Gold Migration Lawyers Has Closed — What Melbourne Clients Need to Do Urgently

If you received an email from Gold Migration Lawyers notifying you of their sudden closure, you are not alone. On Friday 29 May 2026, Gold Migration Pty Ltd informed clients that it would cease all operations within 72 hours — leaving hundreds of people mid-application, without legal representation, and without clear answers about what happens next.

It is a deeply unsettling situation, particularly when your visa, your right to remain in Australia, or years of careful preparation are on the line. The good news is this: your application has not been cancelled. Your options are not gone. And you can act right now to protect your matter.

What the Closure Means for Your Visa Application

The closure of Gold Migration Lawyers does not cancel your visa application. Your application remains lodged with the Department of Home Affairs and continues to be processed. What has changed is that the firm lodged Form 956 notices to withdraw as your legal representative — meaning the Department no longer has anyone on record to receive correspondence about your matter.

This is the most urgent issue to address. Until a new representative is appointed, important letters, requests for information, and decision notices could be missed — potentially affecting your application outcome. Acting quickly, even if your hearing or decision date is still months away, is essential.

Your Bridging Visa Is Still Valid

If you hold a Bridging Visa A or Bridging Visa B whilst your substantive visa application is being processed, that bridging visa remains valid. A law firm closing down has no effect whatsoever on your right to remain in Australia lawfully while your application is active. You do not need to leave the country. You do not become unlawful overnight. What matters most is that your substantive application continues to progress — and that requires appointing a new registered immigration lawyer as soon as possible.

Your Most Urgent Priority: Form 956

Form 956 is the official document used to appoint or change a migration representative with the Department of Home Affairs. When you engage a new lawyer, they will lodge Form 956 on your behalf to formally notify the Department that they are now your representative of record.

Once Form 956 is lodged, all future correspondence — including any requests for further information, health or character checks, and visa decisions — will be directed to your new representative. You will not need to manage this process yourself. Your new lawyer handles it entirely.

If You Have an ART Appeal Pending — Act Today

If your matter is before the Administrative Review Tribunal, this is the most time-critical situation of all. ART deadlines continue to run regardless of what has happened to your previous lawyer. Submissions, response deadlines, and hearing dates do not pause for a firm closure.

It is also important to note that the ART expanded its paper-based hearing powers in May 2026 — meaning the quality and completeness of written submissions matters more than ever. If you have a hearing date approaching or outstanding documents due to the Tribunal, please call us today. Our lawyers are admitted to practise law in Victoria and can represent you before the ART and, if necessary, in the Federal Court.

Why Former Gold Migration Clients Are Choosing Amity Lawyers

Amity Lawyers is a boutique immigration law firm based at Level 24, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD — the same city as the overwhelming majority of Gold Migration’s client base. We are not a national call centre. We are a small, experienced team of qualified lawyers admitted to practise law in Victoria and registered with the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner. This means we can provide formal legal advice, appear before the ART, and represent you in the Federal Court if your matter requires it — something a migration agent alone cannot do.

With 116 five-star Google reviews, our track record speaks for itself. Our Principal Solicitor, Navid K. Baghi, personally oversees complex and urgent matters — you are not passed to a junior or a case manager. If you have been let down once, we understand that trust must be earned. That is why we offer a free 10-minute consultation with no obligation and no sales pitch — just an honest assessment of where your matter stands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my visa application get cancelled when my lawyer closes?

No. Your application remains lodged with the Department of Home Affairs and is still being processed. The closure of your law firm removes your representative from record but does not withdraw or cancel your application.

What happens to my bridging visa if my immigration lawyer stops representing me?

Your bridging visa remains valid while your substantive visa application is active. The change in representation has no effect on your bridging visa status. You continue to hold lawful status in Australia.

How do I appoint a new immigration lawyer mid-application?

Your new lawyer will lodge Form 956 with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf. This formally notifies the Department of the change in representative and redirects all future correspondence to the new firm. You do not need to manage this process yourself.

I have an ART hearing coming up and no longer have a lawyer — what should I do?

Contact a registered immigration lawyer immediately. ART hearing dates and submission deadlines continue to run and will not be postponed simply because your previous representative has withdrawn. Call Amity Lawyers on 03 8658 5959 today — we will review your hearing date, identify all outstanding deadlines, and ensure you are properly represented.

Can Amity Lawyers take over my partner visa application from Gold Migration?

Yes. We regularly assist clients who need to change representatives mid-application, including those on partner visas. Once you contact us, we handle the Form 956 transfer process entirely — you do not need to contact the Department of Home Affairs yourself. Call us on 03 8658 5959 for a free 10-minute consultation and we will assess your matter the same day.