Coronavirus and Temporary Visa holders (whose visa are expiring or have expired)
14 January 2020
If you want to visit or stay in Australia, or sponsor someone to visit or stay in Australia, you can get help with the visa process from a registered migration agent.
Only registered migration agents can legally give immigration assistance in Australia. To do this, they must be listed on the Register of Migration Agents, held by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Be careful of unlawful operators pretending to be registered migration agents. Always check MARA website to make sure you are using a registered migration agent.
Immigration assistance (under section 276 of the Migration Act 1958) is when a person uses or claims to use knowledge of, or experience in migration procedure to assist with visa applications or other visa matters by:
- advising about a visa application or visa matter
- preparing, or helping to prepare, a visa application or other document
- preparing for proceedings before a court or review authority in relation to a visa application or visa matter
- representing in proceedings before a court or review authority in relation to a visa application or visa matter.
It is important to note the OMARA has jurisdiction to consider complaints about registered migration agents only. If you encounter an unlawful operator providing immigration assistance, report them to the Department of Home Affairs through the Border Watch online report.
If you want to visit or stay in Australia, or sponsor someone to visit or stay in Australia, you can get help with the visa process from a registered migration agent.
