Can I Get a Partner Visa Lawyer on a Fixed Fee?

What does a fixed fee for a partner visa usually cover?

A fixed fee for a partner visa usually covers a defined scope of work for a defined stage, such as assessing eligibility, preparing and lodging the application, and managing it until a decision. The costs agreement should list what is included, for example the relationship statement, review of Form 888 statements and responses to requests from the Department, and what is not included. Our article on fixed fee immigration lawyers explains how fixed fee arrangements are usually structured.

Is the visa application charge included in a lawyer's fixed fee?

The visa application charge is not usually included in a lawyer's fixed fee, because it is a government charge paid to the Department when the application is lodged. Health examinations, police certificates and translations are also usually paid separately to the people who provide them. A clear costs agreement separates these amounts from professional fees so that the total cost is understood from the start. Our article on the partner visa cost sets out the government charges.

Why do some partner visa lawyers charge in stages?

Some partner visa lawyers charge in stages because a partner visa is a long process with a temporary stage and a permanent stage, often separated by two years or more. Staged fixed fees let the client pay for work as it is done, and they allow the scope to be reviewed if the case changes, for example after a request for information or a refusal. Our guide to the partner visa two-stage process explains how the stages work.

What should I check before agreeing to a fixed fee?

Before agreeing to a fixed fee, a client should check the exact scope, what happens if the Department asks for more information, whether a Schedule 3 submission or waiver request is included, and how a refusal or Tribunal review would be charged. Lawyers in Australia must generally give clients written disclosure of legal costs, so these points should be in writing. Our articles on partner visa lawyer fees and immigration lawyer fees in Australia list further questions to ask.

Does a fixed fee mean less work on my case?

A fixed fee does not mean less work on a case, because the scope of the work is agreed before the fee is set. For complex cases, such as those involving Schedule 3, condition 8503 or an earlier refusal, the fixed fee is normally set after the complexity is assessed, so that the work the case needs is included. A clear scope protects both the client and the lawyer. Our article on complex partner visa applications explains what extra work those cases involve.

How does My Migration Lawyers set fixed fees for partner visas?

My Migration Lawyers sets fixed fees for partner visas after a paid consultation in which the client's relationship, visa history and any complicating issues are assessed. The firm then confirms in a written costs agreement the work included in each stage and the government charges the client will pay separately, so there are no hourly bills. The firm, led by Principal Lawyer Weiwei Zhang, acts for clients across Australia and overseas by video and email. Information about our partner visa lawyers is available before booking, and a consultation can be requested through the form on this page.