How Do I Find a Migration Lawyer Near Me for a Partner Visa?

Do I need a migration lawyer in my own city for a partner visa?

A migration lawyer in your own city is not needed for a partner visa, because partner visa applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount and the Department deals with them in the same way wherever the couple lives. The law that applies is national, so a lawyer in Sydney applies the same Migration Act and Regulations as a lawyer in Perth or Hobart. What matters is that the lawyer holds a practising certificate and regularly acts in partner visa matters. Our guide to the partner visa online application explains how lodgement works.

How does a partner visa lawyer work with clients remotely?

A partner visa lawyer works with clients remotely through video consultations, email and secure transfer of documents. Both partners can join the same video call even when one is overseas, and documents such as passports, relationship evidence and Form 888 statements are provided electronically. Remote work also suits couples where the applicant is offshore for a Subclass 309, because the sponsor in Australia and the partner overseas can be advised together. Our page on the Subclass 309 visa covers the offshore pathway.

Are there local rules that differ by state?

Local rules that differ by state mainly concern relationship registration. New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT have relationship registers, and a registered relationship can remove the de facto 12-month requirement under regulation 2.03A. Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not have relationship registers. A lawyer in another state can still advise on whether registration is available where the couple lives. Our article on the de facto partner visa explains the 12-month rule.

What if my partner visa is refused and goes to the Tribunal?

A refused partner visa that goes to the Administrative Review Tribunal can also be handled remotely, because Tribunal hearings can be held by video and documents are lodged electronically. The review is applied for through the Tribunal's online system, and written submissions and evidence are sent to the Tribunal before the hearing. The time to apply for review is short and strictly applied, so the choice of lawyer should be made quickly rather than based on location. Our article on the partner visa ART review process explains each step.

Which cities does My Migration Lawyers act in?

My Migration Lawyers acts for partner visa clients in every Australian state and territory, and for Australian sponsors whose partners live overseas. The firm has published pages for couples in several cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Clients in other places are advised in exactly the same way.

How can My Migration Lawyers help if I am not in Sydney?

My Migration Lawyers helps couples outside Sydney by running the whole partner visa matter by video and email, from the first consultation to the grant or a Tribunal review, without the couple needing to travel. The firm's office is at Level 1, 60 Martin Place, Sydney, and its work is led by Principal Lawyer Weiwei Zhang. Couples anywhere can learn more about the firm's partner visa lawyers and request a consultation through the form on this page.