Melani Koullapis

Director, Sydney Inbound

Melani Koullapis

Photo of Melani Koullapis
Melani Koullapis
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Director, Sydney Inbound

Melani Koullapis

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  • AustraliaAustralia

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  • English
  • Greek

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[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

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  • English
  • Greek

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[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

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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

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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
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

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Learn more

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Awards

Fragomen named “Law Firm of the Year” for Immigration Law by Best Law Firms™ - Australia

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Media mentions

USA Today: USCIS Green Card Announcement Spurs Confusion. What to Know

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The Associated Press: Trump’s Latest Immigration Move Clouds the Path to Green Cards

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Learn more

Media mentions

The Wall Street Journal: What to Know About the Trump Administration’s New Green Card Policy

Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses a recent USCIS memo that appears to signal greater caution in how adjudicators assess adjustment of status cases rather than establishing a new legal standard.

Learn more

Blog post

Immigration and Employment in Chile: Legal Requirements for Foreign Workers

Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: New UKVI compliance metrics for universities take effect today

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

EU Inc. Signals a Shift: Why Immigration Will Matter to Europe’s New Corporate Agenda 

Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.

Learn more

Video

Less Than Two Weeks: FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown | #MobilityMinute

With less than two weeks until the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster outlines important visa and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US, Canada and Mexico.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: Companionship Scheme Addresses Loneliness Among Elderly as UAE Population Ages

Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.

Learn more

Blog post

Business Immigration After the Midterms (Part 1): What to Expect No Matter What

Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes how post‑midterm US business immigration will shift toward heightened enforcement, worker‑protection scrutiny and cross‑agency oversight, urging employers to align hiring practices, sponsorship decisions and documentation with consistent, defensible workforce strategies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: Trump’s Green Card Memo Dropped Before a Holiday Weekend. Immigration Lawyers Say Clients Panicked.

Counsel Brian Hunt said employers quickly sought clarity after a USCIS memo on green card adjustment of status raised questions about immigration timelines, work continuity and travel planning.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen named “Law Firm of the Year” for Immigration Law by Best Law Firms™ - Australia

Fragomen is named “Law Firm of the Year” for Immigration Law by Best Law Firms™ - Australia and receives National and Regional Tier 1 rankings in Immigration Law.

Learn more

Media mentions

USA Today: USCIS Green Card Announcement Spurs Confusion. What to Know

Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses the broad application of a USCIS memo to adjustment of status applicants and notes that H- and L-visa holders may have a somewhat easier burden in demonstrating factors that support favorable discretion.

Learn more

Blog post

Commonwealth Games 2026 Travel Planning: UK ETA Rules for Teams and Fans

Senior Manager Alice Spaull and Associate Stephanie Fitton examine the evolving UK immigration and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for athletes, their support teams and associated guests attending the Commonwealth Games 2026, highlighting key compliance risks and the importance of early travel planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Associated Press: Trump’s Latest Immigration Move Clouds the Path to Green Cards

Partner Kevin Miner discusses the expected impact of new USCIS green card guidance on employment-based immigration, noting dual-intent visa cases would likely continue under business as usual with no significant impact.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Wall Street Journal: What to Know About the Trump Administration’s New Green Card Policy

Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses a recent USCIS memo that appears to signal greater caution in how adjudicators assess adjustment of status cases rather than establishing a new legal standard.

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Important Updates
Important Updates
May 29, 2026 | BermudaBermuda: New Work Permit Policy to Prolong Processing Times
June 1, 2026 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Advances Overhaul of Provincial Nominee Program
June 1, 2026 | PortugalPortugal: Immigration Agency Strike Affects Immigration Processing
June 1, 2026 | United KingdomThe PIE: New UKVI compliance metrics for universities take effect today
June 1, 2026 | VietnamVietnam: Pre-Arrival Declaration Requirement
May 29, 2026 | BermudaBermuda: New Work Permit Policy to Prolong Processing Times
June 1, 2026 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Advances Overhaul of Provincial Nominee Program
June 1, 2026 | PortugalPortugal: Immigration Agency Strike Affects Immigration Processing
June 1, 2026 | United KingdomThe PIE: New UKVI compliance metrics for universities take effect today
June 1, 2026 | VietnamVietnam: Pre-Arrival Declaration Requirement
May 29, 2026 | BermudaBermuda: New Work Permit Policy to Prolong Processing Times
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