Kris Ahn Lawyers

Kris Ahn Lawyers Kris Ahn Lawyers, based in Sydney and Brisbane, specialises in Australian immigration law.

Led by accredited specialist Kris Ahn, their expertise stands out, as there are only 96 accredited specialists in Australia.

Recent 482 & 186 Approvals: Real Case Wins From Kris Ahn LawyersWe're sharing a recent batch of 482 and 186 approvals an...
11/08/2026

Recent 482 & 186 Approvals: Real Case Wins From Kris Ahn Lawyers

We're sharing a recent batch of 482 and 186 approvals and grants across a range of occupations β€” including several complex matters that our team prepared and argued through in detail to get our clients over the line.

πŸ† Recent Approvals & Grants
Please see the 2nd and 3rd images.

⏱️ Latest Employer-Sponsored Processing Times
βœ” 482 SID Core Skills: 50% in 69 days, 90% in 10 months
βœ” 482 SID Nomination: 50% in 5 days, 90% in 9 months
βœ” 186 DE: 50% in 10 months, 90% in 14 months
βœ” 186 TRT: 50% in 11 months, 90% in 15 months

πŸ“ˆThe employer-sponsored program continues to be a policy priority β€” the 2026–27 financial year allocation increased by 14,040 places, up around 31.9% on the previous year.

⚠️ Why Employer-Sponsored Visas Get Refused
βœ” Insufficient work experience or supporting evidence
βœ” The nominated position isn't seen as genuine
βœ” The sponsoring employer's financial position doesn't meet requirements

Many applicants who are genuinely eligible are refused simply because their evidence wasn't complete or persuasive enough β€” which is why thorough preparation from the start matters so much.

πŸ‘¨β€βš–οΈ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we make sure every client's circumstances are fully understood upfront, so we can put forward the strongest possible case β€” whether you're a sponsoring employer or a visa applicant.

πŸ“© Not sure if you or your business meets the requirements, or have you already received a refusal? Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers β€” we're here to help.

πŸ’‘Case Win: 26 Years in Australia, One Character Refusal β€” Overturned at the TribunalOur client had lived in Australia fo...
07/08/2026

πŸ’‘Case Win: 26 Years in Australia, One Character Refusal β€” Overturned at the Tribunal

Our client had lived in Australia for 26 years. A wife, six adult children, two grandchildren, a business employing nearly 30 people. In May 2026, his Partner visa was refused on character grounds under s501(1) β€” putting all of it at risk.

Against significant legal and factual challenges, our team successfully overturned a section 501-character refusal at the Administrative Review Tribunalβ€”keeping our client with his family after 26 years in Australia.

πŸ” What Was at Risk if the Refusal Stood
βœ” Permanent separation from his Australian citizen wife and family
βœ” His wife left without her primary support β€” she relies on specialist medical care only available in Australia
βœ” Collapse of the family construction business and its nearly 30 jobs

πŸ’‘ How We Built the Case
βœ” Primary considerations β€” demonstrated a low risk of reoffending and addressed the seriousness of past conduct in context
βœ” Family ties β€” 26 years of genuine connection, a wife's serious medical conditions, a son with a significant health condition dependent on the family unit
βœ” Best interests of minor children β€” evidence on the impact of removal on the youngest family members
βœ” Business interests β€” detailed evidence of a business supporting almost 30 employees

βš–οΈ The Result
On 4 August 2026, the Administrative Review Tribunal set aside the delegate's decision. Our client remains in Australia with his family β€” the Tribunal found his ties to Australia weighed strongly in his favour, and that the consequences of removal were substantial.

πŸ‘¨β€βš–οΈ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we take on hard character test and section 501 cases β€” and we prepare our clients honestly for what contested proceedings really involve.

πŸ“© Facing a character test issue or a section 501 visa refusal? Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers for strategic advice on your matter.

482 Nomination Refused Over Franchise Marketing β€” We Got It OverturnedA national fitness franchise operator had their Ma...
14/07/2026

482 Nomination Refused Over Franchise Marketing β€” We Got It Overturned

A national fitness franchise operator had their Marketing Specialist's 482 nomination refused β€” because the Department said a franchise agreement meant the role "wasn't genuine." We took it to the Tribunal and won.

