Home Affairs Asked for More Information or Comment? Deadlines and How to Respond

Before a visa is refused or cancelled, the Department of Home Affairs often writes to you first. The letter may ask for more documents, or set out adverse information and invite you to comment. How you respond can decide the outcome. This guide explains the main types of letters, the usual deadlines and how to write a strong response.

Types of letters

Letter	What it means	Usual response period
Request for more information (section 56)	The case officer needs further documents or details	28 days for most applicants in Australia
Invitation to comment on adverse information (section 57)	Information may be a reason to refuse. You can respond before a decision	28 days for most applicants in Australia
Invitation given at an interview or by phone	As above	7 days
Visitor or medical treatment visa applicants in Australia	As above	7 days
Applicants in immigration detention	As above	5 days
Notice of intention to consider cancellation	The Department is considering cancelling a visa you hold	As stated in the notice
Notice of intention to consider refusal or cancellation on character grounds	Section 501 is being considered	Generally 28 days

The letter itself states the deadline and how to respond. Always follow what it says. These periods do not apply to requests for third party information about health, English, skills assessments or public interest criteria, which may set their own timeframes.

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Section 56 or section 57: why it matters

A section 57 letter is a warning. A section 56 request simply asks for more. A section 57 letter means the Department has information, specifically about you or another person, that would be the reason or part of the reason to refuse, and it must explain why the information is relevant and invite you to comment. It does not cover information you gave yourself for the application. See s57 natural justice letters.

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How to write a strong response

1. Answer every point: list each concern and respond to it separately.
2. Provide evidence: documents carry more weight than statements alone. Use statutory declarations to explain gaps.
3. Be consistent: check dates and details against your earlier applications and forms.
4. Correct mistakes honestly: explain how an error happened. Giving false or misleading information can lead to a PIC 4020 refusal. See PIC 4020.
5. Meet the deadline: send what you have on time, and say what further documents are coming.

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Should you withdraw instead?

In some cases, withdrawing an application before a decision avoids a refusal on your record and the section 48 bar that a refusal can trigger. But withdrawing also gives up review rights, and can end your bridging visa 35 days later. It does not stop the Department relying on information about false documents in a future application. Get advice before deciding. See the section 48 bar.

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Letters from the ART

If you have a review at the ART, the Tribunal may also send you adverse information and invite comment before it affirms a decision. ART deadlines are set in the letter and are often short. See what happens at an ART hearing.

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What you should do now

• Identify the type of letter: request for information, invitation to comment or notice of intention.
• Note the deadline: and count from the date you received it.
• Gather evidence for each issue: and keep copies of everything you send.
• Ask for an extension early: in writing, before the deadline, if you need more time.