eligibility. The firm checks whether the relationship meets the spouse or de facto definition, whether the 12 month de facto requirement applies or can be met another way, and whether the sponsor is eligible.
  • Checking the applicant's visa position. The firm checks the current visa, any no further stay condition, any section 48 bar and whether Schedule 3 criteria will apply.
  • Planning the evidence. The Department assesses four aspects of the relationship: the financial aspects, the nature of the household, the social aspects and the nature of the commitment. The firm plans the evidence around those aspects and the couple's real history.
  • Preparing relationship statements. Each partner gives one relationship statement in their own words. The firm helps each person tell the history accurately and consistently.
  • Form 888 statements. Supporting witnesses complete Form 888. The firm reviews them for accuracy. The article on Form 888 for a partner visa explains what they are.
  • Lodging and following up. The firm lodges in ImmiAccount, confirms the bridging visa and handles health and police check requests.

The firm's article on the onshore partner visa explains the pathway in detail, and the partner visa evidence checklist sets out the documents. Couples who want a quick answer on the work can read the FAQ on help with a Subclass 820 and 801 partner visa.

Partner visa migration agent Sydney: the bridging visa question

A valid onshore partner visa application usually brings a bridging visa, and the conditions on that bridging visa matter. Many Sydney applicants worry about work rights, study and travel while the application is processed. The firm's guides to the partner visa bridging visa and bridging visa work rights cover the common questions. Travel needs a Bridging visa B, which is explained in the article on the partner visa Bridging visa B.

The permanent stage

Partner visa migration agent Sydney enquiries do not end at lodgement. The Subclass 801 stage is usually assessed about two years after the combined application was lodged. The firm also acts at that stage, preparing updated evidence and responding to the Department. The article on the partner visa second stage explains what changes.

Offshore Subclass 309 and Subclass 300 for Sydney sponsors

Where the applicant is outside Australia, My Migration Lawyers acts for the Sydney sponsor and the overseas applicant together on the Subclass 309 partner visa or the Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa.

A large share of partner visa migration agent Sydney enquiries come from sponsors whose partner is overseas. The sponsor lives and works in Sydney. The applicant lives in the Philippines, India, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Colombia or another country. The couple need one firm to coordinate both sides. That coordination is what a partner visa migration agent Sydney search is really asking for when the applicant lives abroad.

Subclass 309 partner visa

The Subclass 309 partner visa is for a married or de facto applicant who applies outside Australia. The firm prepares the combined Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 application, plans the evidence of a relationship that may have been conducted partly at a distance, and manages the Department's requests. The article on the offshore partner visa covers the pathway and the article on the offshore partner visa lawyer covers the firm's role. Long distance relationships are common in these files, and the firm's guide to the long distance partner visa relationship explains how that history is presented.

Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa

The Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa is for an engaged couple who intend to marry. The applicant must be outside Australia when the application is made. The firm checks that the couple have met in person, that there is a genuine intention to marry and that the planned wedding date fits the visa. The FAQ on prospective marriage visa requirements is a short starting point.

Onshore or offshore?

Some couples who make a partner visa migration agent Sydney enquiry are unsure which pathway applies. The answer depends on where the applicant is at lodgement, the applicant's visa history and the couple's plans. The firm's comparison of onshore versus offshore partner visas and the article on which partner visa pathway fits explain the choice. Getting this wrong can make an application invalid, which is explained in the article on an invalid partner visa application.

Schedule 3 and expired visas: urgent lodgement for Sydney couples

If the applicant is in Australia without a substantive visa, the onshore partner visa application must meet the Schedule 3 criteria or show compelling reasons for not applying them, and My Migration Lawyers prepares that case.

Schedule 3 often comes up in a partner visa migration agent Sydney search because the applicant's visa has already expired or is about to. A person who applies after their last substantive visa has ended may have to satisfy Schedule 3 criteria of the Migration Regulations 1994. For partner visa applicants, the Department can waive those criteria where there are compelling reasons, which are commonly argued around the relationship, children and the circumstances that led to the visa ending.

The firm's commercial page on Schedule 3 waivers describes the service. The article on Schedule 3 criteria for a partner visa explains the criteria, and the article on the Schedule 3 waiver submission explains how the compelling reasons are put to the Department.

