Common Visa Application Mistakes that spell Failure
Applying for a visa is such an important task where refusal will not only result in lots of money lost, but
may also cease your pathway to Australia. Due to the number of different migration programs per
country, together with their own unique requirements and criteria, honest mistakes can be made easily
in visa applications. There are many reasons why Australian migration applications are being denied, the
most common ones outlined below with how to easily avoid them.
1. Not Using Checklists
The first thing you need to do once you determine you are eligible for a visa is to look through everything
you need to prepare to make your application a success. Documents serve as evidence for your
application, with most visa subclasses requiring the documents either at the time of lodgement or within
2 days. The Department website has somewhat of an outline of what evidence is needed, but this doesn’t
necessarily mean you know what documents are suitable or substantial enough as evidence. It is
important to do it properly at the time of lodgement, because the Case Officer may not ask you for
further documentation or clarification. The ImmiAccount portal accepts up to 60 attachments, you would
be surprised how many you will need to attach.
2. No Cover Letter or Submission
A Cover Letter or a Submission is something which is written to summarise the reason why the applicant
is applying for a visa. It is a message or summary used to present your case and try to persuade the
Department into approving it. It also outlined how the documents you’ve provided, which serve as
evidence, support your agreement and tell a story as to why you wish to migrate to Australia, because if
you simply attached to your application without explaining then key details such as timeframes and
motives may be overlooked. You need to make it easy for the case officer to read, don’t just assume they
know.
3. Incomplete Documents
Applying for a visa will require a fair amount of documentation and other paperwork. Many believe that
the Case Officers do not review the files they submit so they do not pass everything that is needed. Not
submitting all the needed documents may lead straight to refusal without the opportunity of providing
them. Do not give your Case Officer any opportunity to refuse your application.
4. Trying to Beat the System
There are those who believe that they can do shortcuts when it comes to applying for visa. They think of
ways in order to get a visa in the shortest time possible so they can migrate faster. It’s like applying for a
Visitor’s Visa instead of a Student’s Visa in order to be approved faster, however when onshore in
Australia you might not be able to apply for a student visa whilst holding a visitor visa! Another thing
people try is to lodge an application without all the supporting evidence (documentation) so that they
have more time to prepare it, but case officers aren’t silly, they can often see very clearly when your
intention is to do this and can refuse the application even if it isn’t mandatory to attach those documents
at the time of lodgement (case officers don’t have to request it from you, they can just simply refuse!). It
is best to do every step correctly and double check everything.
5. Withholding Information or Telling Lies
Many applicants tend to hide some information which might keep them on hold or tell lies in order to be
approved quicker. There have been many cases in which applications have been refused or denied
because a small part of information is missing or does not make sense along with the hundreds of other
statements in the application. Withholding information or telling lies is grounds for visa cancellation even
once you get settled into Australia, so it is never worth it. If you are completing an application and have
doubt that your circumstances are actually suitable for that visa upon further consideration, then it is
certainly worth seeking advice from a registered Migration Agent. Any doubt in your mind is surely going
to also be doubt for the assessing officer.
6. Interviews
One of the reasons why people fail at interviews is because they fail to express themselves in English. It is
possible to get an interpreter for this case. There are also those who say too much information and other
unrelated things which make it difficult for the Case Officer or Tribunal Member to comprehend and lead
to more questioning. This is where coaching from a professional can assist greatly. There are also others
who argue with Case Officers when they ask questions or give their thoughts. If you don’t 100%
understand the question that is being asked, then ask for clarification.
Want to find out more information? Email migration@industryplacementsaustralia.com.au to book in a
free 30 minute consultation.
Author: Evan Bishop MARN 1679414
I love it when folks get together and share ideas. Great site, continue the good
work!