The Appeal Process for an Australia Visa Denial

Australia Visa applications can be tricky to figure out, even more so when you’re denied a visa by the Australian immigration service and told you need to apply again. If your application was rejected and you want to appeal the decision, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the appeal process with confidence. The infographic below summarizes the steps in an easy-to-read format, so it’s an excellent way to refer back to as you go through the process of applying again. Click here to view our infographic on how to appeal an Australia visa denial.

What is a visa

A visa is a permit, given by a country to a foreigner, allowing them to enter the country. Visas are usually issued as either single-entry or multiple-entry. Single-entry visas are valid only for one entry into the destination country and do not allow travel into any other countries while they are valid. Meanwhile multiple-entry visas allow travelers to make up to three entries into the destination country with each entry having a validity period of up to twelve months (unless otherwise stated).

what is a Visa Denial

A visa denial is when your application for a visa to enter Australia is rejected. You can appeal this decision, but it's important to know what you're getting into before you do. The first thing to know is that the visa denial letter should include information on how to appeal the decision and what documents you need. If it doesn't then contact them to find out more about the process. Your chances of success will depend largely on which country you are from and where you were trying to go, as well as why your application was denied in the first place.

General Information

Appealing a visa denial is not easy, but there are some steps you can take to make the process easier. The first step is to contact the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection with your appeal letter. The letter should include any new information that might have an impact on your case and should be written as soon as possible after receiving the notification from the department that you were denied. It may also help if you include evidence supporting your claim, such as medical records or court documents. It's best to get this letter in before it expires so check with the immigration department about deadlines.

What to do if your Australian visa application is denied

There are a few things to do if your Australian visa application is denied. Firstly, you can lodge a free enquiry with the Australian High Commission in the country where you live and request them to review your case on humanitarian grounds. If this does not work, you have the option to lodge an appeal against their decision by filling out a form and sending it back to them with supporting documents. Once they receive your letter of appeal, they will contact you within 14 days for more information about your case. It will take about one month for them to get back to you with their final decision on the matter.

Choosing the right appeal type

If you are denied a visa to Australia, it's important that you understand the different types of appeals that are available to you. The first step would be to determine which type of appeal best suits your situation by looking at the information provided in the denial letter. A number of factors can impact the type of appeal including: what type of visa you were denied, how soon after your application date do you file an appeal and who was involved with your application process.

Downloading, Completing and Submitting the Forms

Australia Visa Denial - How to Appeal a Visa Rejection? The first step to appealing a visa denial is to download the forms and fill them out. These include the Notice of Decision, Application Form, Application Fees Affidavit and any other supporting documents. If your application was denied because you don't meet certain criteria, you'll need to provide evidence that disproves this. For example, if you have a criminal record but believe that it should not prevent you from being eligible for the visa, then you'll need to submit documentation proving so. Once all required information has been submitted and reviewed, you will be notified by mail as to whether or not your appeal has been accepted.

Appealing Without Legal Counsel

If you want to appeal your visa rejection without the help of legal counsel, there are a few steps you need to follow. First, you need to submit your letter of appeal within 14 days of receiving the decision on your visa application. Your letter should include all the reasons why you were denied a visa and provide evidence that shows why they should give it to you. You should also enclose any additional information or documents that support your case. Once this is done, wait for a response from the Australian High Commission or Embassy where you submitted your letter of appeal.

If Australia rejected your request because they feel like you don't meet their requirements, then you may be able to satisfy their criteria if you can show them new documentation or prove some other point in your favor.

Appealing With Legal Counsel

If you have been denied a visa to Australia, you may be able to appeal the decision. There are two ways to do this: 1. Contact the consulate that made the decision and ask them to review your case again or 2. Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Australia with your evidence and they will review your case and make a new decision based on what you have provided. You can also hire a lawyer in Australia if you believe your case is strong enough to convince the Australian government to give you another chance. When you contact the attorney's office, they'll need to know details about your work experience and skills. They'll then determine whether or not it's worth appealing the rejection of your application for an Australia Visa. They might not take on the case if there isn't much hope for success. Once you've decided to go ahead with an appeal, your lawyer will provide you with some documents that show the new grounds for granting a visa to Australia. These papers include copies of any previous correspondence from the Australian immigration department and any other information that supports your claim.