When a visa is about to expire

The simplest way to avoid Schedule 3 is often to lodge a valid onshore application while the applicant still holds a substantive visa. That is why timing matters so much. The firm's urgent visa lodgements service and the article on lodging a partner visa before visa expiry explain what can be done in a short time. The FAQ on what to do when your visa expires next week gives a quick answer.

A partner visa migration agent Sydney service that lodges in a rush must still get validity right. A rushed application still needs to be a valid application with a credible evidence base. The firm lodges what is needed for validity and then builds the evidence after lodgement where that is the safer course. The article on partner visa evidence after lodgement explains how this works.

Overstayers and applicants without a visa

Applicants who have overstayed, or who have no substantive visa because of a refusal or cancellation, need careful advice before lodging. The firm's articles on a partner visa after overstaying and a partner visa without a substantive visa explain the risks. Where a visa has been cancelled, the firm's visa cancellations page is relevant.

Sponsorship limitations and the sponsor's history

My Migration Lawyers assesses the Sydney sponsor's own history before lodging, because a sponsorship limitation or a relevant offence can stop the sponsorship being approved.

A partner visa migration agent Sydney search is often made by the sponsor, and the sponsor's history matters as much as the applicant's. The Migration Regulations limit sponsorship where the sponsor has previously sponsored a partner, or was themselves sponsored as a partner, within a set period, or has already sponsored two partners. These limits can be waived in compelling circumstances, which must be argued with evidence. A partner visa migration agent Sydney search by a sponsor who has sponsored before should lead to this assessment first.

The firm's page on partner visa sponsorship limitations describes this work. The article on when a sponsor cannot sponsor a partner visa explains the rules in detail.

Sponsor convictions and police checks

Since 18 November 2016, sponsors for the Subclass 820, Subclass 309 and Subclass 300 visas can be asked for police checks, and the Department must refuse to approve a sponsor with a significant criminal record for a relevant offence unless it is reasonable to approve the sponsorship. The firm's articles on the partner visa sponsor criminal record, the sponsor relevant offences and the sponsor police check set out the rules.

Sponsor eligibility

The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The firm's guide to partner visa sponsor eligibility covers this, and the article on partner visa sponsor obligations explains what the sponsor undertakes.

Partner visa migration agent Sydney help for de facto and same-sex couples

My Migration Lawyers acts for married, de facto and same-sex couples in Sydney on the same basis, and prepares the evidence to fit the way each relationship has actually been lived.

Many partner visa migration agent Sydney enquiries come from de facto couples. A de facto applicant usually has to show that the couple have been in the relationship for at least 12 months before the application is made, unless an exception applies. One exception is registration of the relationship. In New South Wales, a relationship can be registered with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and the firm's FAQ on how to register a de facto relationship in NSW explains the process. The firm's guide to the de facto partner visa explains the requirements.

Same-sex couples have the same partner visa rights as other couples. The firm's LGBTI partner visa page describes its work in this area. Some same-sex couples have a relationship that was private, or could not be open, in the applicant's home country. That affects the social evidence and has to be explained carefully. The FAQ on a private same-sex relationship and a partner visa covers this.

Couples who have not lived together for the whole relationship, or who live apart for work, also need careful preparation. The article on a partner visa without living together explains how the Department looks at these cases. A partner visa migration agent Sydney search from a couple in this situation should lead to a frank assessment of the evidence before anything is lodged.

Partner visa migration agent Sydney: arranged and cultural marriages

Sydney has many couples whose marriage was arranged by their families, or whose relationship followed cultural or religious practices that differ from a typical Australian relationship. The firm prepares these applications so that the Department understands the cultural context and the genuine commitment between the couple. The article on the arranged marriage partner visa and the article on cultural differences in a partner visa explain the approach.

Partner visa migration agent Sydney: family violence and relationship breakdown

If the relationship has ended because of family violence, the applicant may still be able to continue towards permanent residence, and My Migration Lawyers advises on that pathway.

Not every partner visa migration agent Sydney enquiry is about a happy couple preparing to apply. Some come from applicants whose relationship has broken down during processing, sometimes because of violence or abuse by the sponsor. The family violence provisions in Division 1.5 of the Migration Regulations 1994 exist so that an applicant does not have to stay in a violent relationship to keep the visa pathway.

