This Immigration Retainer Agreement sets out how I will work with you on the employment pass retainer. It applies from the date you accept it and, if there is an accepted proposal for this matter, it should be read alongside that proposal so the scope, fees, and timeline line up in one place. If anything in writing conflicts, I will flag it early and I will not proceed on the conflicted point until we agree which version to follow.
What I will handle
The employment pass retainer covers the application work and the ongoing case management described below, for the candidate or pass holder named in the accepted proposal. It includes eligibility and checklist review, drafting and alignment of the employer narrative, online form completion, lodgement, tracking, and handling authority follow-ups that relate to what was filed.
The specific deliverables, milestones, and any fixed inclusions or exclusions are the items listed under this clause. You will give me the documents and answers I request by the dates we agree, and you will tell me as soon as anything material changes, such as job title, salary, employer details, travel plans, or family members to be included.
Payment
I split fees into setup work and ongoing monthly case management. Setup work is billed 50% to start, and the other 50% when the application work is complete. I treat “complete” as the point where the application has been drafted, filed, and I have delivered the filed bundle and next-step plan, even if the authority decision comes later.
Ongoing work is invoiced at the start of each month. Every invoice is payable within 7 days of its date. If an invoice goes unpaid, I will pause non-urgent work and I may miss authority deadlines if I cannot resume in time. I will tell you what is at risk before any pause affects a filing or reply.
Privacy and file copies
I keep your information private and I use it only to run the application, respond to MOM or ICA queries, and maintain your file record. This includes the documents you provide, drafts, portal messages, and details about the role and employer. If I need to share anything with a third party (for example, a translator you engage, or an external signatory), I will do it only to the extent needed to move the application forward.
When the engagement ends, you keep ownership of your source documents and the final filed forms and letters once fees due are paid. I will keep a copy of the matter record for my own compliance and reference, and I can provide you a copy of the final file pack on request.
How I’m engaged
I am engaged as an independent professional providing legal services. I am not your employee, and I do not have authority to hire staff on your behalf, sign contracts for you, or make representations that go beyond what you have approved for filing. You remain responsible for your business decisions, internal HR processes, and the factual accuracy of the information you give me.
I use my own tools, templates, and working methods to draft, review, and file. I am responsible for my own taxes, insurance, and professional obligations. If you have internal compliance steps you want me to follow (for example, who must approve the employer letter), tell me at onboarding so I can build it into the filing plan.
Monthly retainer rhythm
The employment pass retainer is bought as a retainer with a monthly rhythm for case management, follow-ups, and deadline tracking. The monthly retainer period runs month to month and renews automatically. I invoice the monthly fee at the start of each month, and that invoice is payable within 7 days.
Either of us can stop the monthly retainer by written notice. I will confirm the stop date in writing and what work is still open at that point, such as an outstanding authority query or a pending card-collection step. If you stop mid-month, I will not start new non-urgent work after the stop date, but I will hand over the current status clearly so nothing is left hanging.
What I’m responsible for
I am responsible for doing the work with reasonable care, keeping track of what is outstanding, and filing what we agree to file. I am not responsible for the outcome or processing time of any application, because decisions and timelines sit with MOM or ICA. I also cannot protect you from delays caused by missing documents, late replies, or changes in facts that happen after drafting.
My work relies on what you and your employer provide. If information is incomplete, inconsistent, or changes after review, I may need to revise the draft story and supporting bundle. I will tell you promptly when that happens, and if it changes the scope materially I will price it and get your written go-ahead before I do the extra work.
Ending the engagement
You can pause or end the employment pass retainer by written notice. I may also end the engagement by written notice if I cannot continue professionally, if you ask me to file something I believe is misleading, or if invoices remain unpaid. In all cases, I will confirm where the matter stands: what has been filed, what is still outstanding, and the next deadlines or portal steps.
You will pay for work completed up to the end date and any disbursements already incurred. If a monthly invoice has been issued, it remains payable within 7 days of its date. After payment of amounts due, I will provide the latest filed bundle and key correspondence in a sensible handover pack so you or a replacement adviser can pick up without guessing.
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