Agents?
 

Hi all, I'm simply curious to know how many of us here actually use/d agents for our Australian or New Zealand migration applications.

Cheers,
Peter

Re: Agents?
 

From personal experience i wish i had saved the £2500 i paid to 4 Corners and done it myself. The forms are a bit complicated at times and if, like me, you had a huge work history to get ref's on (hubbie is self emp carpneter) then it takes time and patience but have found that the only person interested in me getting PR is me! I think they take the money, get the forms in and then stick it on a shelf for a few years to gather dust. I would suggest monitoring them closely!

Nicky 'I'm not bitter!'

Re: Agents?
 

Nicky,

£2500 is quite a bit to part with!

Peter

Re: Agents?
 

Yes!
Alot of money for not alot of work as far as i can see. Could there be a career out there for me!??

Re: Agents?
 

Indeed. You're absolutely right when you said earlier that at the end of it all, you are the only one who has the most enthusiasm and interest in the whole process. And who can blame you? That's your future, and not to mention 2,500 quid!

Some agents, I would like to think, are much better than others. The ones who participate (I shall not mention names for fear of accusations of advertising on their behalf!) in this forum seem to be worth the pounds or dollars they charge.

I guess after going through the skills assessment and the actual filling up of the forms basically on their own (despite shelling out a bomb for 'professional services'), you won't be parting with those cash that easily the next time round, if there is one.

Picking a good migration agent is an art as much as it is based on luck.

Peter

Re: Agents?
 

How much?? I shall have to put my fees up ...!

As an accountant I've been asked lots of times "Do I need an accountant to help me with my Tax Return?" And as a Migration Agent, "Do I need the help of an Agent to help with my visa application?"

There are strong parallels between the two: if you are comfortable completing the factual content of the forms and have a grasp of the main concepts then you are probably OK.

However, there are a lot of ambiguous areas in tax and migration laws, and it impacts on those who haven't studied the subjects in depth when they are filling in certain parts of the forms - particularly for some of the skills assessment applications (notably RPL for the IT people). That's where many people start to feel a little uncertain about what they are expected to say, and wonder whether they should use someone who has seen it all before.

Didn't someone once say that professions were a conspiracy against the masses ...??

Regards to all.

Re: Agents?
 

Alan,

I was equally shocked. The digits were ok, but the pound sign killed it. Anyway, I'll be glad I did no direct advertising on your behalf if you chose to "re-examine your present fee structure to re-align it with current market-driven forces in light of relevations that your existing fee regime is incompatible with the long-term goal of providing top class service to your clients" :)

Cheers,
Peter

Re: Agents?
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Alan Collett:
How much?? I shall have to put my fees up ...!




not just yet alan or does my quote stand lol
shaun

Re: Agents?
 

Hi,Did,nt pay as much as you but probably came to the same conclusions.My agent when contacted sounds like someone who had been earning easy money out of peoples lack of knowledge but now finds that because of sites like this he needs to work harder to keep up with the game.I sometimes feel that I have to force information out of him and unfortunatly we feel that he`s part of the problem.Whether his fault or the embassy`s the majority of advise has been wrong and I`d have been happier making my own mistakes.PS I have only phoned him 4 times in 16 monthsl

Re: Agents?
 

Nicky, Those fees are "off the planet" but wether to use an Agent or not is a
personal one but the Immigration Law is considerably more complex than a lot of
people are aware of, however that is not to say many applicants cannot complete it
themselves, but one mistake and it's crunch time, as far as the "sticking it on a
shelf for a few years to gather dust" as you would accept there is a period of
"limbo" that is unavoidable as unfortunate as it is. Thank goodness not all Agents
are as you describe. Regards

