Expertise

High quality education, peace and prosperity in Australia continue to attract large number of migrants. However, to sustain the quality of life in Australia, the number of places available for immigration to Australia has not increased in tandem with demand. As only limited number of places are available for immigration each year, only the most eligible applicants succeed in obtaining Australian permanent residency.

Overarching objectives of Australian government’s immigration policies are addressing skills requirements, aging population and the security of the nation. Hence, current knowledge in Australian immigration law and practice, specialist knowledge and skills relating to your case, and the bureaucracy are pivotal to achievement of your migration objectives. Conversely, incompetency ruins your migration plan, incurs financial losses and disrupts your lifestyle.

Engagement of an agent or consultant

Whilst it is not mandatory to engage an agent or consultant, the complexity and dynamism surrounding the migration arena justifies the engagement of a competent professional who can skilfully untangle those complexities.

Due to rampant malpractices by rogue migration agents, legislations were introduced by the Australian Government to protect migrants and the profession. Consequently, only Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) registered agents are legally permitted to provide professional migration assistance in Australia. MARA registered agents are governed by a strict Code of Conduct.

MARA registration ensures that one has the basic knowledge and is of good character, but will not by itself help achieve your migration objectives. An immigration consultant with specialist knowledge and practical experience in government policies will maximise your prospects of securing your Australian permanent visa.

Our philosophy is to only accept a case after careful “diagnosis” and we are convinced that you have good prospects of achieving your migration objectives. Otherwise, The Migration Doctor TM will be candid and advise you against lodging an application. In which case, we can help you develop a pathway to change your eligibility status.

Planning to migrate to Australia

Lodging an application for Australian permanent residency can be time consuming and costly. Careful planning and analysis maximise the prospects of achieving your migration objectives. We use our expertise to determine if and how each case should move forward in your best interest. Due to the complexity surrounding Australian migration and diversity in each individual case, The Migration Doctor TM does not provide “free” generic assessment. We know that a generic approach is inappropriate and can cost you dearly in many ways. Therefore, we will not subject you to a tedious process of furnishing detailed, sensitive and often irrelevant information. Rather, we make it a point to understand your circumstance/migration objectives through initial consultation(s) at no cost. When we are convinced that your case is meritorious of an assessment, we will request from you only the pertinent information so that we can undertake a detailed assessment and provide a recommendation consistent with your migration objective. A cost estimate, depending on the complexity of your case will be provided for your consideration before we proceed with our assessment and recommendation.

Business and investment migration

The Australian federal government has delegated certain responsibilities to state and territory governments to determine their own criteria for the business and investment migration. Consequently, sponsorship criteria differ from each state and territory.

Business and investor visas are initially granted provisionally and visa holders are eligible for permanent residency upon fulfilment of conditions stipulated in the provisional visa. A business plan for migration purpose has implicit but crucial attributes that need to be addressed. In this respect, there is no substitute for a consultant’s experience in business and government. These experiential skills are not only pivotal in gaining the support of the sponsoring government for your migration application, but the success of your business/investment in Australia.

The Migration Doctor TM can help you develop robust business strategies to maximise the prospect of attaining your business objectives, leading to your eligibility in obtaining permanent residency. Benefit from Dr Lim’s significant and diverse business experience and his knowledge of the bureaucracy. As an experience officer in the public sector, Dr Lim understands the operations of the bureaucracy and can help determine which state or territory government is most receptive to sponsoring your application.

Skilled migration

Generally, you should be under 45 years of age, possess the skills that Australia needs, have English language skills and good character.

However, if you are over 45 years of age but highly skilled, you may seek employer, state or territory government sponsorship. The Migration Doctor TM can help determine in which state or territory your skills are in demand in order to maximise your prospect of securing government sponsorship.

Other categories

The Migration Doctor TM is licensed and has the capabilities to assist with a variety of Australian visa and citizenship applications. Whether you are a student, retiree or seeking family reunion, you can rely on The Migration Doctor TM.

Visa renewal, refusal or cancellation

Many visas are initially granted provisionally and conditions stipulated in the visa must be complied before one is eligible to apply for permanent residency. However, as circumstances change, compliance with those conditions is not always possible.

For business migration, fulfilling the objectives of the business plan is a “contract” between the visa holder and the Australian Government. Changes to economic and other circumstances can frustrate the achievement of business and investment objectives, hence, your eligibility for permanent residency.

Many skilled visa holders are unable to comply with residential requirements due to a variety of reasons, resulting in difficulties in securing permanent residency.

On the other hand, students tend to work more than the permitted hours due to pressure from employers or financial reasons.

In more drastic instances, you may have been notified by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship of its intention to revoke your visa.

In most instances, The Migration Doctor TM is competent to “diagnose” and argue your case with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. These arguments could be on the basis of compelling circumstances or significant ties to Australia. In the case of visa refusal or notice of cancellation, we can determine if you have a good prospect of a tribunal reversing the adverse decision made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship or for ministerial intervention in your favour. However, it is prudent to contact us at once without loosing valuable time.

Australian citizenship

General eligibility criteria for Australian citizenship are: passing a test which the vast majority of migrants passed during the first attempt; you have been a lawful resident in Australia for four (4) years immediately before applying, including 12 months as a permanent resident, absences from Australia of no more than twelve (12) months no more than ninety (90) days in the twelve (12) months before applying.

However, there are certain exceptions for people who became Australian permanent resident before 1 July 2007 and apply for citizenship before 30 June 2010.

Permanent residents who do not satisfy the stipulated residential requirements may apply for discretionary consideration on the basis of close and continuing ties to Australia.

Pathways

If you are currently not eligible for an Australian permanent residency, The Migration Doctor TM can help you develop a pathway to improve your eligibility. As each case is unique, The Migration Doctor TM “diagnoses” your situation and provides a recommendation that is in your best interest.

Appeals

Recognising that mistakes can be made and have often been made by delegates in the government when making decisions, the Australian law provides avenues for visa or citizenship applicants to seek reviews by tribunals or intervention by the minister where appropriate.

Tribunals provide independent review of a wide range of decisions made by the Australian government and non-government bodies. Tribunals operate swiftly, with little formality and technicality.

However, it is absolutely essential that you waste no time and work with a competent migration professional without delay when an adverse decision was made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship or a notice for cancellation of your visa was issued. The Migration Doctor TM has the expertise to help you construct your case and submit on your behalf to the respective tribunal or minister for intervention where appropriate.

Please contact us for free consultation or enquiries