7 Common Visa Application Mistakes That Lead to Delays or Refusals

A visa application is one of the highest-stakes forms most people ever fill in. If you get a date wrong, miss a document or apply for the wrong visa, you could be looking at months of delay, a formal request for more information or a refusal.

Most delays and refusals come from a small list of common mistakes. At Matilda, our team of migration agents and lawyers review every file , so these are the errors we're trained to catch before an application reaches Home Affairs.

This guide discusses  the seven mistakes we see most often, what each one costs you and how to fix them. Check your own application against the list before you lodge.

Mistake 1: Submitting An Incomplete Or Inconsistent Application

An incomplete or inconsistent application is one of the most obvious issues that causes delays, because Home Affairs can't properly assess claims that don't add up.

A mismatched date, an address that's different across two forms or a question left blank all raise flags that need to be resolved before your application can move forward, even when the inconsistency is just caused by a typo. It usually means Home Affairs will have to formally request more information from you, potentially  adding months to your wait.‍

How to avoid it: Before you lodge, check every date, name and address against every other document in your application, not just within one form. Ask someone else to review it, as it can be hard to catch your own mistakes.

Mistake 2: Not Providing Enough Evidence Of A Genuine Relationship

For partner visa applicants, the most common cause of delay or refusal is not clearly demonstrating that your relationship is genuine and continuing.

Home Affairs assesses your relationship across four areas: finances, household, social life and your commitment to each other. A marriage certificate alone isn't enough, even for couples who have been together for years.

One piece of evidence that takes extra work is a supporting statement from someone who knows you as a couple, submitted on the Department's Form 888.

That person must be at least 18 and know both of you and your relationship history (but they don’t need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident).

Home Affairs will ask for a minimum of two separate Form 888 statements as part of your application, and giving false information on the form is a serious offence.‍

How to avoid it: Cover all four areas of evidence, not just one. Choose two to four witnesses who can write specific, detailed accounts. See our partner visa evidence guide for exactly what strong Form 888 statements and photo evidence look like, and our guide to writing a relationship statement for help with that specific document.

Mistake 3: Not Being Honest About Issues with the Health or Character Requirements

Most visa applicants must meet minimum health and character standards, and mistakes usually involve failing to disclose any issues.

The health requirement means being free from a condition that would cost the health system significantly, or limit Australians' access to services already in short supply.

It can apply to family members too in some circumstances, even if they aren't migrating with you.

In terms of the character requirement, you have to declare all criminal charges and convictions in any country, and you may be asked for a police certificate.

Being upfront lets your migration agent or lawyer address an issue before it becomes a problem. Hiding something that surfaces later is treated more seriously than the issue itself, and can be grounds for refusal.‍

How to avoid it: Disclose everything, even things that feel irrelevant or embarrassing. Book health examinations and request police certificates as early as possible, since some overseas certificates take weeks to arrive. If you have something to disclose, get advice before you lodge, not after a case officer raises it.

Mistake 4: Applying For The Wrong Visa Or Nominating The Wrong Occupation

Applying for the wrong visa or an employer nominating the wrong occupation wastes months and can close off options you didn't realise you were giving up.

If you’re an applicant who’s already in Australia, one trap that could catch you out is if your current visa has a “No Further Stay” condition, which means you generally can't apply for another visa while you're in the country.

Falling in love and wanting to apply for a partner visa isn't enough of a reason in itself for Home Affairs to lift that condition. And if a previous visa application was refused or a visa was cancelled, holding no substantive visa in Australia means you're limited to a short list of visas you can apply for onshore.

For employers, nominating the wrong occupation is just as problematic. Sponsored visas use a current occupation classification system, and the role you nominate has to genuinely match that occupation's duties.

Most nominations also need labour market testing, proof the role was advertised for at least four weeks within the four months before you lodge, with at least two ads on recognised platforms. If you get either of these wrong, the nomination can be refused.

How to avoid it: Get your eligibility checked (or your candidate's occupation code and advertising evidence reviewed if you’re an employer), by a migration agent before you lodge, not after Home Affairs raises it.

