Your Migration Consultation is one of the most critical steps in your migration journey. The better prepared you are for this meeting, the more clarity you will have for your next steps. A well-primed consultation session can also make things easier for you down the track, working towards your visa application.
"The more you can contribute, the more value you will receive..."
This is the time to work together.
Your migration consultant will ask a lot of questions about you, your history, and your migration goals, so be mindful to share important information about yourself. Whether it’s your work experience, a degree, or a new career pathway that is opening up to you, sharing those details is really important at this time. Think of this meeting as an exchange of value – that is to say, the more you can contribute, the more value you will receive!
Your consultant will want to discuss topics such as:
- your Australian visa history
- your professional experience
- your education and qualifications
- your family (such as partners and/or children), and
- your visa history internationally, your health, or potential criminal history.
It’s important that you:
- are honest about your intentions and what you’re really willing to do
- share your expectations
- are open about any budget limitations you may have so a realistic pathway can be created
- are realistic about the documents/evidence you can get, and
- keep an open mind, as this may unlock new possibilities during the consultation.
Gather as much information as you can on-hand before your consultation to make the most effective use of this time that you can.
Make the most of your consultation!
Realistically, a single consultation session passes quickly, and if all the necessary information isn’t on-hand, you won’t have what you need to work through things comprehensively. But with keen preparation and a decisive mindset, you can maximise what benefits you gain from this time.
A consultation is naturally a conversational meeting – the consultant will have numerous questions, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions too – but make the most of this opportunity by trying to plan some questions before your session. Write these down and bring them along to your consultation.
Planning your questions ahead of time will help you make sense of your priorities and will also provide a framework for your consultant to understand the most important factors in your current position.
Understand what you’re really getting into
The immigration process is challenging for most people. For your hard work to pay off in the end, your commitment will require time and energy – for incidental things, like gathering and preparing your documents, and for significant choices that will affect the course of your life. This is why insightful, well-informed support is so crucially important. And trust us – what you can achieve in the end will make everything worth it!
Every type of visa is distinctive with its own unique requirements. These visa-specific rules and the general policies which affect all types of visas are both subject to change unexpectedly over time. When these changes are sudden, or add new complications to your immigration journey, it’s absolutely vital to have a well-rounded understanding of the variables your success depends on.
That's why being assisted by a trustworthy professional is so important, as having a Plan A and Plan B, and even a Plan C will make your process smoother. This means becoming a ‘PRO’ of the visa process – read everything from official sources you can find, like Home Affairs, but also pay attention to news about relevant changes to the immigration process.
As you meet other people on their own immigration journeys, try to learn everything you can from their experiences and apply these lessons to your own situation. But remember, the migration journey is your own and you must consider all the variables along the way. Choose who you’re listening to wisely.
Where do I start?
Don’t worry! We have put together something really helpful for you! A great resource to learn about the different types of visas and general requirements for immigration in Australia is our free, easily accessible eBook. Consider this your first step.
This four-chapter manual has been custom designed by our migration experts for people who want to learn more about beginning their visa journey and what it takes to achieve Permanent Residency.