| Lawyers |
Migration Agents |
| Lawyers have undergone formal legal education and training, and have
spent many years specialising in the practice area of immigration
law. |
Most agents do not have formal legal education and legal
training. |
| Client’s private information is ‘privileged’, ie. all personal
information are protected by the common law doctrine of legal
professional privilege. This ensures that your private information
remains confidential. |
Agents do not have to adhere to the same legal client privilege
requirement. |
| It is a requirement by the DIMIA that all visa documentations be
certified copy of the originals. Lawyers are authorised by the Australian
law to certify documents to be the true copies of the originals.
Thus, this saves time and costs for the applicants. |
Agents generally do not have the legal authority to certify
documentation for their clients. Engaging a third party to certify
documents may incur extra costs for you. |
| Lawyers are competent in the area of immigration laws and proficient
in all types of legal requirements for different visa classes. After
gaining a better understanding of your individual circumstance, lawyers
are able to design a range of immigration options that are legally
feasible, and advise you as to the best solution to maximise the
chance of success even though prima facie, it is not a favourable
case. During the process of your visa application, migration lawyers
are generally also able to assist the client’s case by making legal
arguments on the basis of case law and immigration regulations. |
Without a formal legal background and training and a good grasp
of immigration laws, the solutions that agents offer may be limited,
therefore lack the capacity to assist you to maximise your
chances of successfully obtaining an Australian visa. |
| Lawyers can continue to represent you in appealing your case in the
Migration Review Tribunal and at the Federal Court. |
Agents do not have the legal authority to represent you at the
Federal Court. |
| During and after the process of your migration application, you
may also need our legal assistance in other legal matters such as
purchasing a property and/or business. For example, most business
visa applicants have the desire to invest in business in Australia
or have joint ventures with Australian companies, you would then
need a lawyer who is able to handle your business legal affairs
which is related to your migration purpose. Therefore, our expertise
in commercial law is very vital in providing you a professional
advice. A lawyer, having prior knowledge in your individual
circumstance, would thus be able to provide quick and professional
advice. |
Agents do not have the legal qualification and expertise to deal
with other areas of law such as company law and taxation law.
Therefore, when some migration-related issues that have implications
for other areas of law, you would have to spend more money to engage
a lawyer to handle your business legal
affairs. |
