You need a clean immigration law document pack before a first consultation.
Professionals, employers, recruiters, spouses, and advisers preparing a critical-skills visa consultation need qualifications, work history, professional registration, official references, and status records organised.
Not For
Drafting legal documents, choosing a legal route, or making binding decisions without tailored advice.
Documents
Passport
Qualification records
SAQA evaluation
Professional registration proof
CV
Employment offer or contract
Experience letters
DHA or VFS receipts
Identity records
Authority records
Official records
Financial records
Correspondence
Question list
Timeline
Before consultation: collect identity, authority, core matter, official, and money records.
During review: confirm controlling records, missing documents, and next route.
Afterwards: save final versions and calendar next dates.
Ongoing: update the document index as records change.
Tips
Send documents in date order.
Keep draft and final versions separate.
Name who has authority to instruct the lawyer.
Ask what can be handled remotely and what needs original documents.
Warning Signs
Authority to sign or instruct is unclear.
An official deadline or filing date is close.
Records conflict with each other.
A document is being pushed for urgent signature.
This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.