Mr. Sun’s fate seemed to be constantly shrouded in darkness. Coming from a country where religious persecution was severe, he faced threats, imprisonment, and the loss of personal security simply for openly practicing his faith. In a turning point in his life, he fled his homeland and arrived in Australia, hoping to start anew in a land of freedom. However, fate was not so kind to him.

He submitted his 866 Protection Visa application on his own, only to receive a cold rejection letter months later. The immigration department deemed his evidence “insufficient and lacking logical clarity,” failing to prove the real risk of persecution upon return. That night, he lay awake in his rented apartment, staring at the thin piece of paper in his hand, feeling helpless and angry. Unsure of what to do next, he heard from a friend about one name—Merchants Prosperity. With his rejection letter and a stack of disorganized documents, Mr. Sun walked into our office. His eyes were filled with exhaustion and anxiety, as if he was ready to give up at any moment.

“Can you really help me?” he asked in a low voice.

Our consultants patiently listened to his story, carefully reviewed the rejection letter, and then handed him a cup of warm tea, saying: “What you’ve been through is real, but your story needs to be presented more clearly. A rejection is not the end—we can fight for your chance through an appeal.” These words reignited the small spark of hope deep within Mr. Sun’s heart.

Rebuilding the Case: Starting from Scratch

To win the appeal, we had to completely restructure Mr. Sun’s case, rebuild the evidence chain, and refine every detail.

Step 1: Finding New Evidence

Mr. Sun’s initial application lacked third-party support and a complete timeline. We focused on strengthening the case through the following approaches:

• International Support: Through our network, we contacted a religious leader from Mr. Sun’s home country, who provided a crucial letter confirming that Mr. Sun had been imprisoned due to his faith.
• Event Records: Mr. Sun had attended a major religious gathering but failed to submit any supporting photos. We reached out to the event organizers and retrieved multiple group photos clearly identifying him.
• Medical Reports: Due to the persecution he endured, Mr. Sun had sustained multiple injuries. We arranged for a comprehensive medical examination at a reputable Australian medical institution, securing a strong medical report as additional evidence.

Step 2: Refining the Personal Statement

Mr. Sun’s personal statement was the heart of his case, but his original version was too brief and failed to present the full picture. We worked closely with him to rewrite a more compelling and detailed statement:

• A thorough description of his religious activities and the persecution he faced.
• A well-researched explanation of the specific threats he would face if he returned, supported by international human rights reports.
• An emphasis on the reality that he could not rely on his home country for protection.

Step 3: Preparing for the Hearing

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) hearing was the decisive moment for his case. Prior to the hearing, we conducted multiple mock training sessions with Mr. Sun, helping him practice answering questions clearly and confidently. Though nervous at first, each session strengthened his composure.

The Hearing: A Critical Moment

On the day of the hearing, Mr. Sun dressed in a clean, formal suit, but his palms were sweaty with anxiety. We walked into the hearing room together, guiding him to stay calm.

During the hearing, our legal representative thoroughly explained the legal basis of the case and the reliability of the additional evidence. When the tribunal member asked, “What is your greatest fear if you return to your home country?” Mr. Sun paused for a moment before answering firmly:

“I could be arrested, or worse, disappear into prison. My family would also suffer because of me. That is why I must stay in Australia.”

The Moment of Victory

A few months later, Mr. Sun received a letter from the AAT. Carefully, he opened it, and when he saw the words “Appeal Successful,” tears welled up in his eyes.

He rushed to our office, clutching the letter in his hands, too overwhelmed to speak.

“Thank you! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”