By Madhab Kharel · Updated 25 October 2026

Form 1399 collects service history relevant to visa or citizenship assessment. It can require more than the dates on a military discharge certificate.

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What service needs attention?

The form asks about military service, including compulsory service and explanations for not serving where conscription existed. It also asks about other military, paramilitary, security, intelligence, police or secret police service and roles at detention centres, prisons or transit camps. Read each question; do not reduce the form to a single question about paid military employment.

Prepare a chronological record

Identify dates, units, ranks, duties, locations and supervisory details from reliable records. The form calls for documents and translations where applicable. If a record cannot be obtained, explain what is missing and the steps taken. Avoid inventing precision or using a broad job title that conceals the actual role.

Check consistency and the response deadline

Compare the account with previous visa forms, citizenship applications and police or military records. Explain differences instead of silently changing the history. Where the Department has requested Form 1399, respond through the specified channel by the stated date or address any extension request promptly. Completing the form does not resolve every possible character issue.

Before you proceed: a practical checklist

• Service, discharge or exemption documents and translations.
• A complete timeline of duties, organisations and locations.
• The Department request and relevant earlier application answers.

Use the latest Department instructions and retain a complete copy of what you provide. If a date is uncertain or a document is missing, explain the issue rather than giving an unsupported answer.

Related guide: Read the connected form or process guide.

The Emigrate Lawyers Difference

We look beyond a completed PDF to the legal issue it needs to address. Before accepting work, we confirm how the request relates to your circumstances and whether it falls within our scope.

• Lawyer-led assessment: advice connects the facts, supporting evidence and relevant immigration requirements.
• Clear scope and fees: where a fixed fee is quoted, the agreed work and exclusions are recorded in writing. There are no monthly administration fees for that agreed service.
• Evidence checked in context: we identify gaps, inconsistent records and matters needing explanation.
• Practical communication: you understand the proposed next step and what we need from you. Any additional work is discussed before the scope changes.

Our process

1. Understand the request. Send the complete notice, relevant history and any stated deadline so we can identify the issue.
2. Confirm the pathway and scope. We assess the relevant process and explain the work, fees and responsibilities before proceeding.
3. Prepare and check. We help organise evidence within the agreed scope, address inconsistencies and ask you to confirm the facts. Clinical, laboratory and official certifications must come from the appropriate professional or authority.
4. Submit and plan the next step. We confirm the agreed submission responsibilities, keep the relevant record and explain any further action covered by the engagement.

Discuss your circumstances

Contact Emigrate Lawyers or call 1300 807 134. If you have a refusal, cancellation or deadline approaching, use our urgent visa enquiry pathway and provide the notice and stated deadline. An enquiry does not extend a deadline.

Official sources

Checked 25 October 2026. Always follow the current form, relevant program page and any instructions issued for your matter.

• Department of Home Affairs — Form 1399 (PDF)

Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. It does not take account of your individual circumstances and does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Laws, forms, fees and procedures can change. Obtain advice about your circumstances before acting. No visa outcome, review outcome or processing timeframe is guaranteed. Sending an enquiry does not mean the firm has accepted instructions or agreed to meet a deadline.