Visa Appeal Tribunal (MRT)

Migration Review Tribunal (MRT)

The Migration Review Tribunal (MRT) conducts merit reviews of visa and visa-related decisions made by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Merits review is an administrative reconsideration of a case. The MRT makes decisions within the same legislative framework as the primary decision maker, and may exercise all the powers and discretions conferred on the primary decision maker.

What is the MRT?

The MRT is an independent body established under Australian federal migration law, separate from the Department of Home Affairs. It has the power to review and determine whether visa refusals made by the Department were correct. If the MRT finds the Department's decision was wrong, it can set aside that decision — however, it cannot itself issue a new visa. It returns the matter to the Department for reconsideration in favour of the applicant.

Not all visa refusals have the right of appeal. Many offshore visitor and tourist visa refusals do not carry appeal rights. If your refusal letter confirms you have appeal rights, you must file a valid appeal application with the MRT within the time specified in that letter, along with an application fee of AUD $1,640. If you win your appeal, the government must refund half this fee. If unsuccessful, the fee is not refunded.

Partner Visa Appeals

Partner visas are among the most commonly refused visa categories. Typical reasons for refusal include insufficient evidence of the genuine relationship, limited social recognition of the marriage or partnership, or inadequate documentation. In most cases, Australian partner visa refusals can be appealed through the MRT. If your partner visa has been refused, please contact us within 91 days. Our registered migration agents will first verify the authenticity of your relationship and then promptly assist you in lodging an MRT appeal application.

Student Visa Appeals

If a student visa is cancelled or refused, the student has 28 days from receiving the refusal letter to file an appeal. Providing reasonable grounds and a credible study plan can help win back the visa.

457 Employer Sponsored Visa Appeals

If a 457 visa application is refused on grounds that the position is not genuine, additional supporting material can be submitted to challenge the decision through the MRT review process.