What next after receiving the s56 Request? Get information from Udhav Bahadur Khadka

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Recently, those students who have applied for an Australian Visa were asked for additional documents and were further verified. This process is called IMMI s56 Request for More Information or simply s56 Request. This has created some panic among applicants. To highlight the issue, we have talked with Mr. Udhav Bahadur Khadka, Vice-President of the Nepalese Association of Australia Education Representatives (NAAER) and Chairman of Hub International Education Pvt. Ltd. Here are excerpts:

1. What is the s56 Request?

Section 56 Request is often a simple and straightforward request from your case officer that requires the applicant to provide further information or supporting documents to assist the case officer in processing the Australian visa or citizenship application.

2. Why do the applicants are required to s56 Request?

Earlier, normal students were taking visa applications by uploading bank balances, income, general documents, and property-related documents. Now, at times, an s56 Request may require the applicant to provide documents that may not be available or documents which, if he/she provides them, may cause serious complications in his/her application or raise serious concerns.

3. If an applicant receives an s56 Request, what are the further procedures?

Before responding to an s56 Request, the applicant must collect all the information and evidence that may strengthen his/her application and response. Always one should provide correct, accurate, and up-to-date information and only genuine documents. Before submitting the information and documents, name them properly. Also, anticipate how the High Commission will look at that information/documents and how will he/she interpret them. Remember, to provide what is required. One should avoid providing irrelevant information/documents.

4. What consequences could be if the applicant fails to provide the required documents under the s56 Request?

If the requested documents cannot be submitted, especially those documents that are noted as incomplete information, miss information, or fraudulent information, by the in-case reader information, then the student visa will be suspended for at least 3 years and at most 10 years.

5. Asking for additional documents, is High Commission trying to trouble applicants unnecessarily?

Definitely not! In fact, it is an opportunity for the applicant to obtain a visa. If there has been any condition for the visa rejection, this could be an opportunity to get the visa if the required documents are submitted upon an s56 Request. If you submit documents, especially bank information, at least one year’s bank statement, and at least 3 years of tax paid documents, as well as current cash balance, documents of the land sale (if the land has been sold recently) and evidence of property, rent, there is a chance of getting the visa despite receiving a request under s56 Request.

6. Is there any time limit to submit the required documents after receiving the s56 Request?

The s56 Request generally advises an applicant to provide the required information within the given time (often that given time is 28 days, but it may vary). Therefore, the applicant must keep an eye on that date because if he/she fails to respond to that request within the given time then the High Commission may make a decision on the application without any further wait. That means, if the case officer does not find the required information that may support the application then that case officer may not be satisfied with the Australian visa application and may refuse it.

7. What will be your advice for student applicants who have received the s56 Request?

Remember, an s56 official request is usually a positive indicator that the High Commission has considered your visa application in its sights. In such a situation, first of all, one should not panic. It is always a good idea to think ahead and plan. Seeking assistance from migration professionals in such situations is always a reasonable step to take. You should assess your own ability, experience, and knowledge of Australian Immigration Laws and policies. You should weigh the benefits of responding to such s56 requests on your own against the advantages of seeking professional advice and assistance. Of course, these professionals cannot guarantee a positive outcome, but there is no comparison between the experience of an individual, who is dealing with such an s56 Request for the first time, with the experience of a professional who deals with such scenarios on a more regular basis.

8. To end, do you have any messages for students and parents?

Studying in Australia has always been a crazy market for international students.  The government of Australia has always been welcoming international students to frame their careers. However, as per the time demands, the scenario has been changing and the policy of the Australian government has been modified accordingly. Thus, even with the strict implementation of the s56 Request provision, I request students, parents, and agents to take it positively as genuine processing will avoid any consequences that could halt a student’s career.