Case Study: The Cost of Going It Alone – A Graphic Designer’s Missed Opportunity

Recently, a client came to us after experiencing a major setback in his skilled migration journey. He had lodged an Expression of Interest (EOI) on his own as a Graphic Designer and received an invitation from NSW to apply for state nomination.

However, things quickly went wrong. He submitted the nomination application while holding a tourist visa, and NSW Business and Skilled Migration rejected his application on this basis. Despite being physically in Sydney, the fact that he was on a tourist visa raised red flags, and the state authority deemed him ineligible to proceed.

Now approaching his 40s, this client had lost what may have been his only opportunity to secure a permanent skilled visa invitation.

This case is a reminder that when it comes to permanent residency, the details matter — and getting it wrong can be costly in both time and opportunity.

That’s where a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) comes in. We stepped in after this client’s rejection to help reassess his options, build a compliant strategy, and avoid further errors.

If your visa pathway is important — and especially if age is becoming a factor — don’t take unnecessary risks. Let a professional handle it from the start.

This case study is for informational purposes only. The occupation and circumstances have been modified for privacy and should be treated as a general example. It does not constitute migration advice. Please seek personalised advice based on your individual situation.