Mistake 5: Missing Deadlines Or Letting Documents Expire

Supporting documents like police certificates and health exams have a shelf life. Letting one lapse mid-application means you’ll have to redo that step from scratch.

These documents are typically only valid for around 12 months. If your application takes longer than expected, which is common, a certificate can expire before a decision is even made.‍

How to avoid it: Track the expiry date of every time-limited document and build in a buffer, rather than getting them done at the earliest possible moment.

Mistake 6: Failing To Notify Home Affairs Of Changes

If your circumstances change while your application is being processed, you're expected to tell Home Affairs. Don't wait to be asked.

A new address, a change in relationship status, a new passport or updated contact details all need to be reported. If you’re an employer-sponsored applicant,you also have to notify Home Affairs of changes to work arrangements.

Not updating this information can look like you're withholding something, even when that’s not the intention.‍

How to avoid it: Update Home Affairs, or ask your migration agent or lawyer to, as soon as something changes. Don't wait for your next login or a request for information.

Mistake 7: Underestimating How Long Your Application Will Take

Visa processing takes longer than most applicants expect, and planning around an optimistic timeline is a mistake in itself.

Waiting periods differ by visa type, and can vary significantly between offshore application centres too. Because of this variation, treat any single figure you read as a guide, not a guarantee.

See our guide to partner visa processing times and our guide to employer-sponsored visa timelines for current ranges by visa type.

‍How to avoid it: Build your plans, work start dates, travel and housing around a realistic range rather than a best case scenario, and check current processing times before making commitments that depend on a decision date.

How Matilda Catches These Mistakes Before You Lodge

Most of these seven mistakes are only discovered after the fact, when a case officer sends back a request for information or a refusal letter arrives. By then, you've lost months.

At Matilda, our team of registered migration agents and lawyers review every file, before your application is lodged. Several of the most common mistakes sit right on the line between migration process and legal risk (such as a character disclosure, a No Further Stay condition or an occupation code that doesn't hold up).

If you'd rather understand your options first, see Matilda's comparison of DIY applications versus using a migration agent. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most common reason visa applications are refused?

Insufficient evidence is the biggest cause of refusal. This is especially true for partner visas, where applicants underestimate how much documentation they need to provide to prove a genuine, continuing relationship across all four areas (finances, household, social life and commitment) that Home Affairs assesses.

Can I fix a mistake after I've already submitted my application?

Sometimes. You can usually keep uploading documents after lodgement, which helps if your evidence was light. But you generally can't change your answers to application questions without contacting Home Affairs directly, and some problems, like inconsistencies between your statement and your evidence, are harder to fix after the fact.

Do I need a migration agent or lawyer to avoid these mistakes?

Some straightforward applications can be done without assistance but even if your case is simple, having a registered migration agent or lawyer is worthwhile for your peace of mind.

At Matilda, both migration agents and immigration lawyers work together on behalf of clients.

What happens if Home Affairs finds an inconsistency in my application?

Usually, they'll issue a formal request for more information, which pauses your application until you respond. Left unresolved, an inconsistency can lead to a refusal, so it's worth addressing proactively rather than waiting to be asked.

How do I know if my current visa has a No Further Stay condition?

Check your visa grant letter, or look up your visa conditions online through the Department of Home Affairs' VEVO system. If the condition applies and you believe your circumstances have genuinely changed, you can ask Home Affairs to waive it, though a new relationship isn't accepted as a reason on its own.

Ready To Get It Right The First Time?

Most mistakes are avoidable with the right eyes on your application before you lodge. That's the whole point of catching them early rather than in a refusal letter.

‍For applicants: Take Matilda's eligibility quiz to book a no-cost, obligation-free consultation with a migration agent and lawyer who'll check your application against the list of common mistakes.‍

For employers: If you're sponsoring overseas talent and want your occupation code and labour market testing checked properly, talk to Matilda about employer-sponsored visas.

This is general information, not personal migration advice.