Immigration Lawyers Sydney:What We Do for You

The immigration lawyers Sydney team at My Migration Lawyers assesses your visa options, prepares applications, responds to the Department of Home Affairs and represents eligible clients after a visa refusal or visa cancellation.
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Australian immigration matters involve more than completing forms. Your current visa, immigration history, previous applications, eligibility, evidence and timing all affect the pathways available. As immigration lawyers Sydney clients instruct for complex matters, we review each of these before recommending a strategy, and we check your immigration history against the Department's records ourselves.

If a decision has already been made, our immigration lawyers Sydney team advises whether an ART review, a new application or another pathway is available, and acts within the deadline. Read how we take over a matter after lodgement.

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PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
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GET ADVICE ON YOUR NEXT STEP

Speak With Immigration Lawyers Sydney About Your Matter

Tell our immigration lawyers Sydney team which visa or immigration decision you need help with, your current visa and any deadline you have received.

I came to this firm for help with my protection visa because I was very confused about the process. They listened to my situation carefully and explained what information and documents would be important. I feel much more comfortable having professional help with everything.

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Mariam K

Connect with our friendly team

1300 040 300
Or fill in the form & we'll call you
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HOW WE CAN ASSIST

Immigration Lawyers Sydney: Our Legal Services

Protection Visas

Get Protection Visa Help
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ART Visa Refusals

Challenge a Visa Refusal
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Judicial Reviews

Explore Judicial Reviews
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Visa Cancellations

Get Cancellation Advice
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Corporate Migration

Explore Corporate Migration
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the MML DIFFERENCE

Why choose My Migration Lawyers?

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the MML DIFFERENCE

Why choose My Migration Lawyers?

Experienced legal representation, affordable fees and careful case preparation when your future in Australia is at stake.

Affordable fees and flexible payment options

Access experienced migration lawyers with competitive professional fees and flexible payment arrangements designed to make legal representation more manageable.

Experienced lawyers for complex matters

Our lawyers handle visa applications, refusals, cancellations and judicial reviews, with the experience to identify the legal issues, evidence and risks affecting your case.

Your case prepared and presented at its strongest

We carefully assess your circumstances, identify potential weaknesses and prepare your case using the strongest available evidence and legal strategy.
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SYDNEY IMMIGRATION LEGAL ADVICE

When Should You Consult an Immigration Lawyer in Sydney?

You should consult the immigration lawyers Sydney team at My Migration Lawyers before you lodge if your eligibility is uncertain, your visa is close to expiring or an earlier application contains information that needs explaining. Waiting until the Department raises a concern leaves less time to gather evidence and address inconsistencies.

The immigration lawyers Sydney team at My Migration Lawyers regularly acts where there is a previous refusal, a No Further Stay condition, Schedule 3, an expired visa, a bridging visa question or a fear of returning to your country.

Contact our immigration lawyers Sydney team immediately if you receive a request for more information, a natural justice letter, a refusal, a cancellation notice or a hearing notice. Read what urgent immigration advice involves.
My Migration Lawyers assists Sydney clients with Partner visas, Protection visas, visa refusals, cancellations, Department responses and ART reviews.
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Speak To Our Lawyers

Request a Consultation With Immigration Lawyers Sydney

Use the message field to explain your concern to our immigration lawyers Sydney team and identify any visa expiry, refusal, cancellation or response deadline.

I came to this firm for help with my protection visa because I was very confused about the process. They listened to my situation carefully and explained what information and documents would be important. I feel much more comfortable having professional help with everything.

MML

Mariam K

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.
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PARTNER VISA REQUIREMENTS

Registering a Relationship in NSW for Partner Visas

The immigration lawyers Sydney team at My Migration Lawyers advises de facto couples in Sydney on the 12-month relationship requirement for a Subclass 820 or Subclass 309 Partner visa.

A de facto couple applying for a Partner visa generally has to show that the relationship existed for at least 12 months before lodgement. A relationship registered with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages is a registered relationship under a prescribed state law, and it can provide an exception to that 12-month de facto requirement.

