Chua Tan Associate Lawyers
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Australian Migration Lawyers - Certified Migration Specialists from the Australian Law Society

As a leading Australian migration law firm since 1990, we have helped thousands of clients from around the world successfully migrate to Australia and obtain Australian PR (Permanent Residency). Our team of experienced Australian Law Society accredited specialist migration lawyers are dedicated to providing you with the best possible migration solution.

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since 1

Years of Experience in Australian Migration Law

Established in 1990 and specialising in Australian migration law, we were one of the first migration law firms in Australia.

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Accredited Immigration Law Specialists

There are fewer than 100 lawyers in Australia with this accreditation.

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successful applicants

Every year, we help hundreds of clients successfully obtain Australian visas.

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Languages

Our immigration lawyers speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien and Malay.

We are Accredited Immigration Law Specialists.
In Australia, only Australian Certified Migration Law Specialists can use the above logo.

Choose the most professional Australian Migration Lawyers for your life's major events

AustraliaJust over 90The lawyers are accredited with the Australian Migration Specialist Lawyers, and our migration law specialist lawyers have in-depth expertise and extensive practical experience in dealing with a number ofComplex immigration cases (e.g. cases involving health issues, criminal records, false information, etc.) to help you in Australia.PRin the application process of theHighest chance of success.

Our firm has specialised in the field of immigration law since 1989. In 1993, during the Federal Court appeal of Mr. Deyong Zhang case, we worked hard for justice and affected the residency issues of nearly 6,000 mainland Chinese students. Mr. Chua repeatedly petitioned the Minister of Immigration to promote the development of the Australia's migration policy. In 1994, he helped nearly 30 Chinese residents without valid visas to successfully obtain permanent residence. Since 1995, Mr. Chua successfully handled countless refugee cases and was certified by the Victorian Legal profession as an expert in immigration law after a rigorous written examination and interview on the recommendation of three lawyers. For more than 30 years, Mr. Chua has been renowned in the Australian migration law community for his in-depth experience in migration law and his skilful approach to resolving cases.
KIN WEE CHUA
Accredited Immigration Specialist | Accredited Immigration Specialist
Chit graduated from the University of Melbourne with a double degree in Law and Science. He has been working as a migration law solicitor since 2003 and became a certified migration law specialist in 2016. He specialises in complex Australian immigration issues and has helped clients in various situations and even many former visa refusals to obtain Australian PR over the years. As an experienced Australian immigration lawyer, he has a strong reputation in the field of Australian immigration.
CHIT CHUA
Accredited Immigration Specialist | Accredited Immigration Specialist

Pathways to Permanent Residency in Australia

Australian Skilled Migration Visa

The GSM (Australian Skilled Migration Scheme) is Australia's preferred visa program for skilled workers. The GSM assesses an applicant's skills, qualifications and work experience and provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia - Australian PR.

Skills assessment: If your occupation is on the Australian Skilled Occupations List, you can start an Australian occupational skills assessment.

SkillSelect System: After assessment, applicants are required to submit an Expression of Interest for an Australian visa and wait for the Department of Immigration to issue an invitation to apply for a visa.

Types of Australian Skilled Migration Visas:

Independent Skilled Migrant (189 Visa)

This visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state or territory government or family member. To apply, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an invitation from the Home Office.

Skilled Nominee Visa (190 Visa)

Applicants must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government.190 visas allow skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in Australia as permanent residents. Similar to the 189 visa, applicants are required to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and then obtain a nomination from a state or territory.

Employer Sponsored (Temporary) Visa (494)

The 494 visa allows skilled workers to work in remote areas of Australia and is available to employers who are unable to find an Australian citizen or permanent resident to fill the position. Eligible employer sponsorship is required.

Skilled (temporary) visas for remote areas (491)

Applicants may be nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in a remote area of Australia. After a certain period of living and working in a designated regional area, visa holders may be eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident (Skilled Regional) visa (191).

Permanent Residence (Remote Area Skilled) Visa (191 Visa)

From November 2022, this visa will apply to individuals holding a Class 491 or Class 494 visa who must have lived, worked or studied in remote Australia for at least three years and meet minimum taxable income criteria.

Australian Employer Sponsored Visa.

  1. Employer Requirements: Employers must demonstrate a genuine need for foreign workers and show that there are no Australian workers available for the position. Upon approval, a skilled worker may be nominated.
  2. Visa Application: Once nominated, skilled workers can apply for an Australian visa. This includes meeting specific age, skill and language requirements and having an occupation on the Australian Skilled Occupations List.
  3. VISA APPROVAL AND CONDITIONS: A visa will be granted upon successful application. Depending on the visa subclass, conditions may apply, such as living and working in a specific region or working with a specific employer.

