TABLE OF CONTENTS
Check List Using The Regulations As A Template eg – Spouse Visa
Visa Application And Associated Costs
Record Keeping And Management – How Long Do Documents Have To Be Kept?
Initial Requirements Regarding Accepting A Retainer
Failure Of Proper File Management Can Lead To Suspension As A Migration Agent
Confidentiality & Notifying The Client Of Complaint Procedure
Give Your Client A Copy Of Everything
Give Your Client The Bad News Immediately
Check Special Requirements For Offshore Visas With The Embassy’s Or Consulate’s Website
Don’t Accept Immigration’s Assertion That Decisions Have Been Made Properly
Before You Set The Fee With Your Client And Before You File A Visa Application
What Can Go Wrong If You Don’t Record Your Mail Properly
Prepare Your Client For The Oath
Ideas For Chronologies For Client Files
Immigration Goes Into Hibernation On 30 June Each Year
Australia Closes Down Between Christmas & New Year
Have An Industrial Strength Office Set Up At The Office And At Home
What Is A Permanent Residence Visa?
Practice Together Or Practice In Groups
A Proper Email Account And Email Management
Undercharging And Undercutting On Fees
Positioning And Pathways And Fees (Putting All One’s Eggs In One Basket)
Email & Fax Communication & Errors With Credit Cards Emerge As Troubling Issues
Preparing A Client For Merit Review Hearings Or Interviews With DIBP
Berenguel – Sometimes Time Of Application Criteria Can Be Met At Time Of Decision
Bare Faced Liars & The Fraudsters
Visas Remain Current Until Midnight
Looking After Secondary Visa Holders In A Visa Cancellation Process
Applying As A Secondary Visa Applicant Onshore When The Primary Visa Applicant Is Offshore
Essential Prerequisites For A Ministerial Discretion Application
State And Territory Sponsorship
Make Peace With The Tax Office
Spouse Visas – Unexplained Large Deposits of Money
Managing No. 8503 On Tourist Visas
Tax Deductibility of Migration Advice
Dates On Documents And Names On Documents
Check All Past Visa Applications
Visa Holders Being On Their Best Behaviour
Email Communication With Immigration – Delete All Strings
No Without Prejudice Conversations With Immigration
Identify Australian Citizens Who Support An Applicant
Second Thing To Do On Starting A File – Download The Relevant Part Of The Law
First Thing To Do When Starting Any File – Identify Any ‘Rights Destroying’ Deadlines
Disputes About Parentage And Children
Helping People Pass The English Tests
What Is The Pomodoro Technique?
When Is A Visa Application Made In Australia
Always ensure that the chronology identifies the document or evidence where the fact is proven. Very frustrating is having a fact in the chronology but not be able to verify it by evidence.
DateEvent or relevant factReference, proof, description of document etc
1.6.53Applicant’s D.o. BirthPassport
1986Gained qualifications as a plastererTrade certificate
1.9.1999Application for skilled visa subclass etcCopy on file (or receipt)
1.6.2000Skilled visa subclass….. grantedLetter of decision from DIMIA
1.9.2000First arrival in AustPassport Stamp
31.5.2005WARNING LAST DAY FOR APPLYING FOR RESIDENT RETURN VISA
31.5.2005Visa expiresVisa label in passport
FILE CHECK LIST
Subject MatterDETAILACTION
Client’s date of birth (Visa Criteria relevance) eg at aged 45 will not longer be eligible to apply for a visa
Dependants’ date of birth (Visa Criteria relevance) eg at what age will the client cease to be a dependent for the purpose of the visa application
Date of arrival in Australia
Current Visa
When will the current visa expire
What is the thing needed to secure the client’s rights and when is the last day for this to occur
Other important dates & why:
1
2
Etc
Things to do
1
2 etc
MERIT REIVEW
What is the deadline for filing the application
Are all bridging visas attended to
Judicial Review
What is the deadline for filing the application
Has an application been made for a ‘judicial review’ bridging visa