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Substantive Visa

Obtain work, travel, and study opportunities in Australia by securing a substantive visa. Seek professional advice from experienced migration experts at Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers for a stress-free substantive visa application!

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    What is a Substantive Visa in Australia?

    What is the meaning of substantive visa? Substantive visas are any type of visa granted by the Australian government to applicants who intend to visit and/or stay in the country indefinitely for a particular purpose. It could be for studying, work, or travel. It is not the same as a bridging visa.

    Bridging visas, on the other hand, are temporary visas granted to individuals whilst they wait for the processing of their substantive visa. All temporary visas and permanent visas, except bridging visas, criminal justice, and enforcement visas, are considered substantive visas.

    The following is a quick list of substantive visa Australia.

    • Student Visas
    • Visitor Visas
    • Skilled Visas
    • Protection Visas
    • Partner Visas

    If you are applying for any of these temporary and permanent visas, Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers are experienced migration consultants who can help you with anything related to visa applications or filing an appeal to reverse an unfavourable decision regarding your visa.

    Need Visa Assistance?

    Talk to one of our Visa Experts Now.

    Schedule 3 Criteria for Expiring and Expired Substantive Visas

    If you have an existing substantive visa and wish to stay lawfully in Australia before your visa’s validity expires, you are eligible to apply for another visa and be given a bridging visa while you wait for the processing of your new substantive visa.

    However, under Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 3 states that if you are not a substantive visa holder when you lodged your partner visa application, your visa will be refused.

    You must at least have held a valid substantive visa no less than 28 days after it elapsed. Otherwise, you will be required to leave the country and apply offshore.

    Schedule 3 Waiver

    The Schedule 3 requirements may be waived if there are compelling and/or compassionate reasons to ignore the rule.

    Not needless to say, it is fairly difficult to convince a case officer to waive the Schedule 3 requirement. And while there are no specific guidelines as to what exactly constitutes a valid and compelling reason, the following are scenarios that demonstrate the ‘moral necessity’ of waiving the Schedule 3 requirement (in relation to partner visas).

    • The non-Australian partner giving birth to an Australian child
    • Physical and emotional dependence of the sponsoring partner to the partner visa applicant as a result of a serious physical and/or mental health issue
    • Either the sponsor or the visa applicant cannot go to the latter’s home country due to fear of persecution, conflicts, and other dangerous situations
    • The sponsoring partner cannot go to the visa applicant’s home country due to difficulty gaining a visa, speaking their native language, and lack of employment opportunities.

    It’s important to say that, while these may be considered “compelling” grounds to waive the Schedule 3 criteria, the case to be presented must be really “exceptional” in magnitude. Other factors such as the length of relationship, as it is already a requirement in a partner visa application, cannot be used as a compelling ground to waive the Schedule 3 requirement.

    If you’ve been in Australia as an unlawful citizen for a number of years, and have seemingly done little efforts to prevent your current situation, chances are your request to have the Schedule 3 requirement waived will not be granted. For expert legal advice, speak to one of our senior consultants.

    Requesting a Schedule 3 Waiver in Writing

    Once you receive a Schedule 3 Request, you have about 28 days to respond to the request in writing. You must also make sure to submit supporting documentation and evidence that will show compelling grounds to have the Schedule 3 criteria waived.

    For example, if your sponsoring partner is suffering from a severe mental health issue, you must include documents confirming that the sponsor is indeed mentally ill, and that your visa refusal will make the sponsor’s situation worse.

    Statutory Declarations, which bear more legal weight than a simple written document, are also helpful in your case, as providing dishonest information in a statutory declaration is illegal and could result in imprisonment.

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    Success Stories of 500+ Highly Rated Reviews


    Our customers are always happy to share their thoughts with us.
    Here is what some of them have said!

    Haroon Parvez

    The team at parish Patience Immigration Lawyers were incredibly helpful throughout the application process. Their assistance made our lives so much less stressful and their expertise cleared up any confusion we had. They remained engaged with us the whole time and quickly responded to any questions with thoughtful, detailed answers. Special thanks to Usman Ali and Shan . We highly recommend the team at Parish patience immigration lawyer for anyone considering help regarding any kind of visa .

    W. A.

    Highly recommended lawyers! Extremely professional and reliable service, with outstanding outcomes. A special thanks to Mr Thong and Marlene, for helping us with our difficult case. Not only did they ensure that everything was ready to go, but their professionalism came in favor when we were granted our visa within just under 6 months!