πŸ” The Refusal
The Department refused the nomination under reg 2.72(10)(a), reasoning that because the franchisor handled brand-level marketing (funded by a marketing levy), there was no genuine need for a skilled Marketing Specialist at the franchisee level.

πŸ“Œ What We Built the Case On
βœ” A letter from the franchisor confirming local marketing is the franchisee's responsibility
βœ” Real campaign data β€” 6–7 ads running per club/month, ~$5,000 monthly ad spend, 1,000+ leads converting to 200+ memberships
βœ” Evidence the nominee had already been performing the role since July 2024
βœ” A failed attempt to fill the role locally β€” proof of genuine labour market testing
βœ” A positive VETASSESS skills assessment and a salary above TSMIT
βœ” A fourth club opening later in 2026, requiring pre-launch marketing

βš–οΈ The Result
The Tribunal agreed the position was genuine, and the nomination was approved β€” reversing the Department's refusal.

⚠️ Why This Matters for Franchise Employers
βœ” A franchise agreement or marketing levy doesn't automatically mean a role isn't genuine
βœ” Fresh evidence at ART review can succeed where the original decision failed
βœ” A failed local hire is strong evidence of genuine need
βœ” Business expansion plans can support the case for a role

πŸ‘¨β€βš–οΈ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we help employer-sponsors challenge 482 nomination refusals β€” including genuine position, labour market testing, and other grounds β€” at the Administrative Review Tribunal.

πŸ“© Received a 482 nomination refusal? Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers to discuss your review options.

πŸ“’ More Than 25% Increase in Visa Application Charges | What Applicants Need to KnowFrom 1 July 2026, Visa Application Ch...
13/07/2026

πŸ“’ More Than 25% Increase in Visa Application Charges | What Applicants Need to Know

From 1 July 2026, Visa Application Charges (VACs) jumped across almost every visa category β€” and for some, the increase is far bigger than you'd expect.

πŸ’° What's Changed?
Most visas rose by roughly 25%, well above standard CPI indexation. A few categories rose much further.

πŸ“Œ Key Increases:
❌ Partner visa (820/801,309/100,300) β€” up $2,345, from $9,365 to $11,710
❌ Skilled Independent (189, points-tested) β€” up ~46%, to $6,135
❌ Employer Nomination Scheme (186) β€” up ~25%
❌ Skilled Nominated (190), Regional (491) β€” up ~25%, +$1,230
❌ Student visa (500) β€” up from $2,000 to $2,500
❌ Resident Return & Bridging visa B β€” up over 200%

⚠️ Why This Matters
βœ” Additional applicant charges (partners & children) have also increased
βœ” Some visas carry a Subsequent Temporary Application Charge β€” easy to overlook
βœ” Streams within the same subclass can carry different charges
βœ” Last year's fee schedule is no longer accurate for budgeting

βœ… Practical Steps
βœ” Confirm the exact charge for your specific stream β€” they can differ
βœ” Budget for partners & children separately β€” their charges rose too
βœ” Check if a Subsequent Temporary Application Charge applies (482, 500, 407)
βœ” Don't rely on last year's fee schedule
βœ” Time-critical matters still need to meet their legal deadlines

πŸ“š Want the full breakdown?
We've published a detailed guide and FAQs on our website:
https://krisahn.com.au/more-than-25-increase-in-visa-application-charges/

πŸ‘¨β€βš–οΈ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we don’t give generic advice. We assess your specific visa pathway, calculate the full cost impact β€” including additional applicant charges and any Subsequent Temporary Application Charge β€” and help you plan an application strategy that accounts for the real budget, not last year’s figures.

πŸ“© Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers to receive clear, reliable advice tailored to your situation and also get an accurate cost breakdown for your situation.

πŸŽ‰EXCITING NEWS! Our Brisbane office is officially open!πŸ“We're thrilled to announce that our Brisbane branch office offic...
03/07/2026

πŸŽ‰EXCITING NEWS! Our Brisbane office is officially open!

πŸ“We're thrilled to announce that our Brisbane branch office officially commenced operations on 1 July 2026.
Our Brisbane-based lawyer, Daman Sharma, is now welcoming in-person consultations:
β€’ πŸ• 30-minute consultation
β€’ πŸ•œ 60-minute consultation

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ’Ό Meet Daman
Since joining our firm in 2023, Daman has demonstrated not only legal excellence but also genuine care for our clients' journeys. His deep legal skill, leadership, and dedication to client care speak for themselves.

