Visa Application Submitted? Your Next Steps After Receiving a Letter from The Department of Home Affairs
Submitting a visa application involves meticulous preparation and the gathering of essential information for the submission might be hectic. While the lodgement of your application is a significant step, it does not mark the conclusion of the entire process.
Once your visa application is lodged, the waiting period for a decision can be an anxious time. It's not uncommon to receive letters or notices from the Department of Home Affairs during this period, seeking additional information. It's important not to panic in such situations and to pay close attention to the nature of the correspondence, as it may provide insights into the outcome of your visa application.
There are two types of correspondence you might receive from the Department of Home Affairs:
Section 56 - Requests for More Information
This type of correspondence is generally a positive sign that your visa application is under review. It signifies that the Delegate has initiated an assessment and requires specific documents or information.
In the section 56 request email, you may receive both documents as follows:
s56 Request for More Information
Request Checklist and Details
This is an example of an s56 Letter - Request for more information for a Partner (Temporary) (subclass 820) / Partner (Residence) (subclass 801) visa application.
Don't panic upon receiving a Section 56 request; instead, approach it with diligence. Thoroughly read the checklist and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the requirements. It's imperative to provide all requested information before due date. Failure to do so might lead to the Delegate finalising your visa application based on insufficient supporting documents.
Section 57 - Invitation to Comment
The Department of Home Affairs typically sends an invitation to visa applicants to provide comments if they have received or become aware of adverse information concerning the visa application. This invitation is commonly referred to as a "Natural Justice Letter” under section 57 of the Migration Act.
This is an example of an s57 Letter - Invitation to comment for a Partner (subclass 801) visa application.
The potential ramifications of addressing the wrong concerns or providing responses that are insufficient or irrelevant can be significant.
Visa applicants are strongly recommended to consider seeking professional legal assistance when they receive a natural justice letter from the Department as this might be the last chance to avoid a visa refusal.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
If you have received any correspondence from the Department of Home Affairs and you are unsure about what to do, feel free to reach out to Agape Henry Crux, our Accredited Specialist(s) in Immigration Law and our team of immigration lawyers are equipped in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.