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July 11, 2025 | CyprusCyprus: New EU Blue Card Rules Adopted
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July 14, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Positive Lists for Graduates and Skilled Workers Updated
July 14, 2025Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group
July 11, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Cap Introduced for Family Reunification Applications in Quebec
July 11, 2025 | CyprusCyprus: New EU Blue Card Rules Adopted
July 14, 2025 | Thailand Thailand: Mandatory Online Registration for Companies Using the Single Window System
July 14, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Positive Lists for Graduates and Skilled Workers Updated
July 14, 2025Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group
July 11, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Cap Introduced for Family Reunification Applications in Quebec
July 11, 2025 | CyprusCyprus: New EU Blue Card Rules Adopted
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Photo of Chris Spentzaris

Partner

Chris Spentzaris

Photo of Chris Spentzaris
Photo of Chris Spentzaris
  • People

Partner

Chris Spentzaris

Countries / Territories

  • AustraliaAustralia
  • New ZealandNew Zealand

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Melbourne

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Melbourne

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Melbourne

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin
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With more than 30 years of dedicated immigration law experience, Chris co-leads Fragomen’s Asia Pacific Compliance and Advisory, Compliance and Government Relations practice. In tandem, he also leads Australia’s Private Client practice and is actively involved in spearheading the firm’s WorkRight technology, Fragomen’s global solution to simplify the process of verifying an employee’s right to work.

Serving clients in major industries at the backbone of the Australian economy, including education, technology, finance and healthcare, Chris intimately understands the needs of Australian businesses and how the country’s immigration system can support these needs. Chris is particularly adept at solving complex issues, so clients rely on him to handle their most challenging cases requiring creative immigration pathways and solutions.

Chris frequently advises boards of companies on governance and compliance matters, assisting them in navigating their obligations, identifying risks within their immigration programs and evaluating existing processes and systems for any gaps to ensure compliance. He also advises on labor shortages, workforce planning, business recruitment practices, the extent of global competition in attracting and retaining skills and global talent, and the use of ANZSCO occupation classifications in dictating Skilled Occupation Lists.

Currently the Deputy Chair of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia and a committee member of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria, Chris has a long history of working with the government to contribute to major policy developments, discussions and decisions. His invaluable network—particularly his longstanding relationships with the Department of Home Affairs and government agencies—allows him to work collaboratively with his clients as their trusted strategic partner while simultaneously impacting policy change for the benefit of Australia’s migration programs.

Chris is dedicated to volunteering with Justice Connect, an independent, not-for-profit organization with offices in Melbourne and Sydney that is committed to expanding access to justice by providing pro bono legal services to people experiencing disadvantage and the community organizations that support them. It does so by matching organizations and individuals who are ineligible for legal aid or cannot afford a lawyer with lawyers and barristers willing to act on a pro bono basis.

Chris speaks English and Greek.

Currently the Deputy Chair of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia and a committee member of the Migration Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria, Chris has a long history of working with the government to contribute to major policy developments, discussions and decisions. His invaluable network—particularly his longstanding relationships with the Department of Home Affairs and government agencies—allows him to work collaboratively with his clients as their trusted strategic partner while simultaneously impacting policy change for the benefit of Australia’s migration programs.

Chris is dedicated to volunteering with Justice Connect, an independent, not-for-profit organization with offices in Melbourne and Sydney that is committed to expanding access to justice by providing pro bono legal services to people experiencing disadvantage and the community organizations that support them. It does so by matching organizations and individuals who are ineligible for legal aid or cannot afford a lawyer with lawyers and barristers willing to act on a pro bono basis.

Chris speaks English and Greek.

