FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a number of frequently asked questions (FAQs), answers to which we will try explain clearly.  It should be noted that we cannot give accurate migration advise without having a detailed consultation with you first. Each situation is different and we need to have all the facts before providing you with legal or migration advice.  The best option is always to book a consultation with us and we can guide you through the legal maze!

Should you wish to book an appointment with us, please call us on +61 (0) 2 6140 5311 or email [email protected] or use the contact us page. We would be delighted to arrange a date and time that is suitable to you.

What visa do I need?

That really depends on your circumstances.  Our accredited specialist or one of our senior migration agents would have to have a  meeting with you to determine your needs. This meeting can take place in person in our Canberra office, via Zoom or Teams, or over the phone.  It would be during this paid consultation that we would be able to understand your situation and confirm the best way forward for you.  We would also discuss all the costs associated with the visa we are applying for on your behalf, including our services fees and the Department’s fees. You can arrange an initial paid consultation with us by emailing [email protected] or calling our Canberra office on 02 6140 5311.  This initial consultation would take around a hour to an hour and a half depending on the complexity of your case.

Why would I use a migration agent when I can apply for a visa myself?

Yes you can apply for your own visa. However in our experience this huge task is often more complex and confusing than most people are prepared for. Visa applications can also be extremely time consuming. Even the smallest mistake on your application can lead to a visa being refused. We at TranQuill Legal know the Australian visa system better than most and are well placed to advise you on the best options for you and your situation. Ultimately we save you a vast amount of time and angst. Our professionalism and expertise is what you pay for.

Can you guarantee I will be granted a visa?

We work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure the best outcome possible, often working late into the evening and weekends. However the visa grant decision is in the hands of the Department of Immigration. We are unfortunately unable to definitively confirm you will be granted a visa at the time of lodgement. It is actually against our code of conduct to guarantee an outcome, but we will not take you on as a client unless we are confident you meet all the criteria and that the visa is the best and correct one for you.

How long will it take for my visa to be granted?

The length of time from the submission of your visa application to potential grant date depends on the type of visa.  Some visas have far shorter processing times than others.  We can give you a good ‘ball park’ time frame when lodging your visa but cannot say exactly will the result will be known.

What will it cost me to get a visa?

Fees charged by us and the lodgement fees charged by the Department of Home Affairs depend on the type of visa you are applying for.  During your initial paid consultation with our accredited specialist or one of our senior migration agents we will be able to advise you of the expected complete cost of your visa application. This would include all of our fees and the Department of Immigration’s fees.  We can’t give you a finite figure for the full cost of your visa application until we have established your needs and what visa it is you will be applying for.  You are able to view the visa fee estimator on the Department of Home Affairs website but if you did want us to lodge an application on your behalf, the TranQuill Legal fees are additional.

Can I pay cash? WIll I get a discount if I do?

To be honest, accepting cash is a proverbial pain in the you-know-what. It costs us MORE to process cash as we have to walk to the bank, and the boss is old and fat and doesn’t like to exercise. Also with COVID19 still causing havoc many businesses, including ours, have simply stopped taking cash.

We offer a myriad of other ways to pay – we use Square and it accepts most cards including Amex, as well as NFC options such as ApplePay. If you can make the Square go bing! we will accept it. You can also pay in advance by EFT or Osko etc.

So no, sorry, we don’t take cash and we don’t offer discounts for it.

Do you offer free consultations?

We liken our consultations to going to see your doctor.  You are given a comprehensive consultation with an accredited specialist or experienced, senior migration agents and leave armed with all the information you will need to make an informed decision on how to proceed.  You wouldn’t expect to have an hour of your medical specialist’s time for free – would you? Or ask a qualified tradesman to come spend an hour working on your house for free?

I don’t live in Canberra so can’t come to your office – can we still meet?

Our migration consultations can be conducted over the phone or via Zoom or Teams and are very happy to offer this service to you if it is more in keeping with your needs.  Just give us a call on  +61 (0) 2 6140 5311 or email us on [email protected] and we will get back in touch with you to arrange a meeting and establish the best way to contact you at a time that suits you.

I live outside Australia, can you still help me?

Yes!  We can conduct off-shore consultations via phone or Zoom or Teams. When booking a consultation, we need to consider the time difference between Australia and the country you are living in!   Call us on  +61 (0) 2 6140 5311 or email us on [email protected] and we will get back in touch with you to arrange a meeting.  We can then establish the best way to contact you and an appropriate time for the call.

I see you are also a Notary Public – what do you charge for the notarisation of documents?

A notary appointment usually takes around half an hour , depending on the complexity of the work required. Allow an hour if you have 3 documents or more – the parking inspectors are like mosquitos around here.

We currently charge $145 (inc GST) for the first document being notarised and $65 (inc GST) per subsequent document when notarised at the same appointment.  There is also a small credit card surcharge.

Indian Powers of Attorney are a little more complex and usually require two witnesses, thumbprints and passport photos. We currently charge $195 (inc GST) for these.

We accept credit card, EFTPOS and Applepay (in office only).  We can also arrange for you to pay by bank transfer if preferred.

We can obtain the required authentication or Apostille from DFAT also for an additional fee.
If you need us to draft legal documents on your behalf we can provide a quote to do so.

Do you offer visas for New Zealand?

Unfortunately we are only legally registered to provide services for visas to Australia at this time.