Quick Answer
A Request for Further Information (RFI, sometimes called an S56 request) is a formal notice from a Home Affairs case officer asking you to provide additional documents or evidence before they can decide your visa application. You’ll usually see it appear in your ImmiAccount and receive an email alert. It comes with a strict deadline — commonly 28 days, though this varies by visa subclass and request type — and missing it can result in your application being decided on the information already provided, or refused. An RFI is not a refusal and does not mean something is wrong with your case; it’s a normal part of processing for many applications.
If you’ve logged into ImmiAccount and found a request for further information sitting against your application, it’s natural to feel uneasy. This guide explains exactly what an RFI is, why it happens, how it affects your processing time, and what to do to respond correctly and on time.
Received an RFI and not sure how to respond? Umar Ashraf (MARA #2619222) can review the request and help you prepare a complete response — in English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. Book a free consultation →
What Is a Request for Further Information (RFI)?
An RFI is a formal request issued under the Migration Act (commonly referencing section 56) asking you — or someone connected to your application, such as a sponsor or nominating employer — to provide specific additional information, documents, or evidence. Case officers issue RFIs when the evidence already submitted isn’t sufficient on its own to make a decision, whether that’s a missing document, an expired one, an inconsistency that needs explaining, or evidence of a requirement (like employment or English test results) that wasn’t fully addressed at lodgement.
You’ll usually be notified of an RFI two ways: an email to the address registered on your ImmiAccount, and the request itself appearing directly against your application inside ImmiAccount, where you also upload your response.
Common Reasons Case Officers Issue an RFI
- Missing or expired supporting documents — an expired police check, passport, or health examination result.
- Incomplete employment evidence — reference letters missing key details (duties, hours, salary), or payslip gaps that don’t match the employment period claimed.
- Uncertified or poor-quality document translations — a translation that isn’t NAATI-certified, or a scan too low-quality to read clearly.
- Inconsistencies between documents — dates, names, or figures that don’t match across different pieces of evidence.
- Health or character follow-ups — a request for an additional medical examination, or further information relating to a character (police) check.
- Relationship evidence gaps — for partner visas, insufficient evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship.
How Does an RFI Affect Processing Time?
An RFI pauses the clock on your application — the processing-time countdown effectively resets or extends from the point you respond, not from your original lodgement date. Depending on what’s being requested, this delay can range from a few weeks to several months, particularly if the request involves something outside your direct control, such as a police clearance from a country with a long processing backlog, or a follow-up medical examination booking. See our current visa fee schedule for context on which visa subclasses tend to run longer, and check Home Affairs’ published processing time data for your specific subclass.
How to Respond to an RFI Correctly
- Read the request carefully, in full. Case officers are usually specific about exactly what’s missing — respond to precisely what’s asked, not a general re-submission of your file.
- Note the deadline and diarise it immediately. Deadlines are commonly around 28 days but vary by request type and visa subclass — check the exact date stated in your request, not just this guide.
- Gather every requested document before uploading anything. Submitting a partial response can sometimes be treated as your final response, so it’s safer to have everything ready first.
- Upload directly through ImmiAccount against the specific request, in the file formats accepted (usually PDF).
- Keep copies of everything you submit, including timestamps, in case you need to reference it later.
- If you can’t get a document in time (for example, a police check stuck in a backlog), contact Home Affairs or have your agent do so before the deadline — don’t simply let the deadline pass without any communication.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If you don’t respond by the stated deadline, Home Affairs can decide your application based solely on the information already on file — which, if the RFI was asking for something material, often means refusal. In some circumstances a late response may still be considered if the decision hasn’t yet been made, but you should never rely on this. Treat every RFI deadline as final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does receiving an RFI mean my visa will be refused?
No. An RFI is a routine part of processing for many applications and simply means the case officer needs more information before deciding. Most applicants who respond completely and on time continue to a normal decision.
How long do I have to respond to an RFI?
Deadlines vary by visa subclass and the type of request, but 28 days is common. Always check the exact deadline stated in your specific request rather than assuming a standard timeframe.
Can I get an extension on an RFI deadline?
Extensions are not guaranteed and are handled case by case. If you genuinely cannot meet the deadline — for example, due to a document delay outside your control — contact Home Affairs or your migration agent well before the deadline, not after it has passed.
Where do I see and respond to an RFI?
RFIs appear directly against your application inside ImmiAccount, and you’ll also receive an email notification. See our ImmiAccount login guide if you’re having trouble accessing your account.
Official Sources & Further Reading
This article is for general information only. Migration law and processing practices change frequently. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a MARA-registered agent.
Call Umar directly: 0424 260 655
Email: info@magpieconsultants.com.au
Office: Office #3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076
Consultations in: English | اردو Urdu | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Punjabi | हिन्दी Hindi
Umar Ashraf
MARA Registered Migration Agent & Education Consultant | MARA #2619222 | Epping, Melbourne VIC
Umar Ashraf is a MARA-registered migration agent specialising in complex cases, visa cancellations, ART tribunal appeals, and employer sponsorship. He provides consultations in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