Australian Employer Sponsored Visa Requirements.

  • Occupation on a relevant list: The applicant's occupation must normally be listed on one of Australia's occupational lists.
  • Employer Nomination: An approved Australian employer will need to nominate you for a specific position in their organisation.
  • Skills assessment: Most visas require a skills assessment.
  • English Language Proficiency: Proof of English language proficiency is required, through tests such as IELTS or PTE.
  • Age Limit: Depending on the employer visa category, some will have an age limit.

Employer Sponsored Visa Category.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Permanent Residence Visa (186)

The 186 visa, also known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) permanent residence visa, is a permanent resident visa in Australia. It is available to skilled workers who have been nominated by an employer in Australia. This visa allows the applicant and their family members to reside and work permanently in Australia. Candidates must be nominated by an Australian employer and also fulfil age, skill and language requirements. Applicants and their family members who are granted the 186 visa can live, work and study in Australia indefinitely and enjoy most of the rights and privileges of Australian citizens.

Remote Area Sponsored Migrant (Permanent Residence) Visa (187)

The 187 visa is a Remote Area Sponsored Migration (Permanent Residence) visa for skilled workers who are sponsored by employers in remote areas of Australia. Applicants are required to have an occupation listed on the relevant regional occupations list and are required to pass the appropriate skills assessment and English language proficiency test. This visa gives skilled workers and their family members the right to reside and work permanently in a regional area of Australia.

Remote Area Employer Nomination (Temporary) Visa (494)

A 494 visa is a temporary (provisional) visa, normally valid for five years, which requires the applicant to be in an occupation listed on the relevant regional occupational list, pass the necessary skills assessment and achieve a certain level of English proficiency. The visa lasts for a maximum of five years and after a certain period of living and working in a remote area under the visa, the applicant may be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence (Remote Skilled) Visa (Class 191).

Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa (482)

The 482 visa is a Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa that allows candidates nominated by Australian employers to have occupations on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This visa is usually available to skilled workers on a short or long term basis and is subject to specific skills assessments and language requirements. Through this visa, workers can work in Australia for a period of up to four years, depending on the process used to obtain their visa.

Australian Family Sponsorship Visa

The Australian Family Sponsorship Visa is a visa type that allows an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to sponsor a member of their family for an Australian visa.

General requirements for family sponsorship visas:

  • Relationship verification: Applicants will need to provide documents that demonstrate their relationship to their Australian sponsor, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, proof of family ties, etc. These documents need to demonstrate a genuine and valid family relationship.
  • Sponsor eligibility: An Australian sponsor should normally be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Sponsors need to fulfil certain requirements to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial capacity to support the sponsored person's living expenses.
  • Health Requirements: Most family sponsorship visas require applicants to undergo a health screening and ensure that they are not a potential health risk or an undue burden on the Australian community and healthcare system.
  • Character assessment: Applicants are usually required to undergo a character assessment, which involves providing a police background check and other relevant documents to ensure that they do not have a criminal record or bad character.
  • Financial guarantees: In some cases, sponsors may be required to provide financial guarantees to ensure that the sponsored person does not become a burden on social welfare in Australia.
  • English Language Requirement: The Family Sponsorship Visa does not normally require the applicant to fulfil the English language requirement.

Spouse Visa

The application process for a spouse visa involves confirming eligibility, collecting the required documents, submitting an online application, undergoing a health and character assessment, and then waiting for approval. Once approved, applicants are granted a temporary visa that allows them to join their partner in Australia. After a certain period of time, an application for a permanent visa to obtain permanent residency can begin. It is important to carefully follow the specific requirements of each visa type and seek professional guidance when needed.

Parent Visa

An Australian parent visa is a visa type that allows Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their parents to come to Australia. These visas allow parents to join their Australian children and reside in Australia for a period of time.

Visa for children

Australia's Child Visa is a visa type that allows Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their minor children to come to Australia. These visas are designed to allow parents to reunite with their children and to reside and be educated in Australia.

Remaining relatives' and carers' visas

The Remaining Relative Visa for applicants who have no other relatives in Australia and the Carer Visa for applicants who are providing long-term care are two types of Australian family class visas. Application requirements and processes vary depending on the visa type.

Australian Investment Visa

The Australian Investment Visa is a visa type designed for applicants who wish to migrate by making a business investment or starting a business in Australia.

General requirements for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa include:

  • Financial Requirements: Applicants are usually required to meet a certain minimum investment amount, which varies depending on the investment subcategory.
  • Age Requirements: Certain investment subcategories may have an upper age limit on the applicant's age.
  • Business experience: Some investment subcategories may require applicants to have relevant business or investment experience.
  • Health and Character: Applicants are required to pass a health screening and character assessment.

