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Kris Ahn Lawyers, Suite 28. 02, Level 28, 31 Market Street, Sydney (2026)

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 — including several complex matters that our team prepared and argued through in detail to get our clients over the line.

🏆 Recent Approvals & Grants
Please see the 2nd and 3rd images.

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

📈The employer-sponsored program continues to be a policy priority — 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
✔ Insufficient work experience or supporting evidence
✔ The nominated position isn't seen as genuine
✔ 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 — which is why thorough preparation from the start matters so much.

👨‍⚖️ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we make sure every client's circumstances are fully understood upfront, so we can put forward the strongest possible case — whether you're a sponsoring employer or a visa applicant.

📩 Not sure if you or your business meets the requirements, or have you already received a refusal? Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers — we're here to help.

07/08/2026

💡Case Win: 26 Years in Australia, One Character Refusal — 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) — 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 Tribunal—keeping our client with his family after 26 years in Australia.

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

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

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

👨‍⚖️ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we take on hard character test and section 501 cases — and we prepare our clients honestly for what contested proceedings really involve.

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

14/07/2026

482 Nomination Refused Over Franchise Marketing — We Got It Overturned

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

🔍 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.

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

⚖️ The Result
The Tribunal agreed the position was genuine, and the nomination was approved — reversing the Department's refusal.

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

👨‍⚖️ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we help employer-sponsors challenge 482 nomination refusals — including genuine position, labour market testing, and other grounds — at the Administrative Review Tribunal.

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

13/07/2026

📢 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 — and for some, the increase is far bigger than you'd expect.

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

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

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

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

📚 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/

👨‍⚖️ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we don’t give generic advice. We assess your specific visa pathway, calculate the full cost impact — including additional applicant charges and any Subsequent Temporary Application Charge — and help you plan an application strategy that accounts for the real budget, not last year’s figures.

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

03/07/2026

🎉EXCITING NEWS! Our Brisbane office is officially open!

📍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:
• 🕐 30-minute consultation
• 🕜 60-minute consultation

👨‍💼 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
📍 Sydney Office: Suite 28.02, Level 28, 31 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000

📌 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.

• 📅 Book online: https://lnkd.in/gKBYgHim
• 📞 Call: (02) 7255 0101
• 💬 WhatsApp: https://lnkd.in/gPTXn_yq
• ✉️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.

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 — 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.

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

📌 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

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

📚 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.

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

05/06/2026

👑 King's Birthday Public Holiday Notice

📢 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.

🗓️ 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.

🙏 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.

— Kris Ahn Lawyers Team

18/05/2026

👇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:
🔹 Employer-Sponsored visas (Subclass 186) increased significantly
🔹 Regional visa allocations (491/Regional stream) heavily reduced
🔹 Parent visa allocations reduced

Let’s take a closer look at the key updates 👇
📌 Total Migration Program - remains unchanged at 185,000 places
• Skilled stream: 132,240 places (+40)
• Family stream: 52,460 places (-40)

📌 Skill Program - Compared to the current 25–26 financial year:
🔹 Regional allocations reduced by 18,890 places
🔹 Employer-Sponsored visas increased by 14,040 places
🔹 Skilled Independent (189) increased by 4,190 places
🔹 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.

📌Family Program Changes
🔹 Parent visa reduced by 1,440 places
🔹 Partner and Child visa allocations increased

📌 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).

📌 The Government also confirmed that:
• Over 70% of permanent migration places will continue to be allocated to the Skill stream
• Migration reforms will focus on attracting younger, more highly skilled, and better educated migrants
• 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.

📩 Feel free to book a consultation with Kris Ahn Lawyers — where experience, strategy, and results matter.

13/05/2026

📢 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:

🔹 Permanent Migration Program Maintained
✔ 185,000 permanent migration places confirmed for 2026–27

🔹 Strong Focus on Skilled Stream
✔ 132,240 places allocated to the Skill stream
✔ Over 70% of the intake focused on addressing workforce shortages

🔹 Onshore Applicants Prioritised
✔ 129,590 places allocated for onshore applicants
✔ Offshore applicants expected to face stronger competition

🔹 Proposed Changes to the Points Test
📌 Greater emphasis on:
• Younger applicants
• Higher education
• Stronger skills & workforce contribution

🔹 Faster Trade Recognition
✔ $85.2 million investment into faster skills assessments through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

🔹 Compliance & Worker Protection Measures
✔ Increased funding targeting misuse of visa systems
✔ Stronger protections for vulnerable migrant workers

🔹 Working Holiday & Graduate Visa Changes
• Proposed expansion of Working Holiday visa ballots
• Increased visa application charges for Temporary Graduate visas

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

👨‍⚖️ At Kris Ahn Lawyers, we closely monitor immigration policy changes to help clients plan smarter migration pathways with confidence.
📩 Need advice on your visa strategy?
Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers to discuss your options.

Kris Ahn Lawyers

11/08/2026

07/08/2026

14/07/2026

13/07/2026

03/07/2026

19/06/2026

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13/05/2026

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