Does the Visa 186 Process Require an Interview?

If you have been through another visa process that involved an interview (such as student visas for certain countries, or US/Canadian immigration), you may be anxious about an interview for the subclass 186. The good news: there is usually no interview in the Australian visa 186 process.

Visa 186: no standard interview

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) assesses a subclass 186 application entirely on the documents lodged (a document-based assessment). There is no interview at a consular office or DHA office as a standard part of the process.

This differs from the immigration systems of the United States, Canada and some other countries.

DHA may request further information

Even though there is no interview, DHA may send a Section 56 notice or a Section 107 request — asking you to supply additional information or to explain a specific point in writing.

Common examples of such requests include:

Explaining a gap in your employment history
Providing further evidence of your work experience with the employer
Clarifying a matter in your criminal record
Supplying additional information about your health

Responding to a Section 56/107 request is not an interview — you reply in writing and provide further documents.

When might DHA ask to meet in person?

This is rare, but in some unusual cases DHA may seek further verification. It is not a standard step and usually only happens when:

There are indicators of fraud in the application
A relationship with a dependant needs further verification (for example, where a marriage is in question)

Health examination: yes, but not an interview

The health examination is a mandatory requirement and can be mistaken for an “interview”. In reality:

It is conducted by a DHA-appointed Panel Physician
It includes a general examination, a chest X-ray, and blood tests (depending on the case)
The results are sent directly to DHA — it is not a visa assessment session

In short

The subclass 186 process:

Has no interview at a consular office or with DHA
Includes a health examination with a DHA-appointed doctor
May involve a request for further information (answered in writing)
Is assessed entirely on the documents lodged

Focus on preparing a complete and accurate application from the outset — this is the most important factor for the outcome.