The firm's family violence partner visa page describes the service. The article on partner visa family violence explains the provisions, and the article on family violence evidence explains what the Department accepts. Anyone in immediate danger should call 000.

Where a relationship ends for other reasons, the applicant must tell the Department and should get advice quickly about any other options. The article on partner visa relationship breakdown explains what happens next.

Partner visa refusals and ART review for Sydney couples

If a partner visa is refused, My Migration Lawyers reads the decision record, advises on review and lodges the application with the Administrative Review Tribunal within the deadline.

Refusal is the most urgent reason for a partner visa migration agent Sydney search. The decision letter sets out the review rights and the deadline. A partner visa migration agent Sydney service at this stage must work to that deadline. Under section 347(3) of the Migration Act 1958, an application for review of a partner visa refusal must generally be made within 28 days after the day the applicant is notified of the decision, or within 7 days for a person in immigration detention. This time cannot be extended.

As at October 2026, the Administrative Review Tribunal application fee for review of these migration decisions is $3,580. A reduced fee of 50 per cent may be available in cases of financial hardship, on application to the Tribunal.

Who applies for review

For an onshore Subclass 820 refusal, the visa applicant applies for review. For an offshore Subclass 309 refusal, the visa applicant applies for review in their own name. For a Subclass 300 refusal, the sponsor applies. The firm's article on who can lodge a partner visa appeal explains this, and the FAQ on who applies for review of an offshore refusal gives the short answer.

What the firm does on review

The firm's partner visa appeal lawyer Sydney article describes the work for Sydney couples. In summary, the firm:

  • reads the refusal decision record and identifies each finding the Tribunal must deal with;
  • lodges the review application on time;
  • obtains the Department's file where needed;
  • prepares written submissions and new evidence that respond to the actual reasons for refusal; and
  • prepares the applicant, the sponsor and witnesses for the Tribunal hearing.

The firm's partner visa refusals page, its general visa refusals page and its urgent ART visa refusal applications page describe the service. The articles on the partner visa appeal deadline, the partner visa ART hearing and partner visa ART fees explain the process. A couple deciding between review and a fresh application can read partner visa appeal versus reapplication.

A partner visa migration agent Sydney search made after a refusal should be followed by action the same week. The deadline runs from notification, not from the date the couple find help.

The My Migration Lawyers Difference

hand-coins

Affordable Fees

Competitive professional fees make experienced legal representation more accessible.
scale

Complex Matter Capability

Experienced representation when complications arise.
calendar-clock

Instalment Payment Options

Pay professional fees in manageable instalments throughout your matter.
shield-check

Two-Day Cooling-off Period

You receive a two-business-day cooling-off period after signing the costs agreement.

How a partner visa matter runs with My Migration Lawyers

A partner visa matter with My Migration Lawyers starts with a paid video consultation, moves to a written costs agreement with a fixed fee, and then follows a planned sequence of assessment, evidence, lodgement and Department correspondence.

Couples who arrive from a partner visa migration agent Sydney search often ask what will actually happen after they make contact. The steps are set out below.

Step 1: consultation request

The couple complete the consultation request form on the book a consultation page. The firm then arranges a video consultation. The FAQ on booking a consultation with My Migration Lawyers and the article on the partner visa lawyer consultation explain what to prepare.

Step 2: advice and strategy

In the consultation, the firm gives the partner visa migration agent Sydney advice the couple came for. It identifies the right subclass, the risks in the case and the evidence the couple will need. Where there is a refusal, a cancellation, Schedule 3, a sponsorship limitation or a character issue, the firm says so plainly.

Step 3: costs agreement and fixed fee

The firm charges a fixed fee per matter. The fee and the stages of work are set out in a written costs agreement before the work starts. The article on the partner visa lawyer costs agreement explains what a costs agreement should contain, and the article on fixed fee partner visa lawyers explains how fixed fees work. Government charges, such as the visa application charge and any Tribunal fee, are separate from the firm's fees.

Step 4: evidence and preparation

The firm gives the couple a document list for their case and reviews what they provide. It prepares the application forms, organises the evidence and checks the relationship statements and Form 888 statements for consistency. The article on partner visa evidence organisation explains why presentation matters.

