Immigration Law

Sydney Immigration Lawyer for Visa Applications, Appeals & Citizenship

Navigating Australia's complex immigration system requires expert legal guidance. Mary Stephan provides strategic immigration law advice throughout Sydney and NSW, assisting individuals and families with visa applications, refusals, appeals, and citizenship matters.

Immigration Law Services

• Partner & Spouse Visas - Assisting with partner visa applications (subclass 820/801, 309/100), prospective marriage visas, evidence preparation, relationship documentation, and responding to Department requests for further information.

• Skilled Migration & Work Visas - Advising on skilled independent visas, employer-sponsored visas (subclass 482, 186), skilled regional visas, and temporary work visa applications for professionals and skilled workers.

• Family Visas - Parent visas, child visas, remaining relative visas, and other family stream applications reuniting families in Australia.

• Student Visas - Applications for student visas (subclass 500), conditions compliance, course changes, and transitioning from student to skilled or partner visas.

• Citizenship Applications - Australian citizenship by conferral applications, citizenship tests, residency requirement calculations, and character assessments.

• Visa Refusals & Appeals - Challenging visa refusals, preparing Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) applications, Federal Circuit Court appeals, and ministerial intervention requests.

• Visa Cancellations - Responding to visa cancellation notices, Section 116 cancellations, character-based cancellations under Section 501, and urgent representation for detained visa holders.

• Bridging Visas - Applications for bridging visas maintaining lawful status while substantive visa applications are processed or appealed.

• Employer Sponsorship - Assisting employers with sponsorship obligations, labor agreements, Skilling Australians Fund levy, and compliance with sponsorship conditions.

• Protection Visas & Refugee Claims - Advising on protection visa applications, refugee claims, complementary protection, and safe haven enterprise visas.

• Business & Investment Visas - Business innovation and investment visas (subclass 188/888), significant investor visas, and business talent visas.

• Compliance & Condition Breaches - Responding to visa condition breaches, work condition violations, study requirement failures, and Department compliance investigations.

Serving Sydney's Diverse Communities

Mary provides immigration law services to diverse communities across Sydney:

• Western Sydney - Parramatta, Fairfield, Liverpool, Cabramatta, Bankstown, Auburn, Granville, Mt Druitt, Blacktown, Penrith - serving large multicultural communities

• Inner West - Marrickville, Lakemba, Campsie, Ashfield, Burwood, Strathfield

• CBD & Inner City - Sydney CBD, Haymarket, Chinatown, Ultimo

• Eastern Suburbs - Bondi, Randwick, Kingsford, Maroubra

• North Shore - Chatswood, Eastwood, Epping, Hornsby

• Northern Beaches - Manly, Dee Why

• South Sydney - Hurstville, Kogarah, Rockdale

• All NSW Regional Areas

  
  

When to Seek Immigration Advice

Contact Mary if you're applying for any visa, received a visa refusal or request for further information, facing visa cancellation, want to bring family to Australia, need citizenship application assistance, have compliance or condition breach issues, or require urgent representation for detention matters.

Why Choose Mary for Immigration Law

• Complex Case Experience - Mary handles straightforward applications and complex matters involving refusals, character issues, and appeals.

• Multi-Practice Advantage - Immigration issues often intersect with criminal law (visa cancellation from criminal charges), family law (relationship evidence for partner visas), and employment law (work visa compliance).

• Cultural Sensitivity - Serving Sydney's diverse multicultural communities with understanding of different cultural backgrounds and immigration challenges.

• Strategic Advice - Mary provides honest assessment of visa prospects, alternative pathways, and risk management for immigration applications.

Common Questions

How long do partner visas take to process?

Partner visa processing times vary significantly. Offshore partner visas (309/100) currently take 18-24+ months. Onshore partner visas (820/801) can take 24-36+ months depending on complexity and Department workload.

Can I work while my visa is being processed?

This depends on your current visa status and whether you hold a bridging visa with work rights. Mary can advise on your specific situation and apply for bridging visas with appropriate conditions.

What happens if my visa is refused?

You may have appeal rights to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) or Federal Circuit Court depending on the visa type and refusal grounds. Time limits apply - seek legal advice immediately upon refusal.

Can criminal charges affect my visa?

Yes. Criminal convictions can result in visa refusal, visa cancellation under Section 501 (character grounds), and affect permanent residency and citizenship applications. If you're charged with criminal offenses and hold a visa, seek urgent legal advice.

Contact Stephan & Co Lawyers