To register in NSW, both partners must be at least 18, not married to each other or anyone else, not already in a registered relationship and not related by family. At least one partner must live in New South Wales. The couple does not have to live together.

Registration does not replace evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship, and the other visa and sponsorship criteria must still be met.
Our immigration lawyers Sydney team also prepares the relationship evidence and relationship statements that the Department assesses.
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URGENT DEADLINES

Immigration Lawyers Sydney: Urgent Visa Refusal and Cancellation Deadlines

If you are in Sydney and have received an adverse immigration decision, contact the immigration lawyers Sydney team at My Migration Lawyers immediately. Review periods and response deadlines are short and strictly applied, and some cannot be extended.
Urgent matters include:
an application for ART review after a refusal or cancellation;
a response to a notice of intention to consider cancelling a visa;
an overstay or a visa that is about to expire.
Send our immigration lawyers Sydney team the complete notice, the email or envelope showing when it was received, and your current visa details. Do not rely on a general deadline found online.
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Sydney Immigration Guide

Where Sydney Immigration Matters Are Decided

Matters handled by our immigration lawyers Sydney team are decided by the Department of Home Affairs, reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal or examined by the federal courts. The Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney's south-west is also relevant where a person is detained after a visa cancellation or refusal.

Department of Home Affairs

The Department decides Partner visa and Protection visa applications. It may request further information, arrange an interview, raise adverse information or consider cancelling a visa. The quality and consistency of the evidence, statements and submissions prepared by your immigration lawyers Sydney team matter at this stage.

Administrative Review Tribunal

The Administrative Review Tribunal independently reviews eligible refusal and cancellation decisions. Sydney matters are handled through the ART Sydney Registry at Level 6, 83 Clarence Street, Sydney. Hearings may take place in person, by video or by telephone, and our immigration lawyers Sydney team prepares clients for each format. See ART hearing preparation.

Federal Courts

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Federal Court may examine whether an immigration decision was affected by jurisdictional error. Judicial review concerns whether the decision was made lawfully; the court does not reconsider the visa application on its merits. The federal courts sit in Sydney at the Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney.

Villawood Immigration Detention Centre

The Villawood Immigration Detention Centre is located in Sydney's south-west. It does not decide visa applications or reviews, but it is significant for people detained after a visa cancellation, refusal or another status issue. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team advises families on the decision that led to detention and the options that remain.
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Serving Greater Sydney

Immigration Lawyers Serving Greater Sydney

MML assists immigration clients throughout Greater Sydney and  surrounding areas of New South Wales, including:
Sydney CBD
Blacktown
Northern Beaches
Parramatta
Penrith
North Shore
Liverpool
Hills District
Sutherland Shire
Fairfield
Inner West
Western Sydney
Bankstown
Eastern Suburbs
New South Wales

Consultations with our immigration lawyers Sydney team are by Zoom, so clients in Sydney and across regional New South Wales obtain advice from home or work.
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Local guides: choosing a migration lawyer in Sydney; choosing a Partner visa lawyer in Sydney; choosing a Protection visa lawyer in Sydney; Partner visa lawyers in Sydney; Protection visa lawyers in Sydney.
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My Migration Lawyers also acts for clients elsewhere in Australia through its immigration lawyers Melbourne, immigration lawyers Brisbane, immigration lawyers Adelaide, immigration lawyers Perth, immigration lawyers Canberra, immigration lawyers Hobart pages.

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Choosing a Lawyer

How Do You Choose the Best Immigration Lawyer in Sydney?

The best immigration lawyers Sydney clients can choose have verifiable credentials, experience with the specific visa or decision involved, a clear view of your immigration history and a written scope of work and fees. At My Migration Lawyers, Weiwei Zhang, Principal Lawyer, leads the practice, and the firm acts in complex Partner visa, Protection visa, refusal and cancellation matters. Read our guide to choosing Australian migration lawyers.
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Check the Lawyer’s Professional Credentials

Confirm that the person advising you is an Australian legal practitioner with a current practising certificate. Ask the immigration lawyers Sydney you consult who will assess your matter, prepare the submissions and represent you.