Step 5: lodgement

The firm lodges the sponsorship and visa applications and confirms the lodgement and bridging visa position where relevant. The firm becomes the point of contact for the Department.

Step 6: requests, letters and decision

The firm responds to any section 56 request for information and any section 57 natural justice letter within the time given. It updates the Department about changes of circumstances and prepares for any partner visa interview.

Common situations Sydney couples bring to My Migration Lawyers

The firm sees a recurring set of situations from Sydney couples, and each one calls for a different first step.

The scenarios below are general and hypothetical. They are not client stories. They show how a partner visa migration agent Sydney enquiry is usually handled once the facts are known.

A student visa holder in Parramatta with a visa ending soon

An applicant on a student visa lives with an Australian citizen partner in Parramatta. The student visa ends in three weeks. The first question is whether there is a no further stay condition and whether a valid onshore application can be lodged before the visa ends. The firm's article on a partner visa on a student visa covers this. If the timing is tight, this becomes an urgent partner visa migration agent Sydney matter, and lodgement comes first.

A sponsor in the CBD with a fiancée overseas

A sponsor works in the Sydney CBD and is engaged to a partner in another country. They have met in person and plan to marry within the next year. The firm assesses whether the Subclass 300 visa or marrying first and applying for the Subclass 309 visa suits them better. The FAQ comparing the fiancé visa and the partner visa explains the choice.

A visitor visa holder who married in Sydney

An applicant came to Sydney on a visitor visa, met the sponsor before travelling, and the couple married in Australia. The visitor visa may carry a no further stay condition. The firm checks the visa grant notice before anything else. The article on moving from a tourist visa to a partner visa explains the issues.

A refused couple in south-western Sydney

A couple in Liverpool receive a refusal because the Department was not satisfied the relationship was genuine. The applicant has 28 days from notification to apply for review. The firm reads the decision record, lodges the review and plans new evidence aimed at each finding. The article on partner visa refused for insufficient evidence explains how these refusals are addressed.

In each scenario, the partner visa migration agent Sydney help that matters most is fast, accurate advice on the first step.

What to check before choosing a partner visa migration agent Sydney or a lawyer

Before engaging anyone on a partner visa, check that the person is legally entitled to give immigration assistance, that the fee is in writing, and that nobody promises a result.

These checks apply whether your partner visa migration agent Sydney search leads you to a registered migration agent or to a law firm:

  • Entitlement to give immigration assistance. A registered migration agent should be on the public register of migration agents. A lawyer should hold a current practising certificate.
  • Written fees. The fee, what it covers and what is extra should be in writing before work starts.
  • No guarantees. No one can lawfully guarantee a partner visa grant. The FAQ on whether a lawyer can guarantee a partner visa explains why.
  • Clear communication. You should know how the firm will contact you and how quickly it replies.
  • Access to your application. You should be able to get a copy of what is lodged in your name. The article on getting a copy of a partner visa application explains how.

The firm's article on questions to ask a partner visa lawyer and the article on partner visa lawyer red flags give a fuller list. Couples comparing firms in the city can also read the firm's best partner visa lawyer Sydney article, which explains how to assess any practitioner, and the article on the best migration lawyer in Sydney.

Changing from a migration agent to a lawyer

Some couples already have a migration agent and want a second opinion or a change. That is common and lawful. The firm's articles on changing partner visa lawyers and on a partner visa second opinion explain how a file is transferred, and the FAQ on a lawyer taking over a partner visa gives the short answer. Where an earlier application was refused because of a preparation problem, the article on a partner visa refused because of an agent mistake explains the options. That article is about fixing an outcome, not about blaming anyone.

Partner visa migration agent Sydney: partner visa help from My Migration Lawyers

My Migration Lawyers acts for Sydney sponsors and applicants on partner visas at every stage, from first advice to Tribunal review, from its office at Level 1, 60 Martin Place and by video consultation.

