We are looking into moving to Australia but I am finding it hard to decide which migration agent to use. I have been told in the past to use one based in Oz not the UK as generaly they are better. There also seems to be a big difference in the fees they charge.
Can anyone give us advice on how to chose a good one that won't rip us off?
Is it even worth using one, how easy is the process?
Any other advise or useful sources of informaton would be gratefuly received. Ta lots
2007-06-06 05:13:03 · 6 answers · asked by Big Rich 1 in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Other - Australia
I'm actually a registered igration agent and no, we're not all in the business of ripping people off. I'm not here to advertise - just to advise you.
Before you choose an agent in Australia, you should always check that they are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority - website below. The MARA won't give you advice on who to use but at least you can check out the register of agents, visit their websites etc. and make up your own mind. The MARA also publishes a list of the range of fees you can expect to be charged depending on which type of visa you are applying for.
Many agents offer free consultations and some offer free online assessments. Some agents also have a 'no-win, no-fee' policy so that if your visa is rejected, you don't pay the agent's fees (although you will lose your visa application fee).
The other posters are right to say that if your application is straightforward you can often go through the process easily enough yourself by following the guidelines on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website (details below) but many people choose agents because they either don't have the time or the knowledge to go through the process by themselves.
Hope this helps - best of luck with your application!
2007-06-10 00:49:14 · answer #1 · answered by GM 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you even think about migration agents, go to the web page of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship at http://www.immi.gov.au . The site is very helpful and explains all the procedures for migration. All the forms you need are online. If you do it all yourself, which is quite possible, you will pay only those fees required by the Government. Take your time, fill out the forms accurately and see how you go.
I would consider a migration agent only if I had real difficulty doing it myself. Most people find the Department's site is all they need. I wish you luck, this is a great country and you won't regret the move.
2007-06-06 11:43:19 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're all rip offs I think. We spoke to a few & they wanted to charge $75 to talk to us to see if they COULD help us.. My bf is moving over here from the UK... Depending on what grounds you're looking at moving over here, you most likely could do the whole thing by yourself. If you must use one, email them & ask for how much they charge before you get a consultation 'coz once you go to talk to them, they may charge... We spoke to one when we were deciding whether to use an agent or not & I think he said it would be about $4000.. But on top of that, you need to apply, which can be around $2000 plus, you need to have a certain amount of funds in your bank account before you even think of going anywhere near immigration... Not a cheap thing to do trust me!!!
Easy?? Um... the process is a long one... We're applying for a spouse visa, & it took 2 months to hear anything from them before we got our first interview, then 4 months after that to find out if we got through to the next stage. We're now waiting for our 2 years to be up before we have to go & have another interview...
Hope this helped... Good Luck!!
2007-06-06 05:24:15 · answer #3 · answered by Lizzy309 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you one to not use. Australain Migration Specialists.
They charged A$3800, and my application failed. and to be fair never really was gonna be accepted, but they said it wouldn`t be a problem.
Ive since done the application myself. I didn`t find it too difficult, but then it depends on what visa your after.
I got a de facto visa, thru my australian girlfriend. but i think work visas are harder to get..
If you`ve not had a working holiday visa for oz, mght be worth getting 1 of them, then going over and trying to get sponsorship once there. Once your on there soil they deal with everything much quicker.
2007-06-06 06:51:36 · answer #4 · answered by meatloaf 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES ! - you CAN do everything yourself.
You will have to do a bit of reading / research thought so here are some useful websites for you :::::
http://www.australia.gov.au
http://www.immi.gov.au
http://www.livingin-australia.com
http://www.immigrationinfoaustralia.com
Working in Aussie:
http://www.workingin-australia.com
http://www.workpermit.com/australia/relocation.htm
Becoming an Australian Citizenship
http://www.citizenship.gov.au
Good Luck with it all.
2007-06-06 13:22:52 · answer #5 · answered by • Koala • uʍop ɹǝpun 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Memo, i do no longer comprehend of any respected immigration company, no longer that i've got ever had the ought to come across one. the only ones right here different than the government.companies do no longer tend to have a great popularity so be careful in spite of you come to a decision to do. Goodluck Seagull.
2017-01-10 16:17:10 · answer #6 · answered by helfer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