Who Can Help Me With My Subclass 820/801 Partner Visa Application?

Who is allowed to help with a Subclass 820/801 application?

The people allowed to help with a Subclass 820/801 application for a fee are Australian lawyers and registered migration agents. Lawyers hold a practising certificate and are regulated by the legal profession bodies, while registered migration agents are regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Both can lodge the application and correspond with the Department. Our article on partner visa migration agent or lawyer explains the factual differences.

What should I look for in someone helping with my Subclass 820/801?

Someone helping with a Subclass 820/801 should have a clear focus on migration law, explain the scope of their work and the fee in writing before work starts, and communicate directly with both partners. Couples should also ask how the representative handles requests for information, refusals and complex histories such as condition 8503 or Schedule 3 issues. Our article on choosing Australian migration lawyers sets out practical questions to ask.

When is professional help most useful on an onshore partner visa?

Professional help is most useful on an onshore partner visa where the applicant does not hold a substantive visa, holds a visa with condition 8503, has an earlier refusal, or has a short or interrupted relationship history. These issues decide whether a valid application can be made in Australia at all. Our page on Schedule 3 waivers and our article on the Subclass 820 no further stay condition 8503 explain two of the most common barriers.

What does help with the Subclass 820/801 usually cover?

Help with the Subclass 820/801 usually covers an eligibility assessment, the application and sponsorship, the relationship statement and Form 888 statements, the evidence across the four aspects of the relationship, responses to Department requests, and the permanent stage two years after lodgement. Our page on the Subclass 820 visa and our Subclass 820 partner visa article explain each part.

Can I get help after I have already lodged?

An applicant can get help after lodging a Subclass 820/801 application, at any stage before a decision, by appointing a new representative with Form 956. The new representative reviews what was lodged and fills any gaps. Our article on hiring an immigration lawyer after visa lodgement explains the change.

How are fees for Subclass 820/801 help usually charged?

Fees for Subclass 820/801 help are usually charged either as a fixed fee for a defined scope or on a time basis, and the costs should be set out in a written costs agreement. A fixed fee gives the couple certainty before work begins. Our article on fixed-fee immigration lawyers explains how fixed fees work.

How does My Migration Lawyers act on Subclass 820/801 applications?

My Migration Lawyers is a Sydney law firm, led by Principal Lawyer Weiwei Zhang, that acts on Subclass 820/801 applications for couples across Australia by video consultation and email. The firm works on fixed fees agreed before work starts, tests the onshore criteria before anything is lodged, and stays on the matter through requests, the temporary grant and the permanent stage. Couples can read about Weiwei Zhang and our partner visa lawyers.