Both Our Sydney and Brisbane office are offer in-person consultations!
🏒 Brisbane Office: Level 6, 320 Adelaide Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
πŸ“ Sydney Office: Suite 28.02, Level 28, 31 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000

πŸ“Œ Please note:
To ensure every client receives the highest level of service and dedicated attention, and to help avoid any unnecessary travel to our office, both our Sydney and Brisbane offices operate 😊 by appointment only😊. As our lawyers' schedules are often arranged in advance, we are unable to guarantee the availability of same-day consultations for appointments requested on the same day.

We kindly encourage all clients to 😊book consultations in advance😊, either through our online booking page or by contacting our front desk team, who will be happy to help arrange your appointment.

β€’ πŸ“… Book online: https://lnkd.in/gKBYgHim
β€’ πŸ“ž Call: (02) 7255 0101
β€’ πŸ’¬ WhatsApp: https://lnkd.in/gPTXn_yq
β€’ βœ‰οΈemail: [email protected]

When booking, please select Daman for an in-person consultation in Brisbane, or one of our other lawyers for an in-person consultation in Sydney.

⚠️ Hiring Overseas Workers? Visa Compliance Matters More Than Ever | What Every Australian HR Needs to KnowMany employer...
19/06/2026

⚠️ Hiring Overseas Workers? Visa Compliance Matters More Than Ever | What Every Australian HR Needs to Know

Many employers focus on finding the right talent β€” but overlook one critical issue: visa compliance. Whether you're employing workers on a 482, 186, 494, Working Holiday, Student, or Graduate visa, understanding your obligations as an employer is essential.

πŸ” Visa Compliance = HR Responsibility
Hiring someone without the correct work rights isn’t just an admin error β€” it can expose your organisation to:
β€’ Civil penalties
β€’ Sponsorship sanctions
β€’ Fair Work investigations
β€’ Reputational damage

πŸ“Œ Common HR Compliance Risks:
❌ Employing a visa holder in breach of their visa conditions
❌ Failing to conduct proper work rights checks
❌ Incorrectly recording visa expiry dates
❌ Not meeting sponsorship obligations
❌ Assuming all visa holders have unrestricted work rights

βœ… Best Practice for Employers
βœ” Conduct VEVO checks before employment commences
βœ” Monitor visa expiry dates and work conditions
βœ” Keep accurate records and audit trails
βœ” Track work limitations for student visa holders
βœ” Review role changes for sponsored employees
βœ” Implement ongoing compliance monitoring systems

πŸ“š Want to learn more?
We've published a detailed guide:
"Visa Compliance Guide for HR Professionals: What Every Australian HR Needs to Know Before Hiring Overseas Workers" https://krisahn.com.au/australian-visa-compliance-guide-for-hr/
Visit our website to read the full article and learn practical strategies for managing visa compliance, work rights verification, sponsorship obligations, and HR risk management.

πŸ“© Need advice on employer-sponsored visas or workplace immigration compliance?
Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers to discuss your business needs.










πŸ‘‘ King's Birthday Public Holiday NoticeπŸ“’ Please note that Kris Ahn Lawyers will be closed on Monday, 8 Jun 2026, in obse...
05/06/2026

πŸ‘‘ King's Birthday Public Holiday Notice

πŸ“’ Please note that Kris Ahn Lawyers will be closed on Monday, 8 Jun 2026, in observance of the King's Birthday public holiday in NSW.

πŸ—“οΈ Our office will reopen on Tuesday, 9 Jun 2026, and our team will be ready to continue assisting you with your immigration and visa matters.

πŸ™ We appreciate your continued support and understanding.

✨ Wishing all our clients, colleagues, and friends a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable long weekend with family and loved ones.

β€” Kris Ahn Lawyers Team














πŸ‘‡Australia’s 2026–27 Migration Program Planning Levels Released: Major PR Allocation Changes AheadLast Friday evening (1...
18/05/2026

πŸ‘‡Australia’s 2026–27 Migration Program Planning Levels Released: Major PR Allocation Changes Ahead

Last Friday evening (15 May 2026), the Department of Home Affairs officially released the visa allocation numbers for the upcoming 2026–27 financial year.