Choose Experience Relevant to Your Matter

Experience with straightforward applications does not establish experience with Protection visas, cancellations or ART reviews. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team regularly handles previous refusals, Schedule 3, unlawful status, inconsistent information and protection claims.

Expect a Case-Specific Legal Assessment

The advice should explain which options are legally available, what must be satisfied, what evidence is needed, which risks must be addressed and what should happen next.

Obtain a Written Scope and Fee Information

Before ongoing work begins, My Migration Lawyers provides a written costs agreement setting out the agreed work and the fixed fee for each stage. See fixed-fee immigration lawyers.

Consider Communication and Accessibility

Confirm how consultations and updates will occur and how urgent correspondence will be handled. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team consults by Zoom and communicates by email. If you already have a lawyer, see changing immigration lawyers or getting a second opinion.
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Know the Difference

Immigration Lawyer or Migration Agent in Sydney:
What Is the Difference?

Immigration lawyers and registered migration agents can both provide immigration assistance, prepare visa applications, communicate with the Department and represent eligible clients at the Administrative Review Tribunal. The principal difference is that the immigration lawyers Sydney clients instruct at My Migration Lawyers are Australian legal practitioners who can give broader legal advice and appear in eligible federal court proceedings. See migration agent vs immigration lawyer.

What Can a Registered Migration Agent Do?

A registered migration agent can advise on visa options, prepare and lodge applications, communicate with the Department and represent clients in eligible ART proceedings. Migration agents are regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

What Can an Immigration Lawyer Do?

An immigration lawyer can do all of this and also advise on broader legal issues and represent eligible clients in federal court proceedings. Certain confidential communications with your immigration lawyers Sydney team may attract legal professional privilege.

When May an Immigration Lawyer Be More Appropriate?

• a visa refusal or cancellation;
• an ART review;
• Schedule 3 or unlawful status;
• character, identity or false-information concerns;
• inconsistent information across previous applications;
• a Protection visa or a complex credibility issue; or
• an urgent Department or tribunal deadline.

Does the Difference Change in Sydney?

No. Australian migration law is federal, so the distinction is the same in Sydney as anywhere else in Australia. What differs is the experience of the immigration lawyers Sydney clients choose.

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IMMIGRATION LAWYER FEES SYDNEY

How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost in Sydney?

What immigration lawyers Sydney clients pay depends on the type of matter, its complexity and the work required. My Migration Lawyers charges a fixed fee for each stage, set out in a written costs agreement before work begins. See immigration lawyer fees in Australia and how fees and scope compare.

Matter Type

A visa application, Department response and ART review each require different legal work and are priced differently.

Complexity

Previous refusals, cancellations, Schedule 3, unlawful status, inconsistent information, character concerns and urgent deadlines increase the work required.

Included Work

Your costs agreement with our immigration lawyers Sydney team states whether it includes evidence review, statements, legal submissions, Department correspondence, interview preparation or representation.

Additional Costs

Government charges, ART fees, translations and expert reports are payable separately. See the Subclass 820 government charge.

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Compare the work included and the lawyer responsible for your matter, not only the headline price.
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UNDERSTANDING IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES

Are Immigration Lawyers, Migration Lawyers and Visa Lawyers the Same in Sydney?

Yes, in practice. "Immigration lawyer", "migration lawyer" and "visa lawyer" all describe an Australian legal practitioner who advises and represents clients in immigration matters. What matters is the practitioner's qualifications and experience. See what an immigration lawyer does and Australian migration lawyers.
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Immigration Lawyers Sydney

People searching for immigration lawyers Sydney usually need help with a visa application, a refusal, a cancellation or an ART review. My Migration Lawyers acts in each of these.

Migration Lawyers Sydney

"Migration lawyers Sydney" describes the same service. It should not be confused with a registered migration agent who is not also a lawyer.

Visa Lawyer Sydney

"Visa lawyer" is an informal search term for legal help with a visa application, a visa problem or an adverse decision. It is not a separate qualification.

