How Do I Respond to a Public Interest Criterion 4020 (Fraud or Bogus Documents) Issue?
Is your Australian visa application facing the Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020 issue? This may indicate a serious matter that can impact your immigration future. PIC 4020 is a provision used by authorities to ensure the integrity of visa applications, focusing on fraudulent documentation and identity concerns.
What is PIC 4020?
PIC 4020 focuses on individuals who provided false or misleading information on their visa application or supporting documents, which also includes:
Bogus documents, such as counterfeit, altered or fraudulent documents.
A visa applicant has a false identity or discrepancies in information regarding their circumstances.
Past refusals or cancellations due to false or misleading information.
Non-compliance with PIC 4020 can lead to a visa refusal, and a potential ban of 3 to 10 years on applying for certain visas.
How Do I Respond to a PIC 4020 Issue?
Carefully read the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) notice regarding the PIC 4020 issue to understand the reason and the circumstances in question.
Be aware of the deadline. Typically, upon receiving a visa refusal, the applicant only has a specific period to respond to DoHA or appeal the decision.
Consider seeking professional advice and assistance from an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law. They specialise in complex matters and are qualified to give tailored advice to your specific circumstances and identify any compelling reasons for a possible waiver.
At the same time, collect all relevant documentation to support the authenticity of your visa application. This can include validated copies of documents or official records verifying your documents and identity.
We encourage you to engage with an Immigration Lawyer to assist in responding to DoHA. The matter itself can be very technical and complex, and due to the complexities of Immigration Law, it is best to let the experts handle it for you.
Related:
Visa Refusal Consequences: Understand the Reason & Next Steps
How Long Do You Have to Appeal a Visa Refusal or Cancellation to the ART?
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
Contact Agape Henry Crux and speak with our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law for personalised advice on your next best step. The team of immigration lawyers specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.
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