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PRACTICE AREAS

Migration Lawyer Melbourne

As one of Australia’s first law firms to counsel prospective migrants, Nevett Ford has delivered strategic immigration solutions for thousands of people for more than 30 years across a broad range of visa types.

Our senior immigration lawyers and registered migration agents are deeply experienced in all the various employer-sponsored visas, skilled independent migration visas, partner visas, family visas, labour agreements, Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) appeals, Federal Court appeals and Ministerial Intervention matters.

Whether you need an immigration lawyer for visas or citizenship, you are in safe hands with our team of migration experts – including accredited immigration law specialist David Stratton – and Ryan Curtis-Griffiths, Director of Migration, who has been recognised as one of the Leading Immigration Lawyers & Agents by the Doyle’s Guide.

OUR MIGRATION SERVICES

For Employers

For Individuals

Visa Appeals & Reviews

US Migration

Nevett Ford’s migration law services include all aspects of Australian migration, such as:

• Independent applications
• Family migration (including partner – spouse and de facto – and child or parent)
• Employer nominations
• Corporate and business-sponsored temporary and permanent residence visas
• Business skills migration
• General skilled migration
• Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) appeals
• Federal Court matters
• Migration support services.

We can also support individuals looking to visit or live in the US. Our US immigration lawyers can provide advice on the appropriate visa to apply for and guide you through the application process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a migration agent and a migration lawyer?
While both migration agents and migration lawyers can assist with visa applications, lawyers are qualified legal professionals who can provide broader legal advice and representation beyond immigration matters. Migration agents specialise in immigration law and are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
How do I find out if my migration agent is registered?
You should only seek immigration assistance from a registered migration agent to prevent any unwanted problems based on misrepresentation in your migration journey. The OMARA website provides a publicly accessible register of registered migration agents. You can verify the registration status of your migration agent on their online portal.

At Nevett Ford, our migration agents are registered with OMARA and have years of experience and expertise in handling complex migration cases for people from all walks of life.

What is the pathway to permanent residency in Australia?
Permanent residency pathways differ based on individual circumstances, such as skilled migration, family reunion, or employer sponsorship. Our experts will assess your eligibility and guide you on the most suitable pathway to achieve permanent residency.
What are the eligibility criteria for a visa?
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the visa type. Factors may include age, qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and health requirements. Our team of immigration visa lawyers will conduct a thorough assessment for you and provide you with a clear understanding of your eligibility, as well as steps to improve it.
How long does the migration application process typically take?
The processing time varies based on the visa type. Our expert migration team will assess your case and provide a realistic timeline during your initial consultation.
What if my visa is rejected or denied?
In case of visa rejection, our migration lawyers will assess the reasons for refusal, explore appeal options, and guide you through the appropriate channels, including the Administrative Review Tribunal if necessary.
What is the Administrative Review Tribunal?
The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) is an independent review body that can review decisions made by the Department of Home Affairs regarding visas and other migration-related matters.
Can I represent myself if dealing with the ART or do I need a lawyer?
While you have the option to represent yourself at the ART, having a skilled international immigration lawyer can significantly enhance your chances of a successful outcome by providing legal expertise and strategic advocacy.
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Why Choose Us

Decades of Experience

Our experienced lawyers and agents can handle everything from initial eligibility assessments and application lodgement to visa management and appeals.

 

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Personalised Service

We know that every migration case is unique, which is why we tailor our strategies to fit your individual needs and circumstances.

High Success Rate

Our migration lawyers help you prepare ‘decision-ready’ applications for the best chance of a successful migration application result.

Standard Of Care

We believe in more than just legal representation – we believe in building a partnership with our clients that results in a strong and meaningful bond.

 

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Fast Response

Our lawyers pride ourselves on being accessible and responsive to calls and emails.

Initial Fixed Cost Consultations

We provide transparent and affordable fees, so clients would know what the process will look like ahead of time.

 

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

Ryan Curtis-Griffiths
Director
David Stratton
Special Counsel
Helen Zheng
Special Counsel
Dora Park
Senior Associate
Heather Dzviti
Senior Associate
Melissa Vincenty
Senior Lawyer
Lili Sibic
Associate
Kiri Stefanidis
Lawyer
Chloe Wang
Legal Assistant
Shalini Kodikara
Paralegal

Professional Qualifications & Associations

CASE STUDIES

Our team has assisted thousands of clients in obtaining Australian permanent residence and citizenship – even when they have previously been refused.

A client had a partner visa application previously refused due to multiple reasons, including failure to meet the health criteria and character issues (police convictions). They had also been advised by another lawyer that they had no chance of success.

Nevett Ford was able to advise and assist the client through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) appeals process, as well as the Ministerial Intervention request process to obtain Australian permanent residence, which ultimately resulted in a successful outcome.

A client had a visa cancelled because incorrect information had been provided on the application form many years before. The client had previously written to the Department acknowledging the error and providing correct information.

This notification also occurred years before the visa cancellation decision and so the client assumed that the Department had elected not to act. In the meantime, they had made a substantial commitment to their community and to Australia.

Nevett Ford supported the client on a review application to the Administrative Review Tribunal, which was successful in large part because the Tribunal was mindful of the impact of a cancellation on the applicant’s young children.

 

A client had applied to the Department for a S/C482 visa based on being an ‘in-house’ accountant for the nominating business. However, the Department refused the application because the business used outside accountants for taxation work and the Department’s view was that the duties associated with the applicant’s position were more bookkeeping-related instead of those typically associated with an accountant role.

Nevett Ford was able to demonstrate to the Administrative Review Tribunal that the large business derived much of its million-dollar sales revenues from overseas. This led to multiple issues to manage relating to exchange rates and frequent price adjustments on stock, which was the principal role of the internal accountant and was clearly distinguishable from the work performed by the external accountants. The review application was ultimately successful.

Topics We’ve Written About

Family Violence provisions for Skilled visa applications

Family Violence provisions for Skilled visa applications

Oct 22, 2024

The Department of Affairs has extended family violence provisions to seven Skilled visa subclass, allowing secondary applicants to access family violence protections. These Skilled visas include: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Regional Sponsored Migration...

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Australian Partner visa – Things you need to know

Australian Partner visa – Things you need to know

Oct 14, 2024

The Australian government thoroughly reviews all partner visa applications regarding your relationship to determine if it meets the relevant criteria. Australian Partner visas, which include the Partner Visa 309, Partner Visa 100, Partner Visa 820, and Partner Visa...

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New Visa Ballot System for Work and Holiday Visas

New Visa Ballot System for Work and Holiday Visas

Oct 1, 2024

The government recently announced a new visa pre-application, or ballot, process for individuals from certain partner countries who wish to apply for Work and Holiday visas. This system is aimed at ensuring a fair distribution of visas in cases where the number of...

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The Workplace Justice Visa

The Workplace Justice Visa

Aug 19, 2024

Employers beware! Have you heard about the new Workplace Justice Visa that protects overseas workers? As of the 1st of July 2024, the Australian Government has implemented the Workplace Justice Visa in the Migration Amendment Regulations 2024. This visa safeguards...

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    If you are overseas, please call our office on +61 3 9614 7111 between the hours of 9:00am to 5:30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. Outside of these hours, please indicate your email address below and we will reply to you as soon as possible.