Official form guide
Form 956: Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance
This form documents when a migration agent or an exempt person provides immigration assistance for someone applying to the Department of Home Affairs. You use it to officially declare who helped with the application process.
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Form Overview
Home Affairs Form 956 - Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance
This form documents when a migration agent or an exempt person provides immigration assistance for someone applying to the Department of Home Affairs. You use it to officially declare who helped with the application process.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not forget to list *all* persons who provided advice, even if they are unofficial helpers.
- 2Listing the wrong agent details
- 3Forgetting to declare an exempt person helper
- 4Not specifying the type of assistance given
- 5Failing to sign and date the declaration
Plain English
Think of this as a declaration slip. It tells the Department which registered expert helped put your visa or citizenship application together. This is important paperwork linking you to your helper.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit it when you are applying for a visa or citizenship where an agent has assisted. The exact timing depends on your application start date.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form if someone applies for a visa and a registered migration agent helped write or prepare parts of the application.
- Use it when an 'exempt person' (like a family member) provides assistance, but they aren't a registered agent.
- This is used to declare who provided the immigration assistance for a specific applicant.
- If you are the applicant and someone else helped, this form documents that help.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Applying directly without any help
You might just need to declare it in your ImmiAccount instead.
✓ Check if the system asks for a specific declaration.
Not confirmed in official source (but likely self-declaration)
Using an accredited employer or sponsor
The employer/sponsor can use this form to certify their agent's help.
✓ Ensure you name the correct assisting person.
Applying through a state government body
They may have a specific internal referral document, but 956 covers the assistance part.
✓ Ask the state body what they require.
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed deadline, but submit this form alongside your main application for best results. Submitting it late can cause processing delays.
Before you submit
- 1Double-check that the applicant's full name and date of birth match their passport exactly.
- 2Verify the exact visa subclass being applied for on the form.
- 3Confirm the assisting person (agent/exempt) is correctly named and has correct contact details.
- 4Ensure the relationship between the assistant and the applicant is clearly stated.
- 5If an agent, confirm they are registered with MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority).
- 6Sign or digitally sign every required field.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all fields on Form 956 using clear, legible handwriting or typing.
- 2Attach the form to your main visa application package if submitting hard copy.
- 3If submitting online via ImmiAccount, upload a scanned PDF of the completed form.
- 4Ensure you save the file before uploading it.
- 5If required by the system, digitally sign the document within the portal.
Known limitations
- 1This form only declares *who* helped; it does not confirm the quality or accuracy of the assistance provided.
- 2Not confirmed in official source: There is no guarantee that submitting this form instantly speeds up processing.
- 3The assisting person must be accurately identified as either a registered agent or an exempt person, otherwise, the declaration might be invalid.
- 4If multiple people assist, you may need to file multiple copies of Form 956.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
3 items
Your name exactly as shown in your passport.
Your date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
Passport number, country of issue, and expiry date.
Contact
1 items
Current residential address, postal address, email, and phone number.
Request
1 items
The visa, citizenship, or sponsorship request this form relates to.
Evidence
1 items
Certified copies of identity and other documents required for the request.
Declaration
1 items
Declare that the information is true and correct, then sign and date.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->This form officially records when a migration agent or an exempt person provides help with an immigration application to the Department of Home Affairs. It acts as the formal declaration of who assisted.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check if the specific version number has changed recently.
- Verify the current list of 'exempt persons' allowed under the latest guidelines.
- Confirm if there are new fields required depending on the visa subclass you are applying for.
- Look for any updates regarding digital submission requirements (e.g., mandatory e-signature).
- Ensure the Department of Home Affairs contact details listed are current.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCIssued by: Department of Home Affairs
- SRCForm Number: 956
- SRCPurpose: Declares assistance provided for immigration applications.
- SRCContext: Used when an agent or exempt person helps with the application package.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: Specific required submission method (online vs. paper) varies by visa type.
Common confusion points
Confusing 'Migration Agent' vs. 'Exempt Person': An exempt person is someone who helps but isn't formally registered with MARA.
When to use this form: If you used an agent, the agent usually signs it; if a friend helped, *you* sign it declaring their help.
Not confirmed in official source: Some applications might ask for this declaration within a specific online portal section rather than as a standalone upload.
Mistake: Forgetting to state the relationship (e.g., 'Parent,' 'Friend') between the assistant and applicant.
Source transparency
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