Types of Investment Visa

Business and Investment (Temporary) Visa (188)

The Class 188 visa is an Australian investment migration visa designed to attract experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Holders of this visa can conduct business activities in Australia, including starting a new business, investing in and managing a business, or participating in a designated entrepreneurial programme. Applicants need to fulfil specific financial requirements, business experience and age conditions, as well as pass an innovation points test. This visa is usually temporary, but can be converted to permanent under certain conditions.

Visa 888 - Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa

The 888 visa is an Australian permanent residency visa for people who hold a Class 188 visa and have successfully operated a business in Australia for at least 2 years. This visa requires specific asset, turnover and employment conditions to be met. With an 888 visa, you will become a permanent resident of Australia and enjoy permanent residency. This is one of the ways that investors and entrepreneurs can live and work in Australia on a permanent basis.

Common Reasons for Australian Visa Refusal

There are many reasons why a visa may be refused. Errors or omissions in the application, health issues, or a failure to make clear the intention to travel to Australia can lead to a visa refusal. Sometimes the immigration department may not be so sure about the financial stability of the applicant, or they may consider some documents to be missing or unverified.

How to Appeal a Visa Refusal

If a visa application is refused, this is not the end of the road. There are ways to appeal the decision. Typically, this involves taking your case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and, in more complex cases, even to the Federal Court.

Our Australian immigration lawyers can help you:

Our team of certified specialist immigration law attorneys has experience gained at all levels of the immigration review and appeal process. We also regularly represent clients in litigation against Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) decisions in the Federal Court. In addition, we can also represent clients in immigration ministerial interventions following AAT reviews.

 

Employer Nomination Visa Refusal

Such refusals usually stem from an employer's failure to meet sponsorship obligations, a position that does not fit the nominated role, or an applicant's failure to meet skills, qualifications or English language requirements.

Spouse visa refusal

If the relationship is not sufficiently genuine and trustworthy, or if necessary documents, such as evidence of an ongoing relationship, are missing or insufficient, this may lead to a visa refusal. Inconsistencies in statements during the interview may also be an issue.

Work Visa Refusal

Reasons for refusal may include doubts about the real need for the applicant's role in the organisation, insufficient evidence of relevant skills, or inconsistencies in the employment contract.

Student visa refusal

Common reasons include doubts about a genuine willingness to learn, failure to meet financial requirements, inconsistent educational documentation, or failure to meet health or character standards.

Family Sponsorship Visa Refusal

These refusals usually stem from failure to provide sufficient evidence of a bona fide relationship with the sponsor, doubts about the sponsor's ability to support the applicant, or health and character screening concerns.

Cancellation of permanent resident status

This may be because the permanent resident has been away from Australia for an extended period of time, has engaged in activities that contravene the conditions of the visa, or has been found to have provided misleading information during the original application process.

