Experienced & Trusted Immigration Lawyers in Parramatta
CIA Lawyers is a Sydney law firm providing clear, practical advice across immigration and other key legal areas. Our immigration lawyers assist with visa applications, AAT merits review and judicial review, and we support clients from preparation through to lodgement and, when needed, appeals. We work carefully through the details of each matter, including complex cases involving refusals, character issues and non-disclosure concerns.
Our Principal Lawyer, Ishraque Ahmad, is a Solicitor and Barrister with extensive court experience in Australia and New Zealand. He has handled a wide range of immigration, refugee, criminal and family law matters, including complex trials, and is known for a steady, results-focused approach. At CIA Lawyers, we take the time to understand your situation, explain your options in plain language, and represent your interests with care and professionalism.
What People Say After Working With Our Immigration Lawyers
Immigration Services We Provide in Parramatta
Partner and Family Visas
Reuniting with family is one of the most common reasons people need an immigration lawyer in Parramatta. We handle partner visas (Subclass 820 and 801), prospective marriage visas (Subclass 300), parent visas, child visas, and other family stream visas.
Family visa applications require strong evidence of your genuine relationship or family connection. Any gaps or inconsistencies in documentation can trigger a refusal. We make sure your application tells a clear, complete story.
Skilled and Work Visas
Western Sydney is a growing economic hub with strong demand for skilled workers. We assist both individuals and employers with:
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494).
We advise employers on their sponsorship obligations and help employees navigate the nomination and visa application process from start to finish.
Student and Graduate Visas
Students in Parramatta and Western Sydney face increasingly strict visa requirements. We handle Student Visa (Subclass 500) applications and Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) applications for those completing their studies. We also help with extensions and respond to requests from the Department of Home Affairs.
Visitor and Tourist Visas
A Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) refusal can catch families completely off guard. We handle complex visitor visa applications, including cases with previous refusals or travel history concerns, and present the strongest possible case to the Department.
Visa Refusals and ART Appeals
A refusal is not the end. If your visa has been refused, you may have the right to appeal at the Administrative Review Tribunal. Strict deadlines apply and they vary by visa type. Missing the deadline means losing your right to appeal entirely.
CIA Lawyers reviews the refusal decision, identifies the legal and factual grounds for challenge, and represents you at the ART. If the ART affirms the refusal, we advise on whether a Federal Court appeal is viable. As qualified lawyers, we can take your case the full distance.
Visa Cancellations
If you receive a Notice of Intention to Consider Cancellation or your visa has been cancelled, you must act immediately. Time limits for responding or lodging an appeal can be as short as 9 days.
Do not wait. Contact CIA Lawyers as soon as you receive any notice from the Department of Home Affairs about your visa.
Australian Citizenship Applications
We guide permanent residents through the citizenship application process, from confirming eligibility and calculating your residency dates to preparing a complete, accurate application. We also handle citizenship refusals and ART appeals where a decision needs to be challenged.
Ministerial Intervention
When all other avenues have been exhausted, a Ministerial Intervention request may be the only remaining option. This is a discretionary process with no right of appeal, which means the quality of your written submissions is everything. We prepare these requests with care and precision.
Contact us for a personalized eligibility check
Meet Our Team
Practice Director
Ishraque Ahmad
Paralegal
Simran Ghimire
Knowledge Manager
Yuri Kazak
Legal Associate
Claudia
Legal Associate
Sumaia Islam
Lawyer
Jonathan Greete
Sales & Marketing Associate
Thunh Mai Le
Sales & Marketing Manager
Eduardo Mora
Operational Manager
Safat Ul Azam
Why Parramatta Residents Choose CIA Lawyers
We can take your case to court if needed. That is something a migration agent cannot do.
We tell you what your situation really is and what you can realistically expect. We do not take cases we do not believe we can help with.
Refusals, cancellations, character issues, health waivers, and ART appeals are not unusual for our team. We have handled them all.
We manage every stage of your matter so you always know what is happening and what comes next.
Every cost is discussed before work begins. No hidden charges.
Speak to a qualified immigration lawyer at no cost before committing to anything.
We assist clients across the region in person, by phone, and by video.
How CIA Lawyers Handle Your Case
Step 1: Free Consultation and Case Review
Every immigration matter is different. We start by reviewing your current visa status, your history with the Department of Home Affairs, and what outcome you are trying to achieve. We give you an honest assessment of your options, realistic timelines, and what the process involves. No assumptions, no generic advice.
Step 2: Strategy and Planning
We identify the right visa pathway or legal approach for your specific situation. If you are dealing with a refusal, we review the decision record carefully and identify the strongest grounds for challenge. If you are making a new application, we map out exactly what evidence you need and how to present it.
Step 3: Application or Appeal Preparation
We prepare everything. This includes forms, supporting documents, statutory declarations, legal submissions, and responses to any requests from the Department. Every document is checked before anything is submitted.
Step 4: Lodgement and Case Management
Once lodged, we monitor your case, respond to any Department requests promptly, and keep you informed at every stage. You will always know where your matter stands.
Step 5: Post-Grant or Post-Decision Advice
After a visa is granted, we advise on conditions, travel rights, and your pathway to permanent residency or citizenship. If a decision goes against you, we immediately advise on the next available step.
What Sets us Apart
FAQ
Both can help with visa applications. The key difference is what happens when things go wrong. Only qualified lawyers can represent you in Federal Court proceedings and provide full legal advice on matters involving criminal law, character issues, or complex litigation. If your case is straightforward, a migration agent may be sufficient. If there is any complexity, refusal risk, or existing legal history, a qualified immigration lawyer gives you far greater protection.
It depends on the visa type. Some appeal deadlines are as short as 21 days from the date of notification. Others may be shorter. If you have received a refusal letter, contact CIA Lawyers immediately. Missing the deadline almost always means losing your right to have the decision reviewed. We assess your case promptly and advise on whether an ART appeal is the right path.
Yes. We assist clients across Parramatta, Western Sydney, and all of New South Wales by phone, video, and in person at our Sydney office. Most immigration matters can be handled remotely without any impact on the quality of your case.
This is a time-sensitive situation. Depending on your visa type and conditions, you may have a limited period to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or make other arrangements. Staying in Australia without a valid visa makes you unlawful. Contact CIA Lawyers as soon as your employment ends so we can advise on the right steps before your status is affected.
Yes. To be eligible, you generally need to have lived in Australia on a valid visa for four years, with the last 12 months as a permanent resident. You also need to meet character and residency requirements. CIA Lawyers reviews your eligibility, calculates your residency period accurately, and prepares a complete citizenship application on your behalf. If a previous application was refused, we can also advise on your options for appeal or reapplication.
Strong Local Presence in Sydney
Based in Sydney, CIA Lawyers provides immigration legal services across Sydney CBD, Parramatta and Western Sydney. Our team regularly works within Australia’s legal and migration framework, with experience appearing before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), the Federal Court and other relevant jurisdictions. Being locally based means we understand how migration matters are handled within New South Wales and at the federal level. We are familiar with court procedures, tribunal expectations and Department of Home Affairs processes, allowing us to prepare cases thoroughly and represent clients with confidence.