Important Updates
Important Updates
May 4, 2026 | Japan, United States2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
May 6, 2026 | United KingdomGlobal Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process
May 6, 2026 | IndiaIndia: New OCI Rules Bring Broader Eligibility but Stricter Compliance Measures
May 6, 2026 | RomaniaRomania: New Unified Work Permit System and Online System Implemented
May 6, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Submits F/J/I Duration of Status Termination Rule for Federal Review
May 4, 2026 | Japan, United States2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
May 6, 2026 | United KingdomGlobal Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process
May 6, 2026 | IndiaIndia: New OCI Rules Bring Broader Eligibility but Stricter Compliance Measures
May 6, 2026 | RomaniaRomania: New Unified Work Permit System and Online System Implemented
May 6, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Submits F/J/I Duration of Status Termination Rule for Federal Review
May 4, 2026 | Japan, United States2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
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Melani Koullapis

Director, Sydney Inbound

Melani Koullapis

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Melani Koullapis
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Director, Sydney Inbound

Melani Koullapis

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Level 7, 179 Elizabeth Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

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Sydney NSW 2000

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Melani is a Director based in Fragomen’s Sydney office. She is a registered migration agent with more than nineteen years of experience in Australian immigration law and a focus on providing immigration advice and assistance to businesses globally. As part of her role, Melani assists some of the Australian practice’s largest corporate clients—including some major industry leaders—with their transactional visa work, immigration compliance needs, a wide variety of visa matters including Subclass 400, 482 and 186 visa types, setting strategies to retain employees on short term visas through to permanent residency, complex application work and enquiries pertaining to immigration compliance, visa conditions and potential breaches, health and character. She also assists clients with setting their internal goals with respect to immigration/mobility and providing educational training to new and existing mobility staff on Australian immigration requirements, especially in light of regulatory change.

Prior to joining Fragomen, Melani worked with the Australian Department of Home Affairs as a client service team member, specifically assisting with applications under Australian family sponsored pathways.

Melani has vast experience across a variety of sectors, including engineering, media and news, healthcare, information and communications technology (ICT) and telecommunications. Her ability to provide pragmatic advice is well respected by her clients.

Education

  • Australian National University, Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice, 2008
  • The University of New South Wales, Bachelor of Social Science and Policy (History), 2004

More from Melani

Professional accomplishments

Immigration Credentials: Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0853523)

Member, Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)

Member, American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)

Experience

Worked with a multinational client to prepare and implement customized mobility practices in their Australian operations. This included refining workflow processes, updating documentation and policies, and facilitating the education of staff.

Worked with a multinational conglomerate to mobilize a highly qualified mechanical engineer from the U.S. to a service repair site in remote Western Australia to commence the urgent repair of a turbine and steam engine.

Partnered with a major media and news organization to mobilize broadcasters and performers from the UK to Australia where they were taking part in a major sporting event within two weeks.

Country / Territory

  • AustraliaAustralia

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8522

F:+61 2 8224 8500

Fragomen in Sydney

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 7, 179 Elizabeth Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8522

F:+61 2 8224 8500

Fragomen in Sydney

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 7, 179 Elizabeth Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Greek

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+61 2 8224 8522

F:+61 2 8224 8500

Fragomen in Sydney

Fragomen (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Level 7, 179 Elizabeth Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

Connect via Linkedin

Share

  • Twitter
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  • LinkedIn

Share

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Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Silicon Valley Business Journal: Trump’s H-1B Overhaul Favors Deep-Pocketed Bay Area Firms Over Indian Staffing Agencies

Partner Chad Ellsworth discusses recent H-1B lottery changes, including salary-weighted selection and filing restrictions, and how they are influencing employer selection outcomes and hiring approaches for foreign talent.

Learn more

Work authorization

EB-5 I-526E Request For Evidence Trends: Loans and Property Sales

Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EB‑5 I‑526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation—particularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.

Learn more

Work authorization

The Nordic Immigration Paradox: Why Digital Efficiency Still Creates Compliance Risk

Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the process—placing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and long‑term compliance from the outset.

Learn more

Work authorization

Canada FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa & Entry Requirements

Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Relief for Some OPT Applicants in “Immigration Limbo”

Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.

Learn more

Fragomen news

European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium Report: Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium

Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."

Learn more

Work authorization

From Investment to EU Residence: Why Italy’s Investor Visa is Gaining Momentum

Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Have a Canadian Great-Great Grandparent? It Could Make You Canadian.

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Features in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026

Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Silicon Valley Business Journal: Trump’s H-1B Overhaul Favors Deep-Pocketed Bay Area Firms Over Indian Staffing Agencies

Partner Chad Ellsworth discusses recent H-1B lottery changes, including salary-weighted selection and filing restrictions, and how they are influencing employer selection outcomes and hiring approaches for foreign talent.

Learn more

Work authorization

EB-5 I-526E Request For Evidence Trends: Loans and Property Sales

Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EB‑5 I‑526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation—particularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.

Learn more

Work authorization

The Nordic Immigration Paradox: Why Digital Efficiency Still Creates Compliance Risk

Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the process—placing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and long‑term compliance from the outset.

Learn more

Work authorization

Canada FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa & Entry Requirements

Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Relief for Some OPT Applicants in “Immigration Limbo”

Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.

Learn more

Fragomen news

European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium Report: Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium

Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."

Learn more

Work authorization

From Investment to EU Residence: Why Italy’s Investor Visa is Gaining Momentum

Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Have a Canadian Great-Great Grandparent? It Could Make You Canadian.

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Features in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026

Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.

Learn more

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