The firm's partner visa practice covers the full range of matters that lead people to a partner visa migration agent Sydney search. It prepares onshore Subclass 820 and Subclass 801 applications, offshore Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 applications, and Subclass 300 prospective marriage visas. It runs urgent lodgements when a visa is about to expire. It prepares Schedule 3 waiver submissions for applicants without a substantive visa. It argues sponsorship limitation waivers and deals with sponsor police checks and convictions. It responds to section 56 requests and section 57 letters. When a partner visa is refused, it takes the matter to the Administrative Review Tribunal and, where there is a legal error, considers judicial review.

The firm deals with complex partner visa cases and acts in many matters of this type, including cases with refusal histories, cancellations, overstays, short relationships, long periods living apart, previous sponsorships and character issues. The firm's articles on complex partner visa applications and the complex partner visa lawyer explain how these cases are approached. No firm can promise an outcome, and My Migration Lawyers does not. What the firm provides is careful assessment, honest advice about risk, and preparation that responds to the actual legal criteria and the Department's concerns.

The firm's Principal is Weiwei Zhang. Sydney couples are kept informed by email at each stage, so that the partner visa migration agent Sydney help they asked for comes with a clear record of what has been done.

If you searched for a partner visa migration agent Sydney because you need help with a partner visa now, the next step is simple. Book a Consultation with My Migration Lawyers through the consultation request form. If your matter is urgent, you can also call 1300 040 300.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is My Migration Lawyers a partner visa migration agent in Sydney?

My Migration Lawyers is a Sydney law firm rather than a migration agent business, and it provides the partner visa help that people searching for a partner visa migration agent Sydney usually want. The firm assesses eligibility, prepares and lodges the sponsorship and visa applications, deals with the Department of Home Affairs and acts on refusals in the Administrative Review Tribunal. Its office is at Level 1, 60 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000, and consultations are held by video.

What is the difference between a migration agent and a lawyer for a partner visa?

Both can lawfully give immigration assistance on a partner visa, but they are regulated differently. A registered migration agent is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority and follows the Code of Conduct. A lawyer holds a practising certificate and is regulated under State or Territory legal profession laws, including rules on costs agreements. A lawyer can also act in court proceedings, such as judicial review after a Tribunal decision. Neither option is right for everyone; the case decides which fits.

Do I need to visit the Martin Place office for a partner visa consultation?

No. Partner visa consultations with My Migration Lawyers are held by video, so you do not need to travel to Martin Place. The sponsor and the applicant can join the same video call from different places, including from overseas. Documents are exchanged electronically and the firm communicates by email throughout the matter. This suits couples in Parramatta, western and south-western Sydney and regional New South Wales, as well as couples where one partner lives abroad.

Can a partner visa migration agent Sydney search find help for a partner overseas?

Yes. Many Sydney sponsors have a partner who lives overseas, and My Migration Lawyers acts for the sponsor and the applicant together on the Subclass 309 partner visa or the Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa. The firm coordinates both sides of the application, plans the evidence of a relationship that may have been partly long distance, and manages the Department's requests. The applicant does not need to come to Australia for the consultation.

Does My Migration Lawyers help with the onshore Subclass 820 partner visa in Sydney?

Yes. The firm prepares and lodges the combined Subclass 820 and Subclass 801 application for applicants who are in Australia. The work includes checking the applicant's current visa and any conditions, assessing the relationship against the spouse or de facto definition, planning evidence across the four assessed aspects of the relationship, checking each relationship statement and the Form 888 statements, and dealing with the bridging visa. The firm also acts at the permanent Subclass 801 stage.

My visa expires soon. Can a Sydney partner visa application still be lodged in time?

Often, yes, if action is taken quickly. Lodging a valid onshore partner visa application while the applicant still holds a substantive visa can usually avoid the Schedule 3 criteria that apply to applicants without a visa. My Migration Lawyers runs urgent partner visa lodgements where the visa is about to expire. The application must still be valid and properly supported, so the firm lodges what is required for validity and then builds the evidence after lodgement where appropriate.

Can I get a partner visa in Sydney if my visa has already expired?

It may still be possible. An applicant in Australia without a substantive visa must usually satisfy the Schedule 3 criteria of the Migration Regulations 1994 or show compelling reasons for not applying them. For partner visas, those criteria can be waived where compelling reasons exist. My Migration Lawyers assesses the applicant's visa history and prepares the Schedule 3 waiver submission. Advice should be obtained before lodging, because the history and timing affect the case.

