PIC 4020 Visa Refusal: Steps to Take After Your Visa is Rejected

Facing a visa refusal due to Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020 can be challenging for the visa applicant. PIC4020 is a criterion for visa applicants to provide accurate and truthful information in their applications. If your visa application has been refused under PIC4020, it is best to speak with an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law on how to address the situation or mitigate the decision.

Understanding PIC4020 for Visa Applications

PIC4020 refers to a requirement that visa applicants provide truthful, complete, and accurate information as part of their application. If any applicant is found to have provided false and misleading information or documents, their visa can be refused under this criterion. The consequences can include a minimum 3-year ban on applying for further visas to Australia. In some situations, where the visa applicant’s identity is suspicious, this ban can extend up to 10 years.

Why was My Visa Refused Under PIC 4020?

Visa refusals under PIC4020 generally arise from:

Providing false or misleading information on a visa application.
Submitting fraudulent or bogus documents.
Failing to disclose relevant information, including past visa refusals and cancellations.

What can I do after a PIC4020 Refusal?

Review the refusal notification carefully to understand what information or documentation led to the PIC 4020 refusal.
Evaluate the root cause of the refusal, whether it is from a misunderstanding, mistake or genuine oversight. Document your findings and gather evidence to respond to the reasons for refusal.
At the same time, speak with Jason Ling, Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, who specialises in these complex visa matters. They can provide expert advice on the best course of action in appealing the refusal and/or an alternative visa pathway to meet your objective.
In some situations, you may apply for a PIC4020 waiver, specifically if there are compassionate or compelling reasons that justify consideration. It is important to get suitable legal advice to build a strong case.
If eligible, you may seek a merits review for the visa refusal through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). This requires a well-prepared case as it can be highly technical, and there is a limited time to prepare, so it is suggested to have an immigration lawyer to represent your matter.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

A refusal due to PIC 4020 can significantly impact your immigration plans. Seek professional assistance from 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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