John Hourigan (MARN 0000377), Life Member and Immediate PastNational President of the Migration Institute of Australia
John is the only independent RMA member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) to be elected as National President - John is also Canberra's only MIA member to be awarded Life Membership of the MIA
John Hourigan is a Registered Migration Agent with over 25 years’ experience as a registered migration agent and has lodged several thousand successful applications spanning all visa categories. The Migration Act, Migration Regulations and policy instructions change constantly and rapidly. John keeps his finger on the pulse of current immigration law, policies and procedures to ensure clients are provided with up-to-date advice and assistance to meet all their immigration and citizenship needs. John has been a practising agent since 2000 and prior to becoming an agent he worked in the Immigration Department for over 21 years including working in several overseas posts administrating Australia’s immigration program, interviewing visa applicants and in deciding the outcome of their visa applications. There are very few registered migration agents who can claim having a similar skill set to that of Mr Hourigan's. John was the founder and inaugural Secretary of the ACT Chapter of the MIA, the first such Chapter of the MIA. In recognition of his superior immigration law knowledge and experience he was the first Canberra MIA member to be awarded Fellowship status of the MIA.
The MIA rewarded John's expertise and skills in immigration law by making him the first Canberra and regions Associate Fellow (AFMIA) about 15 years ago, Canberra's first Fellow (FMIA) in 2013 and Canberra's first Life Member (LMMIA) in 2022. John has also been a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, a Fellow of the Institute of Financial Accountants and a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants; and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. In April 2018, John became a Director of the MIA, following an approach by the Board of Directors to take up the position of the Independent RMA Director position. John was elected as National President of the MIA in November 2018. John has formal immigration law, accounting and management qualifications. John was a lecturer in the Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice at the Australian National University, the premier course for aspiring Migration Agents, until the ANU ceased teaching the program in December 2017. He also presents continuing professional development seminars and workshops for the MIA and is a popular speaker at migration seminars, industry meetings and conferences.
John is also an accredited immigration law educator.
John also represents the MIA at migration advice industry liaison meetings with the Immigration Ministers and senior Immigration Department officers and other stakeholders. Recently, John’s knowledge of immigration law, regulations and practices were recognised by the ACT Magistrates Court which appointed him as an independent expert witness for immigration matters. John has a passion for client focused customer service. His mantra is to put the client first and the rest will follow.
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