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Public Interest Criterion 4020

Is the breach of PIC 4020 on your visa application a result of an innocent mistake? And do you want to appeal the Tribunal’s decision? Let a professional migration lawyer see and handle your case. Schedule a meeting and speak to one of our senior consultants.

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    What is Public Interest Criterion 4020?

    A Public Interest Criterion 4020, or simply PIC 4020, is a legal requirement for most visas in Australia. This includes business visas, student visas, skilled visas, and employer-sponsored visas, among others. In order for a visa application to be granted and approved, the applicant must satisfy the criteria under PIC 4020.

    PIC 4020 simply states that any bogus, misleading, and dishonest information or documents submitted to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) or Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) will result in visa refusal and, by extension, a minimum three-year ban in any Australian visa application.

    What Counts as ‘Bogus’ Documents Under PIC 4020?

    The PIC 4020 was designed to uphold the integrity of Australia’s migration system. It aims to prevent applicants from gaining favourable visa application outcomes out of submitting fake documents. If proven that the accused applicant did submit dishonest information in their visa application, it will not only result in refusal but also a ban in applying for any Australian visas in the future.

    A three-year ban may be imposed if the applicant submits bogus documents and misleading information, such as:

    • Fake passport, birth and/or marriage certificates, diploma, etc.
    • A passing English proficiency test result achieved by another who’s not the applicant
    • Altered information about one’s employment history, like changing the job title and lying about years of relevant work experience

    Meanwhile, the ban on visa application could extend up to 10 years if the PIC 4020 violation is about fake identity and/or identity theft. There is no waiver for cases involving fake identities.

    Importance of Seeking Professional Legal Advice

    It might sadden you upon knowing that your visa application is not only refused, but also that it allegedly broke an important Australian immigration law. Here’s why seeking professional legal advice is extremely important for the following reasons:

    Clarity and Understanding

    The PIC 4020 requirement may be full of legal jargon that may be confusing and difficult to understand among non-legal professionals. Immigration law experts can help simplify the terms and make you better understand the guidelines.

    Avoid Costly Mistakes

    Compared to hiring an experienced migration agent, doing it by yourself or relying on someone who’s not a legal professional may actually cost you more in the end. Seek assistance only from an expert with an in-depth expertise in all areas of immigration law.

    Stronger Chances

    If you want to greatly improve your chances of having your visa application accepted/approved, without resorting to unethical practices, a PIC 4020 specialist can provide expert help. They can give best recommendations, ask the right questions to fully understand your case, and serve as your partner in securing your visa and PR dreams.

    Appeals and Waivers

    Despite fulfilling the requirements and submitting the correct documents, you may still experience the heartbreak of a visa rejection. A qualified migration agent could help you submit a persuasive appeal or present your case as deserving of a PIC 4020 waiver. This is provided that your lawyer sees compelling evidence that will support your appeal.

    Need Visa Assistance?

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    How Parish Patience Can Help You With Your PIC 4020 Case

    You will not just get a lawyer to represent you in all your legal steps and processes. We’re invested in your case and fighting for your visa grant. Here’s how we can help you with your PIC 4020 case.

    Eligibility Evaluation


    Evaluating your eligibility is a major and important first step. With a registered migration agent, you can gauge your chances of winning against the PIC 4020 requirement.

    Legal Advice


    After learning more about your case, that’s when we provide expert solutions and advice to give you the best options that’ll help you make a smart legal decision.

    Case Management


    Expect only a highly qualified migration specialist to handle and manage your case. We will make it a personal mission to help you win a visa grant.

    Application Assistance


    We can lodge and process your application or appeal as your proxy and make sure all your documents and forms are completed and submitted on time.

    Keep You In the Know


    Our support doesn’t stop after your application. We’ll keep you updated about any progress and provide ongoing assistance and guidance as needed.

    Plan Your Next Steps


    We are so positive you’re going to get that visa that we’re keen to help you plan your next best steps, whether it’s simply extending your visa or becoming a permanent resident!

    We Can Also Help You With

    Success Stories of 410 Highly Rated Reviews


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

    Consult with an Immigration Expert for Your PIC 4020 Concerns


    Entrust your PIC 4020 and other visa-related concerns only to immigration experts from Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers. We’ve helped countless individuals and businesses have their visas approved in the smoothest processes possible.

    Whether your purpose is travel, work, study, business, or seeking refuge in Australia, our team of accredited lawyers can make obtaining a visa a lot less stressful and exhausting for you, and help you to have a surer pathway to gaining permanent residency.

    Speak to a lawyer today for professional consultation!

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      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


      What is the meaning of PIC 4020?

      Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020 is a requirement that most visa applicants need to honour in order to get their visa application approved. PIC 4020 simply states that you must not provide bogus or misleading information in your papers, or your visa will be refused and suffer from ban, fines, and even imprisonment, depending on the severity of your case. 

      When was PIC 4020 introduced?

      First introduced in 2011, PIC 4020 is an integrity measure that aims to avoid fraudulent attempts of obtaining a visa to Australia.

      What are bogus documents for visa?

      Bogus documents are any submitted documents for a visa application that are false and misleading, such as fake passports and birth certificates, and untrue claims about one’s work experience. All of these will result in visa denial, unless proven in an appeal or a request for PIC 4020 waiver to be either a result of a genuine mistake or deserving of reconsideration on compassionate grounds. 

      Can PIC 4020 be waived?

      Yes, PIC 4020 may be waived if there are compassionate and compelling grounds for a waiver. However, this is often difficult to obtain, as you really need to convince a case officer that your visa must be granted, such as that the refusal of your visa may negatively affect an Australian citizen or the country as a whole.

      What is the effect of PIC 4020?

      Failing to meet the requirements set under the Public Interest Criterion 4020 will result in a visa refusal. Apart from that, the applicant who submitted bogus documents may be subjected to a three-year ban on applying for a visa. If it’s related to fake identity, the ban could stretch to over 10 years.

      Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers Sydney
      Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers Sydney
      381 Google reviews
      Sadia Ahmed
      Sadia Ahmed
      2024-03-13
      Usman looked after my file and we are granted 189 today . Very supportive team
      T Malhi
      T Malhi
      2024-03-07
      I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Parish Patience for the exceptional service they provided throughout my journey from Winning MRT(student visa ), 485 Visa and another student visa extensions to finally obtaining skilled migration. Usman demonstrated remarkable expertise and unwavering patience in addressing all my inquiries. I never felt the need to persistently follow up for updates on my application. His consistently kind, generous, and positive demeanor was truly commendable. I highly recommend Usman's services and extend my heartfelt appreciation to him.Thank you, Usman for bringing joy to those who have lost hope. You should be proud of the work you do
      Yaad Matharu
      Yaad Matharu
      2024-03-07
      I highly recommend their service. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Usman for his exceptional professionalism and expertise.
      Umer Saeed
      Umer Saeed
      2024-03-04
      Very professional, high standards of service and comprehensive knowledge of immigration, i strongly recommend them to anyone who requires immigration advice.
      Safat Aqib
      Safat Aqib
      2024-02-27
      I received excellent service from Parish patience. Usman and Billah were extremely proficient and courteous, and they assisted me throughout every stage. I strongly recommend them to anyone who requires immigration advice.
      Kanika Dua
      Kanika Dua
      2024-02-22
      Hi Just want to share my recent experience with parish patience. I was depressed and hopeless about my case and MR PRASAD at parish patience gave me hope and prepared my file very strong so I win in the AAT hearing. The case is in my favour now and hopefully i will get PR very soon. Highly recommend their service. They all are professionals and experts in their fields.
      Anand Inbasekaran
      Anand Inbasekaran
      2024-02-19
      I thank Upasna for making the visa process smooth and stress- free. Her attention to detail, prompt responsiveness, and in-depth knowledge of immigration procedures reflect a high standard of service. It was a pleasure to work with Parish Patience, and I would confidently recommend your services to others.
      Thihan Oo
      Thihan Oo
      2024-02-17
      Very happy and grateful for your services, fast, reliable, approachable and super efficient team, Shan and Asha, you guys are the best.
      Sarma B
      Sarma B
      2024-02-16
      I can't express enough gratitude for the outstanding service provided by my lawyer in helping me secure my partner visa. From the moment I walked into their office, I felt reassured by their warm demeanor and professionalism. Throughout the entire process, they were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, guiding me through each step with patience and clarity. What truly sets them apart is their accessibility. Whenever I had a question or concern, they were readily available, promptly responding to calls and emails, which alleviated any anxiety I had about the process. Their dedication to their clients is truly commendable. Thanks to their expertise and unwavering support, I am now able to build a future with my partner without the stress of immigration uncertainties. I wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance, especially for partner visas. Thank you immensely for your outstanding representation!
      Rohan chowdhury
      Rohan chowdhury
      2024-02-06
      Usman Ali is by far one of the best lawyers I’ve met, very knowledgeable, very professional, calm, supportive, prompt in replying with his emails, basically everything that you look in a lawyer. He made the process unbelievable quick, effective and successful. Heartily thankful for him and the whole team.