    J P

    Thong and Marlene helped my partner gain permanent residency in Australia. We did the application ourselves but it turned out lots of information we needed to provide was missing. Thong and Marlene picked our case up and helped amend it. I really appreciate their help and guidance and look forward to contacting them again in the future. I am pleased by their efforts and professionalism.

    Alaa Omer

    Successfully handled my case. He had been prompt, caring and very professional in dealing with my case. I am glad to have received very strong support, guidance and service from them. I would highly recommend Parish patience immigration lawyers. I wish the best for their future prospects.

    Jabir Ibna Mohammad

    I’m really thankful for the guidance and assistance I’ve received regarding my Partner visa from Shan and his assistance Asha at Parish Patience. They handled my matter professionally and there were clear instructions from the beginning till end. I got my partner visa 820 granted in less than 7 months, thanks to their knowledge and expertise. I wish them all the best and highly recommend Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers for any sort of immigration matters.

    Parish Patience: Your Trusted Legal Partner for Substantive Visa Matters


    There is no simple or too complex a client case for us. Whether you need sound professional advice on your current situation or need legal representation for an appeal you plan to file as soon as possible, expect Parish Patience to give you the best migration agent or immigration lawyer to expertly handle your case and win together.

    Book your appointment today by calling or emailing us. You can also send a detailed enquiry regarding your case using our website. Get in touch today and speak to a lawyer!

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      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


      Need more information about substantive visas in Australia?
      Here’s what other people also ask about substantive visas.

      Is a tourist visa a substantive visa?

      Yes, a tourist visa is an example of a substantive visa.

      Is bridging visa a substantive visa?

      No, a bridging visa is a temporary visa that allows individuals to stay in Australia while they are waiting for the processing of their substantive visa.

      Is visitor visa a substantive visa?

      Yes indeed, a visitor visa is considered a substantive visa. 

      Is 482 a substantive visa?

      Yes, the Temporary Skill Shortage visa or subclass 482 is a type of substantive visa that allows Australians to nominate, sponsor, and source skilled workers overseas if there are currently no available skilled Australian workers to fill urgent job vacancies.  

      Is subclass 600 a substantive visa?

      Yes, a visitor visa under subclass 600 is a type of substantive visa in Australia.

      Is an ETA a substantive visa?

      The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or Subclass 601 is a temporary visa. And yes, it is an example of a substantive visa as all temporary visas, excluding bridging visas, criminal justice, or enforcement visas, are substantive visas.

      Is student visa a substantive visa?

      Yes, student visas are considered substantive visas.

      Is 417 a substantive visa?

      Yes, the Working Holiday visa or Subclass 417 is a temporary visa that lets young people who wish to spend a holiday or even work in Australia for up to 12 months.

      Is a working holiday visa a substantive visa?

      Yes, a Working Holiday visa is a type of substantive visa.

      Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers Sydney
      Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers Sydney
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      Sunny Ray
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      On 13 July, I had an appointment with Mr. Usman and Mr. Billah at their Dhaka branch. I was satisfied with the advice they provided regarding my situation, and I was told to contact Mr. Usman once he returned to Sydney from Dhaka, which was expected to be in early August. On 10 August, I followed up by email, asking Mr. Usman and Mr. Billah CC’d, whether they were still interested in taking on my case. However, from 10 August until now (about 2 months later), I have received no response from Parish Immigration. For anyone considering seeking legal advice from Parish, I would highly recommend confirming upfront whether they are interested in handling your case. Otherwise you’ll be wasting a significant amount of valuable time chasing them. The communication after my initial consultation was extremely confusing. During the consultation, they seemed eager to assist me with my case. However, later they did not respond to my follow up emails or even let me know whether or not they were interested in proceeding with my case
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      Ishtiak Bin Habib
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      I highly recommend Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers. They're professional, knowledgeable, patient and genuinely caring. They take the time to explain everything clearly and provide honest, practical advice throughout the process. What I appreciate most is their dedication, transparency and willingness to help. A trustworthy and approachable team that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone seeking immigration assistance.
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      Vincent Wang
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      Parish Patience made a long and stressful process feel manageable. Diana, Vicky, Connie and the team were professional, patient, and always clear about what came next, and they responded quickly whenever we had questions. We’re very grateful for their support and would happily recommend them.
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      Bismah Faez
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      I am extremely satisfied with the professional services provided by the team especially Usman Bhai in managing my visa application. Their exceptional professionalism, thorough attention to detail, and comprehensive understanding of the immigration process were evident throughout every stage of the application. They demonstrated outstanding commitment, maintained clear and timely communication, and provided valuable guidance with efficiency and diligence. I sincerely appreciate their expertise, dedication, and meticulous approach, which made the entire process considerably smoother and more reassuring. I would highly recommend their services to anyone seeking reliable, professional, and competent immigration assistance.
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      Sathiyakumar Chandrakumar
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      🌟 Heartfelt Thanks to Mr. Mahalingam Sutharshan (Shan) and His Team! 🇦🇺 I am delighted and truly grateful to have been granted Australian citizenship. My sincere thanks to Shan and his team for their professional guidance, dedicated support, and excellent service throughout this journey. I highly appreciate their assistance and would happily recommend their services to anyone seeking reliable and professional support. Thank you for helping make this milestone possible! 🙏❤️
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      Al Rafi
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      One of the most disappointing experiences I have had when seeking professional legal assistance. My experience with Mahalingam Sutharshan (Shan) was absolutely unacceptable. His arrogant attitude, dismissive manner, and apparent unwillingness to provide advice left me extremely frustrated. When someone approaches a lawyer/agent , they expect professionalism, respect, and proper guidance—not an arrogant attitude that makes them feel as though their concerns are beneath consideration. Unfortunately, I felt that I received none of the professionalism or courtesy I expected. What disappointed me most was his attitude towards someone who was simply seeking legal advice. Basic respect and professional communication should be the bare minimum for anyone working in the legal profession. In my experience, the interaction fell well below that standard. I left the interaction feeling that my time had been wasted and my concerns had not been given proper consideration. A professional title means very little if the person behind it cannot communicate respectfully with people seeking assistance. Based on my personal experience, I would not choose to deal with Mahalingam Sutharshan (Shan) again. This experience has left me with a very negative impression, and I sincerely hope the firm takes complaints about client treatment seriously. People seeking legal help deserve respect, courtesy, and clear communication—not an experience that leaves them feeling dismissed and disrespected.
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      M Numen
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      I am normally very hesitant to write Google reviews, but in this case, I genuinely feel that a review is well deserved. Mr Usman looked after my SC 186 visa application and successfully guided me through the process until my visa was granted. Before meeting Usman, I sought advice from one of the well-known immigration agents on social media. Unfortunately, rather than taking the time to understand my circumstances, they immediately advised me to pursue a student visa. Usman, however, took the time to properly understand my situation and confidently recommended that I proceed with the SC 186 visa application. He not only recommended the right pathway for my circumstances but also remained highly professional throughout the entire process. He consistently kept me updated and ensured that I understood the key information and requirements at every stage of the application. My nomination was approved without receiving any S56 request, which made the process even smoother and less stressful. Usman's advice has not only helped me avoid future stress and significant financial pressure, but it also ultimately allowed me to obtain permanent residency rather than continue paying tuition fees and living with the uncertainty associated with temporary visas. What impressed me most about Usman is his sincerity, honesty, professionalism, experience, and genuine passion for what he does. He truly cares about his clients and uses his knowledge and experience to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. I would like to sincerely thank Usman once again for his guidance, support, and professionalism throughout my journey. I am genuinely grateful for everything you have done for me. May God bless you and your family, Usman. You are truly a gem. 💎
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      Kawser Bhuiyan
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      Parish Patience took care my mother, sisters and all of my family’s visa situation since 2012. After David Bitel passed away he left his amazing lawyers who are not only knowledgeable but also efficient and professional. After many years got my PR sorted by Usman, he was onto it in every single documents and Thanks to Golam as well who always been kind. I’m sure all immigrant knows how difficult these days to get PR, but highly recommend their service who can assist you in all situation.
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      Shovro Sharif
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      I am very happy and grateful to have received my 186 visa. It was a long journey, and I sincerely appreciate the excellent support from Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers. A special thank you to Usman Ali, Senior Associate, and Motasim Billah, Case Manager, for their professionalism, guidance, and continuous support throughout the process. Highly recommended! Thank you again for helping me achieve this important milestone.
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      Lila Benyamna
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      6 years ago I found myself in a very difficult immigration situation where I was risking immigration detention, and Parish Patience were the only light of hope in a nightmare immigration loophole. I had consulted with other lawyers who just took thousands of dollars and were misleading and dishonest. When I met with Thong and his amazing team they welcomed me with the upmost care and provided me with clear explanations and guidance. All throughout the process they were available for any questions and support. They anticipated all possibilities, and completed the work in compliance with the immigration laws and I had zero issues with any of the submissions they’ve done on my behalf. I received a double grant two years ago and I am now awaiting for my citizenship ceremony. Parish Patience provides the reliable and professional service you need. Thank you Thong, Marlene, Zinnia for your incredible work.