Why Was My Australia Visa Denied?

A visa application may be denied because of the following reasons:

    Invalid Passport. Your passport must have been issued during the last ten years and must be valid for at least six months after you return from Australia. In cases where passports don’t meet these criteria, the Immigration Office won’t issue visas.

•     Incomplete Application Form. If you submit an incomplete application form, your visa request will most likely be denied.
•     Character Requirement Failure. Failure to meet the Australia visa character stipulation will result in visa rejection. In case your visa is denied on character grounds, you might not be given another visa.
•     Missing Documents. If you are missing a document that is required for the Australia visa application, then your visa request will be denied.
•     False Information. When applying for an Australian visa, you have to answer all the questions honestly and provide all accurate information. If you are found to have provided false information, your visa request may be denied.

• Failure to Answer Additional Requests. After you submit a visa application, the Immigration Office may ask you to provide additional documents or information. If you fail to answer these requests, you won’t receive a visa.
• Lack of Financial Means. If you can’t provide proof that you can support your trip in Australia, you won’t be granted a visa. It’s important to the Immigration Office to know that you are capable of financially supporting yourself.
• Lack of Health Insurance. In cases where health insurance is mandatory for specific visas (student visas), applicants must provide evidence they have purchased the required insurance. Lack of health insurance will result in visa refusal.

How Can I Challenge an Australian Visa Refusal?

If your visa application for Australia is rejected, follow these instructions to appeal the decision:

• Become a member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
• Payment of the Appeal Fee

Create an Account at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal is where you should go if your visa application is refused (AAT). You can submit a paper application or apply online at the AAT's official website, however the former is preferable due to the reduced workload. Anyone can apply on their own behalf, but having a sponsor or nominee makes the process much smoother.

Any written request for review of a decision must be submitted no later than 28 calendar days following the date of the notice of the decision. Neither the Immigration Office nor AAT can you a grace period if you miss the deadline. Seven days is all you have while in Immigration custody to file your appeal.

It’s important to remember that the appeal time will vary on the grounds of why your visa was rejected and on what type of visa you applied for. The Immigration Office will send a written decision regarding your visa and within the notice, you will have all the information regarding the deadline for appeal on how to appeal a visa refusal.

Remit the Appeal Fee

It costs roughly AUD1,826 to examine a standard application. If paying the entire cost would put you in serious financial hardship, you may be eligible for a reduction of up to half.

The cost must be paid before the appeal request date. If submitting your application in person, you must do so before the deadline and include the appropriate fee with your submission. Credit cards, checks, money orders, and e-checks are accepted methods of payment at the point of sale (EFTPOS).

In the event that the AAT rules against your appeal, you will get a full refund of your filing cost. If the judgment goes in your favor, the administration will provide you with a document and the necessary banking information to process a refund for half of the original charge or the amount you paid, whichever is less.

What Documents Do I Need to Submit With My Appeal Request?

Usually, you don’t have to submit any additional documents when you send your appeal application. The AAT will contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and let them know a visa appeal request is in process, then the Department will then send over all your relevant documents. There might be cases when the AAT asks you for additional information, but this may happen after you apply.

Can I Reapply if My Visa Is Rejected?

If your first application for a visa is rejected, you can try again. However, if the reasons for the rejection are simple to resolve (such as a missing document or a misunderstanding with the immigration office), you can first file for a visa appeal, in which case the refusal decision will be changed. You can submit an additional application if you still do not have a visa.

On the other side, you can even be prohibited from ever applying for another visa if your visa application was rejected because you failed the Australia character test.

Final Thought 

The appeal process can be stressful and time-consuming, but it can also be worth the effort. It's not always possible to know in advance if your application will be approved, but if you have a compelling reason to believe it will be, it's worth the time and effort to try. However, some people are simply out of luck. If you're one of those people, don't worry about it too much - just take solace in knowing that there are many ways to make Australia part of your world without needing a visa!