How long do I have to appeal a partner visa refusal?

An application for review of a partner visa refusal must generally be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal within 28 days after the day you are notified of the decision. For a person in immigration detention, the time limit is 7 days. The time cannot be extended. You should check the decision letter for the exact notification date and obtain advice immediately, because an application made late is not a valid application and the Tribunal cannot consider it.

What does the ART charge to review a partner visa refusal?

As at October 2026, the Administrative Review Tribunal application fee for review of a partner visa refusal is $3,580. A reduced fee of 50 per cent may be available in cases of financial hardship, but a request for the reduction must be made to the Tribunal. This fee is a government charge paid to the Tribunal and is separate from any professional fee. The fee should be checked on the Tribunal website at the time of lodging.

Who applies for review if an offshore Subclass 309 visa is refused?

The visa applicant applies for review of a Subclass 309 refusal in their own name. This follows the 2023 amendments to the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994 that gave offshore partner visa applicants their own review right. For an onshore Subclass 820 refusal, the applicant also applies. For a Subclass 300 refusal, the sponsor applies. The person who applies must be the correct person, or the review application may not be valid.

Can My Migration Lawyers help if my sponsor has sponsored a partner before?

Yes. The Migration Regulations limit sponsorship where the sponsor has previously sponsored a partner, or was sponsored as a partner, within a set period, or has already sponsored two partners. These limits can be waived where there are compelling circumstances. My Migration Lawyers assesses the sponsor's history before lodging and, where a limitation applies, prepares the evidence and submissions needed to ask the Department to approve the sponsorship despite the limitation.

Does My Migration Lawyers charge fixed fees for partner visas?

Yes. My Migration Lawyers charges a fixed fee per matter. The fee and the stages of work are set out in a written costs agreement before work begins, so the couple know what is covered. Government charges, such as the visa application charge, health examinations, police certificates and any Tribunal fee, are separate from the firm's professional fee. The firm discusses the scope of work in the consultation, once it understands the case.

Can I switch from my migration agent to My Migration Lawyers during processing?

Yes. A client can change representatives at any time while a partner visa is being processed. The new representative gives the Department the required notice and becomes the point of contact. My Migration Lawyers reviews what has already been lodged before taking further steps, so that any gaps or inconsistencies can be addressed. Changing representatives does not affect the validity of the application or the applicant's bridging visa.

Does a partner visa migration agent Sydney service cover Parramatta and western Sydney?

Yes. My Migration Lawyers acts for couples in Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Liverpool, Fairfield, Bankstown, Campbelltown and across western and south-western Sydney. Because consultations are by video and documents are exchanged electronically, couples do not need to travel to the Martin Place office. The process is the same for clients in the Sydney CBD and in outer suburbs, and the sponsor and applicant can join from different locations.

Can anyone guarantee my partner visa will be granted?

No. The decision on a partner visa is made by the Department of Home Affairs, or by the Administrative Review Tribunal on review, applying the legal criteria to the evidence. No migration agent or lawyer can lawfully guarantee a grant. A practitioner can assess the risks honestly, prepare the application carefully and respond properly to the Department's concerns. A promise of a guaranteed outcome is a reason for caution when choosing who to engage.

What should I bring to a partner visa consultation in Sydney?

Bring both partners' passports, the applicant's current visa details, any previous refusal or cancellation letters, and a short timeline of the relationship. If there is a marriage certificate or relationship registration, have it ready. If the sponsor has sponsored a partner before or has any criminal history, mention it. If a decision has been refused, send the full decision record before the consultation so that the review deadline and the reasons can be checked.

Connect with our friendly team

1300 040 300
Or fill in the form & we'll call you
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Weiwei Zhang, Principal Lawyer at My Migration Lawyers
Weiwei Zhang
Principal Lawyer

Weiwei Zhang is the Principal Lawyer and Managing Director of My Migration Lawyers. My Migration Lawyers is one of Australia's leading immigration law firms, dedicated exclusively to Australian immigration law. The firm represents individuals, families and businesses across all areas of migration law, with particular expertise in complex immigration matters, Partner Visas, Protection Visas, corporate migration, visa refusals, Administrative Review Tribunal reviews, judicial reviews and visa cancellations.

Categories
partner-visas