SKILLED MIGRATION
We can assist with Expressions of Interest, all Skill Assessment applications, State or Family sponsorship, points test applications and subclass 485 Skilled Graduate visas.
STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS & COMPLIANCE ISSUES
We assist prospective and current students in making or renewing their student visas, whether in Australia or overseas. We also assist in responding to Notices of Intention to Consider Cancellation, cancellation appeal cases and educational provider issues/appeals.
SPONSORSHIP OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYEES
Australia offers a number of pathways for temporary or permanent employer-sponsored migration for skilled workers to stay and work in Australia. CFIL can assist with 457 / 482 / 494 sponsorship, nomination and visa applications, ENS and RSMS applications, including Regional Certifying Body applications.
We also have extensive experience and expertise with sponsor monitoring. We also advise companies about ensuring they are meeting their 457 / 482 / 494 obligations, including previous training benchmarks.
FAMILY & PARTNER MIGRATION
There are different types of partner visas available to overseas nationals sponsored by their eligible Australian partners, whether applying in Australia or offshore. We can also assist with Visitor visas to Australia, which includes family sponsored Visitor visas. There are a range of family migration options for people, including Parent visas, Carer visas and Remaining Relative visas. However, the Department has made recent moves to make these visas more difficult, so you should contact one of our lawyers to see if you are eligible to apply under one of these visa subclasses.
BUSINESS MIGRATION
Australia offers a range of Business visas to individuals with a strong history of business ownership and management. We can help to assess your business ownership and management history to see whether you will be eligible in applying for one of these subclasses.
PROTECTION VISAS, SHEV and TPV APPLICATIONS, HUMANITARIAN VISAS
We offer a great deal of expertise in this area of law – many of our staff have a long history of assisting the most vulnerable people with making protection visa, SHEV and TPV applications, as well as IAA appeals. Our firm is also part of the Law Institute of Victoria legacy caseload group.
APPLICATION REVIEW & COMPLEX ISSUES - AAT (MIGRATION AND GENERAL DIVISIONS), FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT AND FEDERAL COURT MATTERS
CFIL has extensive experience in acting for clients who have had their visas refused or cancelled (known as merits review) to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, as well as appealing matters further in the Federal Circuit Court, Federal Court or High Court of Australia.
VISA CANCELLATIONS
CFIL has extensive experience in dealing with contesting or reviewing visa cancellations, including s 501 character cancellations, or visa cancellations under other sections of the Migration Act such as s 109 and s 116.
We can assist with contesting a cancellation notice with the Department of Immigration, or reviewing cancellation decisions to the AAT or the Court system where appropriate.
VISITOR VISAS
There are a variety of options open to people to visit Australia for various time periods and purposes. We can assist with all types of Australian visitor visas.
SOCIAL JUSTICE / PRO BONO / REDUCED RATE
CFIL is very active in providing Pro Bono legal advice to suitable applicants, and we take this responsibility very seriously as an obligation we have as lawyers to help people in need of legal assistance. Decisions to undertake work on a Pro Bono matter are made on a case by case basis.
Our lawyers are involved in the LIV Refugee Law Reform Committee, a legacy caseload clinic as part of a joint Venture between the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and Maurice Blackburn after hours.
NEW ZEALAND MIGRATION
Carina is a registered NZ Migration Advisor and can assist with all aspects of NZ Migration.
CRIMINAL LAW
CFIL is also able to offer criminal law advice on issues specifically relating to migrants with criminal legal issues.
Our experience is that many criminal law practitioners don’t appreciate the interplay between migration and criminal law, and this can sometimes have serious implications for visa holders. Contact us for criminal law advice in the migration sphere.
SPORTS ADMINISTRATION LAW
Carina Ford and Rick Gunn are both current members of the Hockey Victoria Disciplinary Tribunal, and our firm acts for a number of large sporting bodies. We are able to advise on issues relating to sports administration, whether on immigration, regulatory or disciplinary issues.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS
Carina Ford Immigration Lawyers have partnered with E2Language to bring you top-quality online test preparation. The courses include practice questions, live classes, mock tests with comprehensive speaking and writing feedback and much more.
See this link for details.