Chua Tan Associate Lawyers
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Melbourne Immigration Lawyers

Since 1990, Chua Tan Associates has helped individuals, families and businesses with Australian visas and immigration. Two of our lawyers, Kin Wee Chua and Chit Thian Chua, are Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law.

We regularly handle complex and difficult matters, including visa refusals and cancellations, Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) appeals, PIC 4020, health waivers and character issues. We act for clients in Australia and overseas, in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.

LIV Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law logo
Law Institute of Victoria member logo
Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) logo
Fellow of the Society of Notaries of Victoria logo

Your matter overseen by Accredited Specialists

Our two Accredited Specialists set the strategy on your matter, with Harry Ling handling the day-to-day work. Wherever you are, in Australia or overseas, you can speak with our lawyers in Chinese by video.

Immigration planning for cross-border families and business owners

Many of our clients have family, assets or a business in both Australia and Asia. We plan your visa alongside everything else:

  • Bringing parents and family to Australia, including contributory parent visas
  • National Innovation visa and employer-sponsored options for business owners and investors
  • Children studying in Australia (500 Student and 590 Student Guardian visas) and longer-term planning after graduation
  • Notarising, legalising and translating overseas documents – we have an in-house Notary Public
  • How your visa status affects FIRB approval when buying property in Australia
  • Wills, powers of attorney and succession planning before and after you move

The Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188) closed to new applications in July 2024. Entrepreneurs and investors who want to move to Australia now generally look at the National Innovation visa, employer sponsorship or state nomination. We assess the best pathway for your background, assets and business, and help current 188 holders apply for the subclass 888 permanent visa.

  • 858 National Innovation visa
  • 888 Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa – for existing 188 holders
  • 482 Skills in Demand visa – an employer-sponsored pathway once you have a business in Australia
  • 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (permanent) visa

We help employers sponsor overseas workers, and help employees, graduates and working holiday makers apply for the right work visa.

  • 482 Skills in Demand visa (formerly Temporary Skill Shortage)
  • 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
  • 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
  • 485 Temporary Graduate visa
  • 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
  • 407 Training visa
  • 408 Temporary Activity visa
  • 417 / 462 Working Holiday visas

We advise individuals and employers on permanent residence pathways, whether through an occupation, employer sponsorship or state nomination.

  • 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (permanent) visa
  • 189 Skilled Independent visa
  • 190 Skilled Nominated visa
  • 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa
  • 858 National Innovation visa

Permanent residents whose travel facility has expired need a resident return visa to come back to Australia. We assess your ties to Australia and prepare the application.

  • 155 / 157 Resident Return visas
  • 151 Former Resident visa

We help partners, parents and children join their family in Australia, including contributory parent visas and partner visas for couples married overseas.

  • 820 / 801 Partner visa (onshore)
  • 309 / 100 Partner visa (offshore)
  • 300 Prospective Marriage visa
  • 103 / 143 / 173 Parent visas (including Contributory Parent)
  • 804 / 864 / 884 Aged Parent visas
  • 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa
  • 101 / 802 Child visas

We help with visits, study and student guardians, and plan ahead for longer-term residence.

  • 600 Visitor visa
  • 500 Student visa
  • 590 Student Guardian visa
  • Visa extensions and changing visa type

We advise and represent people seeking protection in Australia.

  • 866 Protection visa
  • Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) review of protection visa decisions

If your visa has been refused or cancelled, the time limit to seek review is usually short and is set out in your decision letter. Contact us as early as you can. We act on:

  • Reviews in the Administrative Review Tribunal (the ART, which replaced the AAT in October 2024)
  • Responses to a Notice of Intention to Consider Cancellation (NOICC)
  • Section 116 and section 501 (character) cancellations
  • PIC 4020 (false or misleading information) issues
  • Health requirement waivers
  • Judicial review in the Federal Circuit and Family Court and the Federal Court
  • Ministerial intervention requests

We help permanent residents apply for Australian citizenship, including more complicated cases.

  • Citizenship by conferral and residence requirement assessments
  • Residence requirement discretion
  • Character issues
  • Citizenship by descent

Our professional immigration legal services include but are not limited to:

  • Assessing the right visa pathway for your circumstances
  • Preparing and lodging visa applications
  • Visa extensions and changing visa type
  • Visa cancellation, character and health waiver issues under the Migration Act 1958
  • Australian citizenship applications
  • Citizenship cessation, character and residence discretion issues under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007
  • Applications to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)
  • Judicial review in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, the Federal Court and the High Court

Our expert lawyers provide online legal consultation.

Book a consultation online – meet us at our Melbourne CBD office or speak with us by video.

Contact us

Visa guides

Visa guides for professionals, business owners and families planning a move to Australia:

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the visa, the type of decision and whether you are in Australia. The time limit is usually short and is stated in your decision letter. A late application generally cannot be accepted, so contact us as soon as you receive the decision.

An Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law is a practising lawyer who has passed the Law Institute of Victoria's specialist assessment. Lawyers can also act for you in court, for example in judicial review, which migration agents cannot do.

Yes. We regularly act for clients in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. Consultations can be held by video and documents signed electronically.

Yes. Our lawyers work in Mandarin, Cantonese and English, and can explain important documents to you in Chinese.

Initial consultations are charged by time. Before you engage us, we give you a written costs disclosure so you know what your matter will cost.

Client 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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Chua Tan Associates has provided legal services in English and Chinese to the Chinese community in Melbourne and across Australia since 1990. If you have a question, call us on (03) 9602 3988 or book online.

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Practice Areas

Family Law

Immigration Law