Sometimes the problem is not a refusal — it is silence. If Immigration has taken an unreasonably long time to decide your application, you do not have to keep waiting indefinitely. The Federal Court can issue an order called mandamus, requiring Immigration to make a decision. Since 2004, we have helped applicants break through unreasonable delays and get their files moving again.
Who this is for
This page is for anyone whose permanent residence, work permit, study permit, citizenship, or sponsorship application has been pending far longer than normal processing times — with no decision, and no reasonable explanation for the delay.
How mandamus works
- We assess the delay against published processing times and the facts of your file.
- We send a demand asking Immigration to decide within a reasonable time.
- We apply to the Federal Court for an order compelling a decision if the delay is not resolved.
In many cases, a well-founded demand alone is enough to prompt a decision without a full hearing.