John Hourigan (MARN 0000377)

Canberra's Leading Registered Migration Agent

John Hourigan (MARN 0000377) is one of Australia's most experienced and highly respected Registered Migration Agents, with more than 26 years in professional migration practice and over 50 years of combined immigration experience.

Based in Canberra, John has successfully managed and overseen thousands of visa, migration and citizenship matters across virtually every Australian visa category. His extensive expertise in Australian immigration law, policy and procedure enables him to provide strategic, practical and up-to-date advice to individuals, families, skilled migrants, employers and businesses throughout Australia and around the world.

Prior to becoming a Registered Migration Agent in 2000, John served for more than 21 years with the Australian Department of Immigration, including appointments at several overseas posts. During his government career, he was directly involved in administering Australia's migration program, assessing visa applications, interviewing applicants and making visa decision recommendations.

This unique combination of senior government experience and more than two decades in private migration practice provides clients with exceptional insight into Australia's immigration system and visa decision-making processes.

Industry Leadership & Professional Recognition

John is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading migration professionals and has made significant contributions to the migration advice profession over many years.

He is:

Life Member, Migration Institute of Australia (LMMIA)
Immediate Past National President, Migration Institute of Australia (2018-2021)
Fellow, Migration Institute of Australia (FMIA)
Founder, Inaugural Secretary and Current Secretary of the ACT Chapter of the Migration Institute of Australia
Fellow, Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders
Fellow, Institute of Public Accountants
Fellow, Institute of Financial Accountants
Fellow, Governance Institute of Australia

Notably, John is:

The only independent Registered Migration Agent ever elected National President of the Migration Institute of Australia
The only Canberra-based Migration Institute of Australia Life Member
The only recipient in Canberra to achieve Associate Fellow, Fellow and Life Member status within the Migration Institute of Australia
A dual recipient of the Migration Institute of Australia Distinguished Service Award (2013 and 2022)

Immigration Law Educator & Industry Expert

John holds formal qualifications in immigration law, accounting and management and is an accredited immigration law educator.

He previously lectured in the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice at the Australian National University, one of Australia's leading migration law programs. He has also delivered Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs for migration professionals and remains a sought-after presenter at migration conferences, seminars and professional forums throughout Australia.

Through his ongoing engagement with government stakeholders and industry bodies, John remains at the forefront of developments in Australian migration law, policy and administrative practice.

Why Clients Choose John Hourigan

✔ More than 26 years as a Registered Migration Agent

✔ Over 50 years of immigration industry experience

✔ Former Australian Department of Immigration Officer

✔ Thousands of successful visa and citizenship matters

✔ Former National President of the Migration Institute of Australia

✔ Canberra's most experienced and highly awarded migration professional

✔ Accredited immigration law educator and industry presenter

✔ Strategic advice backed by government and private-sector experience

✔ Trusted adviser to individuals, families, employers and businesses

Australian Visa & Citizenship Expertise

John provides professional assistance across a broad range of migration matters, including:

Skilled Migration Visas
Employer Sponsored Visas
Partner & Family Visas
Student & Graduate Visas
Business & Investor Migration
Australian Citizenship Applications
Visa Refusals & Cancellations
Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) Reviews
Ministerial Intervention Requests
Migration Compliance & Advisory Services

Whether you are seeking assistance with an Australian visa application, citizenship matter, employer sponsorship, visa refusal or complex immigration issue, John brings decades of expertise, strategic advocacy and professional insight to every case.

Experience Matters When Your Future in Australia Is at Stake

Book a consultation with John Hourigan, Canberra's leading Registered Migration Agent, and receive trusted advice from one of Australia's most experienced migration professionals.

Hourigan Visa & Migration Services

Canberra Registered Migration Agents