Some major changes are coming:
πŸ”Ή Employer-Sponsored visas (Subclass 186) increased significantly
πŸ”Ή Regional visa allocations (491/Regional stream) heavily reduced
πŸ”Ή Parent visa allocations reduced

Let’s take a closer look at the key updates πŸ‘‡
πŸ“Œ Total Migration Program - remains unchanged at 185,000 places
β€’ Skilled stream: 132,240 places (+40)
β€’ Family stream: 52,460 places (-40)

πŸ“Œ Skill Program - Compared to the current 25–26 financial year:
πŸ”Ή Regional allocations reduced by 18,890 places
πŸ”Ή Employer-Sponsored visas increased by 14,040 places
πŸ”Ή Skilled Independent (189) increased by 4,190 places
πŸ”Ή State Nominated (190) increased by 2,500 places
This shows the Government’s stronger focus on employer-sponsored migration pathways. This may also indicate a focus on 189 and 190 visas, with potentially higher invitation allocations in the new financial year.

πŸ“ŒFamily Program Changes
πŸ”Ή Parent visa reduced by 1,440 places
πŸ”Ή Partner and Child visa allocations increased

πŸ“Œ Another Major Change: Priority for Onshore Applicants
Under the recent Federal Budget announcements, both Skill and Family stream applications will prioritise applicants already inside Australia (129,590 Onshore vs 55,110 Offshore).

πŸ“Œ The Government also confirmed that:
β€’ Over 70% of permanent migration places will continue to be allocated to the Skill stream
β€’ Migration reforms will focus on attracting younger, more highly skilled, and better educated migrants
β€’ Further reforms to the points test, Working Holiday visas, and Graduate visas are expected

If you are currently preparing for Australian migration or planning your visa pathway, now is the time to seek professional advice and plan ahead strategically.

πŸ“© Feel free to book a consultation with Kris Ahn Lawyers β€” where experience, strategy, and results matter.




πŸ“’ Federal Budget 2026–27: Migration Update | Major Migration Changes You Need to Know!Australia’s Federal Budget 2026–27...
13/05/2026

πŸ“’ Federal Budget 2026–27: Migration Update | Major Migration Changes You Need to Know!

Australia’s Federal Budget 2026–27 was announced last night (12 May 2026), bringing important developments for migrants, skilled workers, employers, and international applicants.

Let’s look at what’s changing and what it means for your visa strategy!

Here is the breakdown of the key migration announcements:

πŸ”Ή Permanent Migration Program Maintained
βœ” 185,000 permanent migration places confirmed for 2026–27

πŸ”Ή Strong Focus on Skilled Stream
βœ” 132,240 places allocated to the Skill stream
βœ” Over 70% of the intake focused on addressing workforce shortages

πŸ”Ή Onshore Applicants Prioritised
βœ” 129,590 places allocated for onshore applicants
βœ” Offshore applicants expected to face stronger competition

πŸ”Ή Proposed Changes to the Points Test
πŸ“Œ Greater emphasis on:
β€’ Younger applicants
β€’ Higher education
β€’ Stronger skills & workforce contribution

πŸ”Ή Faster Trade Recognition
βœ” $85.2 million investment into faster skills assessments through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

πŸ”Ή Compliance & Worker Protection Measures
βœ” Increased funding targeting misuse of visa systems
βœ” Stronger protections for vulnerable migrant workers

πŸ”Ή Working Holiday & Graduate Visa Changes
β€’ Proposed expansion of Working Holiday visa ballots
β€’ Increased visa application charges for Temporary Graduate visas

πŸ’‘ What This Means for You
πŸ‘‰ Onshore applicants may currently have stronger opportunities
πŸ‘‰ Skilled applicants with competitive profiles may benefit most
πŸ‘‰ Strategic planning is becoming more important than ever
Australia’s migration system continues shifting toward younger, highly skilled, onshore talent.

πŸ‘¨β€βš–οΈ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we closely monitor immigration policy changes to help clients plan smarter migration pathways with confidence.
πŸ“© Need advice on your visa strategy?
Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers to discuss your options.









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