Immigration Solicitor Sydney

"Immigration solicitor" also describes an Australian lawyer providing immigration legal services. See immigration lawyers in Australia.
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SYDNEY PRACTICE INFORMATION

Immigration Lawyers Sydney: Practice Information

My Migration Lawyers is an Australian immigration law firm with its principal practice location in the Sydney CBD. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team advises clients throughout Greater Sydney, regional New South Wales, elsewhere in Australia and overseas.

My Migration Lawyers

My Migration Lawyer Pty Ltd, trading as My Migration Lawyers, is an Australian incorporated legal practice.

Principal Lawyer

Weiwei Zhang is the Principal Lawyer and Director of My Migration Lawyers and leads the firm's immigration law practice.

Sydney CBD Practice

While we primarily work via Zoom, our Sydney office is available for in- person meetings by appointment.

Address:

Level 1, 60 Martin Place Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Telephone:

1300 040 300

Consultations

Consultations are conducted by Zoom and must be booked in advance.
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IMMIGRATION LAW EXPERIENCE

What Is the Difference Between an Immigration Lawyer and a General Lawyer?

An immigration lawyer regularly practises in visa law, Department decisions, immigration status and ART proceedings. A general lawyer may be qualified but may not practise in immigration law. The immigration lawyers Sydney team at My Migration Lawyers works only in Australian immigration law.
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Visa Law and Eligibility

Immigration lawyers assess visa criteria, sponsorship requirements and restrictions such as No Further Stay conditions that affect whether an application can be made or granted.

Department of Home Affairs Matters

An immigration lawyer prepares applications, responds to requests for information and addresses adverse material. See Form 956 and 956A for how a lawyer is appointed.

Visa Refusals and ART Reviews

Immigration lawyers review refusal decisions, identify review rights and represent eligible clients before the Administrative Review Tribunal.

Immigration Status and Consequences

A refusal, cancellation or withdrawal may affect your bridging visa and future options. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team assesses these consequences as part of the advice.

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IMMIGRATION LAWYERS SYDNEY

Why Work With My Migration Lawyers as Your Immigration Lawyers Sydney?

My Migration Lawyers acts in many complex Partner visa, Protection visa, refusal and cancellation matters for clients in Sydney. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team assesses each matter against the legislation, the visa criteria, your immigration history and the evidence, then prepares the application, statements, Department responses and submissions your case requires.

The firm acts from the first assessment through to the Department decision and, after a refusal, at the Administrative Review Tribunal. Clients who come to our immigration lawyers Sydney team after a refusal elsewhere are a regular part of the practice. See Partner visa after a refusal and Protection visa refusal lawyers.

Before ongoing work begins, My Migration Lawyers provides a written costs agreement with a fixed fee for each stage. Consultations with our immigration lawyers Sydney team are by Zoom for clients throughout Greater Sydney and New South Wales. About My Migration Lawyers.
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SYDNEY IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS

Immigration Lawyers Sydney: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions Indonesians applicants ask most often. See also our 30 protection visa FAQs and 30 LGBT protection visa FAQs.

What do immigration lawyers in Sydney do?

Immigration lawyers Sydney clients instruct assess the visa pathways available, prepare applications and responses, and represent eligible clients at the Administrative Review Tribunal. At My Migration Lawyers, our immigration lawyers Sydney team acts in Partner visas, Protection visas, refusals and cancellations.

How much do immigration lawyers in Sydney charge?

Fees depend on the matter and its stage. My Migration Lawyers charges a fixed fee for each stage, set out in a written costs agreement before work begins, so immigration lawyers Sydney clients know the cost in advance. Government charges and ART fees are separate.

Can immigration lawyers in Sydney help me apply for a Protection visa?

Yes. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team prepares Subclass 866 Protection visa applications, including the statement of claims, legal submissions and supporting evidence. My Migration Lawyers acts in many complex protection matters and assesses your eligibility before anything is lodged.

Can I apply for a Protection visa in Sydney while on a tourist or student visa?

Yes. Condition 8503 (No Further Stay) expressly excludes Protection visas, so it does not prevent the application. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team checks your entry, visa history and any application bars before lodging. See Protection visas on a tourist visa and Protection visas for students.