Customer Reviews

Sheryn LohGoogle review from client
Was recommended to this firm by a family friend for their immigration services. was skeptical at first due to a few bad experiences with lawyers and migration agencies, but after the initial consultation with Chit over the phone, all doubts were cleared and I was delightfully surprised by his work. was skeptical at first due to a few bad experiences with lawyers and migration agencies, but after the initial consultation with Chit over the phone, all doubts were cleared and I was delightfully surprised by his Even after engaging with Chua Tan Associates, the standard of their service did not disappoint - they were very helpful in dealing with migration affairs. Even after engaging with Chua Tan Associates, the standard of their service did not disappoint - they were fast and efficient, provided consistent updates with my application, and promptly answered my many queries and doubts. They were fast and efficient, provided consistent updates with my application, and promptly answered my many queries and doubts. In addition, the cost of their services were very clear and reasonable - I liked the fact that they charged me in stages rather than one whole amount lumpsum I liked the fact that they charged me in stages rather than one whole amount lumpsum like they do in most migration agencies, as I liked to know what I was paying for and also with this way, I knew that they were still following up on my In the end, I was notified of my application. In the end, I was notified of the end result of my application within 2 months, rather than the initial minimum duration of 3 months. Big shoutout to Chit and Daphne for their excellent service. Big shoutout to Chit and Daphne for their excellent service. If possible, I would give 10/5 stars. Will strongly recommend their services to family and friends in the future. A family friend recommended their immigration services. Initially, I was sceptical due to some bad experiences with lawyers and immigration agencies, but after an initial phone consultation with Chit, all doubts were removed and I was pleasantly surprised by his professionalism, in-depth knowledge and experience in dealing with immigration. Even after working with Chua Tan Associates, their standard of service did not disappoint - they were quick and efficient, provided consistent updates on my application and answered my many queries and doubts in a timely manner. In addition, the fees for their services are very clear and reasonable - I like the fact that they charge me in stages, rather than all at once as most immigration agencies do, because I want to know what I'm paying for and by doing so, I know that they're still following up on my application (no more such queries now!) . In the end, I received the final result of my application within 2 months instead of the initial 3 months. Many thanks to Chit and Daphne for their excellent service. I would give them a ten out of five if I could. Will highly recommend their services to family and friends in the future.
Howard DiepGoogle review from client
I've had a very positive experience with Chua Tan Associates, they've been absolutely professional and prompt in dealing with my case. I'd like to thank Mr Kin Chua, Mr Justin Chua and Chua Tan associates for their assistance in ensuring the best outcome and providing consistent updates. I'd like to thank Mr Kin Chua, Mr Justin Chua and Chua Tan associates for their assistance in ensuring the best outcome and providing consistent updates. Translation: My experience with Chua Tan Associates has been very positive and they have been very professional and prompt in dealing with my case. I would like to thank Mr Kin Chua, Mr Justin Chua and Chua Tan associates for their assistance in ensuring the best outcome and providing consistent updates.
Goh sing siangGoogle review from client
Having CTA assisted on my visa application is like taking a first class flight: sit back, relax and enjoy the journey (speed and service). I was prudently guided throughout the whole process. All my queries were cleared by CTA. My documents were reviewed and checked by CTA before submission, which created my strong sense of trust in CTA. My documents were reviewed and checked by CTA before submission, which created my strong sense of trust in CTA. Translation: Having CTA assist me with my visa application was like travelling first class: sit back, relax and enjoy the ride (speed and service). I was discreetly guided throughout the process. All my queries were answered by CTA. My documents were reviewed and checked by CTA before submission, which gave me a strong sense of trust in CTA.
Octavia OngGoogle review from client
Mr. Chit Chua and his team, have been amazing, a miracle maker, in saying that, my family and I came to him with a very short time frame with a very complicated matter and had to act promptly as it is time sensitive with all immigration matter. Mr Chit Chua and his team have been amazing, a miracle maker, in saying that, my family and I came to him with a very short time frame with a very complicated matter and had to act promptly as it is time sensitive with all immigration matter, despite the time pressure that we have placed them in, they respond with kindness, dedication, sincerity, diligently looking at all the documents that we have basically given to them and return with the utmost professionalism and advise us on all our immigration matters. professionalism and advise us on all our legal obligations and risks involved, all the cost detailing with our legal matter is upfront and clear, no hidden fees, and to take the necessary steps to ensure that our legal obligations and risks are met. No case is too complicated for them. I would strongly recommend them. My family and I will gladly take up on their service again in the near future. Translation: Mr Chit Chua and his team are excellent and miracle workers, my family and I found him in a very short time, dealt with a very complex problem and had to act quickly. Immigration issues and despite the time pressures we put on them, they responded with friendliness, dedication, sincerity, diligently went through basically all the documents we provided them with and fed back with the utmost professionalism and advised us on all of our legal obligations as well as the risks involved, the details of all the costs of our legal matters were very clear and there were no hidden costs, and took the necessary steps to achieve the results we wanted. No case is too complex for them. I highly recommend them. My family and I would be happy to take their services again in the near future.
Reza AbbassiGoogle review from client
I had a very positive experience with Chua Tan & Associates. Good service and reasonable price. They helped me through my immigration journey so that it was absolutely effortless for me. They helped me through my immigration journey so that it was absolutely effortless for me. I knew my fate was in good hands. My experience with Chua Tan & Associates was very positive. Good service and reasonable price. They helped me through my immigration journey, which was absolutely effortless for me. I know my destiny is in good hands. I highly recommend Chua Tan & Associates.
Christine LuGoogle review from client
Kin Wee, Chit, Cynthia and their team at Chua Tan Associates were prompt, focused and diligent in helping me obtain my Australian PR. They understood the sense of urgency I had in applying for status. They understood the sense of urgency I had in applying for status. The team was fantastic and easy to work with, even in a remote setting. They answered all my questions thoroughly and took the stress of corresponding with government entities out of my hands. I'd highly recommend them to I'd highly recommend them to anyone pursuing visa / migration / legal needs in Australia - 10/10, I would work with them every time. Translation: Kin Wee, Chit, Cynthia and their team at Chua Tan Associates were quick, dedicated and diligent in helping me obtain permanent residency in Australia. They understood the urgency of my application for status. The team was great and easy to work with even in a remote environment. They thoroughly answered all my questions and took the stress out of corresponding with the government. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking visa/immigration/legal needs in Australia - 10/10 and I will work with them every time.
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