SMP Lawyers are qualified and experienced in assisting in all areas of corporate and individual immigration. As you would expect, we have a registered immigration agent and are able to provide a complete service advising on the initial application through to approval.
We have expertise in advising businesses and are able to prepare and lodge applications together with supporting submissions. We work with the Department of Immigration to gain approval for overseas employees.
We assist employers from all industry sectors requiring assistance with approval as Standard Business Sponsors, as well as assisting with applications for Temporary and Permanent visas with employer sponsorship.
Categories For Visas
Family Migration Program
This remains one of the largest areas of migration to Australia. There are several different avenues but in broad terms it can either be re-uniting a family or, in the alternative, migrating on the basis of a relationship.These applications generally are able to be made both on-shore and off-shore.They require an Australian Sponsor who must be a permanent resident and/or Australian Citizen and as with all Visa applications, the applicant must satisfy both the health and character tests. Those tests are extended to all “dependent” children of the Visa applicant.
Temporary Visas
The most common temporary Visas are Tourist Visas, Student Visas and work sponsored Visas. There are quite complex rules that relate to these and care needs to be taken not to breach the conditions of the Visa. Many people wish to move from a temporary to a permanent Visa. To make this transition it is important that the Department is confident that the condition of any temporary Visa that the applicant is currently on has not been breached. This is particularly relevant for students.If you have any queries about the conditions that must be satisfied in order to comply with your Visa, then again, it is well worthwhile to make an enquiry about that.
Independent Visas
The Department administers a “points test” which independent Visa applicants need to satisfy. The points test favours young professional or skilled applicants who have good language skills. Additional points can be picked up for studying within Australia and for having an Australian sponsor.