Can immigration lawyers in Sydney help with an LGBTI or religious persecution Protection visa claim?

Yes. My Migration Lawyers acts in LGBTI protection claims and religious persecution claims, including cases involving late disclosure, concealment and limited documentary evidence. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team prepares the statement and evidence these claims require.

My Protection visa was refused. Can immigration lawyers in Sydney still help?

Yes. The immigration lawyers Sydney team at My Migration Lawyers reviews the refusal, lodges the ART review within the deadline and prepares you for the hearing at the ART Sydney Registry at Level 6, 83 Clarence Street, Sydney. The review deadline is short and strictly applied, so contact us immediately. See Protection visa refusals.

Can I work while immigration lawyers in Sydney handle my Protection visa?

It depends on the visa you entered on and the bridging visa granted with your application. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team checks your bridging visa conditions and advises on work rights as part of preparing your Protection visa.

Can immigration lawyers in Sydney help with a Partner visa?

Yes. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team prepares Subclass 820, Subclass 309 and Subclass 300 applications, including the relationship evidence, statements and sponsorship. My Migration Lawyers also acts where Schedule 3, sponsorship limitations or family violence are involved.

Can registering our relationship in New South Wales help our Partner visa?

It can. Registering a relationship in New South Wales may provide an exception to the 12-month de facto requirement for a Partner visa. It does not replace evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team advises on timing before you lodge.

My Partner visa was refused. What can immigration lawyers in Sydney do?

Our immigration lawyers Sydney team reviews the refusal reasons, confirms whether ART review is available and lodges it within the deadline. My Migration Lawyers then rebuilds the evidence the Department found lacking. See Partner visa refusal options.

Can immigration lawyers in Sydney help if my visa is being cancelled?

Yes. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team responds to the notice of intention to consider cancellation within the stated period, which can be very short, and advises on review rights if a cancellation decision is made. See visa cancellations.

I have overstayed my visa in Sydney. Can immigration lawyers help?

Yes. An overstay does not always end your options. Depending on your history, a bridging visa, a Partner visa with Schedule 3 addressed or a Protection visa may still be available. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team treats overstay matters as urgent.

Can immigration lawyers in Sydney represent me at the ART Sydney Registry?

Yes. My Migration Lawyers represents eligible clients at the ART Sydney Registry at Level 6, 83 Clarence Street, Sydney, whether the hearing is in person, by video or by telephone. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team prepares the submissions, evidence and your oral evidence before the hearing.

Can immigration lawyers in Sydney help a family member held at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre?

Yes. Our immigration lawyers Sydney team advises on the visa decision that led to detention, any review rights and applications that may still be available. Send My Migration Lawyers the decision and detention correspondence as soon as possible.

What is the difference between immigration lawyers and migration agents in Sydney?

Both can prepare visa applications and represent clients at the ART. The immigration lawyers Sydney team at My Migration Lawyers are also Australian legal practitioners who can give broader legal advice and appear in federal court proceedings. See migration agent vs immigration lawyer.

How do I book a consultation with immigration lawyers in Sydney?

Book online or call 1300 040 300. Consultations with our immigration lawyers Sydney team are by Zoom, so there is no need to visit an office. Have your passport, current visa details and any Department or Tribunal letters ready.

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About the Reviewer

Who Reviewed This Page

Weiwei Zhang is an Australian lawyer practising exclusively in Australian migration law and is the Principal Lawyer at My Migration Lawyers. She reviews the firm's published legal guidance for accuracy.
Weiwei Zhang, Principal Lawyer at My Migration Lawyers

Weiwei Zhang

Managing Director and Principal Lawyer, My Migration Lawyers
Weiwei Zhang, Principal Lawyer at My Migration Lawyers
Weiwei Zhang
Principal Lawyer
Weiwei Zhang is an Australian lawyer practising exclusively in Australian migration law and is the Principal Lawyer at My Migration Lawyers. She reviews the firm's published legal guidance for accuracy.
Last Reviewed
16 September 2026
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