3 Lessons You Can Learn From The Novak Djokovic Immigration Debacle

No matter how you feel about the Novak Djokovic case it’s certainly put Australian immigration policy on the front page of the international news.

Novak has won the Australian Open 9 times previously so at the very least this was his 10th time to come through Australian Immigration. This time however the rules had changed. Immigration laws and entry requirements in Australia change frequently, and even more so in the ‘Covid Era’.

We could debate all day who was actually at fault but to be honest, it’s better to just look at the case and take some lessons that apply to everyone who will brave the Australian Immigration process.

Lesson 1: Get advice from someone who actually understands immigration law.

It’s important to get the right advice from an Australian Registered Migration Agent or an Immigration Lawyer.

Don’t rely on advice from any old Tom, Dick, or Harry. Just because someone had success with their visa doesn’t mean that their advice is going to be right for you or even right at all.

Seeking advice from Facebook groups, online forums, friends, colleagues who’ve been through the process once or twice is risky. Make sure you get advice from a Registered Migration Agent or an Immigration Lawyer.

Lesson 2: A refusal can happen to anyone

There is no room for error. Our Prime Minister has made it really clear, it doesn’t matter who you are. If his delegates decide that you don’t meet the criteria, that visa isn’t going to be granted.

It doesn’t matter who you are, how much money you have, how famous you are, or even if you’re in a relationship with an Australian citizen. If you don’t meet the requirements, your visa is going to be refused.

Lesson 3: Getting it wrong is going to cost you

Getting it wrong can be costly, stressful, and embarrassing. If your visa is refused and you end up in the AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal), including quality representation and on costs, you could be looking at anything from $10,000 to $15000, maybe $20,000.

It might be okay if you’re Novak Djokovic, but for most couples going through the process, there’s no money left to spare after spending a good $8,000 on a partner visa application fee.

Getting it wrong can be super stressful. Djokovic should be focusing on his game right now, but instead, he’s probably lying awake at night, cursing our Prime Minister and waking up in the morning still worrying about his visa issues.

How do you want your visa journey to look?

Do you want to roll a dice and try and go it alone, like Djokovic and have to call in the lawyers later on when it all goes pear-shaped, or do you want to take professional advice from the outset and know that you’re in safe hands with the right visa pathway with all aspects considered?

IMPORTANT: Please note, this does not constitute Immigration advice. Always seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent before applying for an Australian Visa. Migration Law is constantly changing. This information is accurate only at the time of publication.