Education

  • La Trobe University, LL.B. (Hons.), 1999
  • La Trobe University, Bachelor of Legal Studies, 1993

More from Chris

Admissions

Immigration Credentials: Accredited Specialist – Immigration Law, Law Institute of Victoria

Court Admissions: Barrister and Solicitor, Supreme Court of Victoria, Barrister and Solicitor, High Court of Australia

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in Australia, Immigration Law, 2018 to 2026

Professional accomplishments

Deputy Chair, Migration Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia 

Chair, Skilled Working Group, Migration Law Committee, Law Institute of Victoria

Committee Member, Executive Committee of the Administrative Law and Human Rights sections of the Law Institute of Victoria

Fellow Member, Migration Institute of Australia

Member, Law Institute of Victoria

Member, Law Council of Australia

Experience

Assisted corporations to manage compliance with business sponsorship obligations and Labor Agreements.

Briefed human resources managers and senior managers on immigration related issues, including compliance obligations.

Advised corporations and individuals on complex technical issues regarding immigration visa eligibility, policies and related planning.

Assisted individuals in relation to the full range of Australian visas, including skills migration, family migration, distinguished talent, and business skills visas as well as citizenship matters.

Represented clients before the Migration Review Tribunal, the Administrative Appeal Tribunal, and the Federal and High Courts of Australia.

Acted in a number of Federal Court cases, including two important cases involving appeals regarding decisions relating to applicants with a disability or who are permanently incapacitated.

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Post-Election Immigration Outlook: What’s Next and How to Prepare.” Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2025, Docklands, Australia, 7 May 2025.

Chair, “Compliance, Self-Incrimination and the Migrant Worker.” 2025 Law Council of Australia Immigration Law Conference, Canberra, Australia, 21 March 2025.

Co-chair, “Employer Sponsored / Labour Agreement.” 2025 Law Council of Australia Immigration Law Conference, Canberra, Australia, 20 March 2025.

Co-author, "Citizenship, Former Residents and Resident Return Visas." Lexis Nexis Practical Guidance Immigration Law Module, 2014. Web

Chris’s insights

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more

May 7, 2025 | Blog post

Understanding Compliance with PIC 4020: Meeting the Character Criteria for Australian VisasRead more

May 7, 2025 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2025Read more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Chris’s insights

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more

May 7, 2025 | Blog post

Understanding Compliance with PIC 4020: Meeting the Character Criteria for Australian VisasRead more

May 7, 2025 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2025Read more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Chris’s insights

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more

May 7, 2025 | Blog post

Understanding Compliance with PIC 4020: Meeting the Character Criteria for Australian VisasRead more

May 7, 2025 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2025Read more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Countries / Territories

  • AustraliaAustralia
  • New ZealandNew Zealand

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Melbourne

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Chris’s insights

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more

May 7, 2025 | Blog post

Understanding Compliance with PIC 4020: Meeting the Character Criteria for Australian VisasRead more

May 7, 2025 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2025Read more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Melbourne

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Chris’s insights

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more

May 7, 2025 | Blog post

Understanding Compliance with PIC 4020: Meeting the Character Criteria for Australian VisasRead more

May 7, 2025 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2025Read more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+ 61 3 9613 9301

F:+ 61 3 9613 9300

Melbourne

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 19, 500 Collins St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Chris’s insights

May 16, 2025 | Blog post

Partner Visa Challenges in Australia: What You Need to Know About Relationship EvidenceRead more

May 7, 2025 | Blog post

Understanding Compliance with PIC 4020: Meeting the Character Criteria for Australian VisasRead more

May 7, 2025 | Conference

Global Mobility Forum Melbourne 2025Read more
More related insights

Related content

Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand VisaRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry

Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Learn more

Video

Grace Period for Submission of Documents for Temporary Residence Permits Eliminated in Portugal | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: How Trump's Immigration Crackdown is Reshaping Financial Industry Hiring, Travel, and Dealmaking

Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

Charting a Course: Securing Space-Sector Talent Amid UK Immigration Reforms

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry

Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Learn more

Video

Grace Period for Submission of Documents for Temporary Residence Permits Eliminated in Portugal | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: How Trump's Immigration Crackdown is Reshaping Financial Industry Hiring, Travel, and Dealmaking

Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

Charting a Course: Securing Space-Sector Talent Amid UK Immigration Reforms

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

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