Rob Edwards
www.australianaustralia.com

"NickyTurner" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > From personal experience i wish i had saved the £2500 i paid to 4 Corners and done
    > it myself. The forms are a bit complicated at times and if, like me, you had a huge
    > work history to get ref's on (hubbie is self emp carpneter) then it takes time and
    > patience but have found that the only person interested in me getting PR is me! I
    > think they take the money, get the forms in and then stick it on a shelf for a few
    > years to gather dust. I would suggest monitoring them closely!
    > Nicky 'I'm not bitter!'
    > Originally posted by ptlabs:
    > > Hi all, I'm simply curious to know how many of us here actually use/d agents for
    > > our Australian or New Zealand migration applications.
    > >
    > > Cheers,
    > Peter
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Re: Agents?
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jockney:
.My agent when contacted sounds like someone who had been earning easy money out of peoples lack of knowledge QUOTE]

'Ear 'Ear,i think you've commented before Jockney when I last slated my agent.
He seems more interested in writing for a certain emigration paper than dealing with 'strangers'
And while he's at it,he really should work on that limp wristed handshake-gaylord

Re: Agents?
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by baldbutts:
Yes you`ve got him.Good to know that I`m not imagining things.Still at least your sorted us next I hope!If you ever visit or work in adelaide the beers are on me!

Re: Agents?
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by baldbutts:
whoops that was me who replied Idid`nt realise the ball and chain was logged on.

Re: Agents?
 

I used an agent *GO MATILDA* as I was only going to be able to afford one shot at this, and although my application was reasonably straight forward, it was nice to know that it was going to be done professionaly by a competant agent :) Thanks John :)

Yvonne :)

4 :eek: days til we leave, 6 til we arrive. WATCH OUT MELBOURNE <~~~ see he did his job well :)

Re: Agents?
 

Money for old rope. I was Quoted £3000=VAT+Medicals+Immigration Fees...If the fees
were more reasonable I think more people would use agents.

Re: Agents?
 

crunch time?


"Robert Edwards" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > Nicky, Those fees are "off the planet" but wether to use an Agent or not is a
    > personal one but the Immigration Law is considerably more complex than a
lot
    > of people are aware of, however that is not to say many applicants cannot complete
    > it themselves, but one mistake and it's crunch time, as far as
the
    > "sticking it on a shelf for a few years to gather dust" as you would
accept
    > there is a period of "limbo" that is unavoidable as unfortunate as it is. Thank
    > goodness not all Agents are as you describe. Regards
    > Rob Edwards
    > www.australianaustralia.com
    > "NickyTurner" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > > From personal experience i wish i had saved the £2500 i paid to 4 Corners and
    > > done it myself. The forms are a bit complicated at times and if, like me, you had
    > > a huge work history to get ref's on (hubbie is self emp carpneter) then it takes
    > > time and patience but have found that the only person interested in me getting PR
    > > is me! I think they take the money, get the forms in and then stick it on a shelf
    > > for a few years to gather dust. I would suggest monitoring them closely!
    > >
    > > Nicky 'I'm not bitter!'
    > >
    > >
    > > Originally posted by ptlabs:
    > > > Hi all, I'm simply curious to know how many of us here actually use/d agents
    > > > for our Australian or New Zealand migration applications.
    > > >
    > > > Cheers,
    > > Peter
    > >
    > > --
    > > Posted via http://britishexpats.com
    > >

Re: Agents?
 

Sorry..."crunch time" means the time when the axe falls.

"dennisvr" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > crunch time?
    > "Robert Edwards" <[email protected]> wrote in message [url="news:all9e-[/q1]
[q1]> [email protected]"]news:[email protected][-
    > /url]...
    > > Nicky, Those fees are "off the planet" but wether to use an Agent or not is a
    > > personal one but the Immigration Law is considerably more complex than a
    > lot
    > > of people are aware of, however that is not to say many applicants
cannot
    > > complete it themselves, but one mistake and it's crunch time, as far as
    > the
    > > "sticking it on a shelf for a few years to gather dust" as you would
    > accept
    > > there is a period of "limbo" that is unavoidable as unfortunate as it
is.
    > > Thank goodness not all Agents are as you describe.

Re: Agents?
 

3000 Pound for VAT+Medicals+Immigration fees.......you mean "Aplication Fees" I
suppose .....then if Agent's Fees are included in this figure you probably did
alright, be interested in your Visa category and the actual Agent's Fee if you wish
to divulge please.

Rob

"Steve Williams" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > Money for old rope. I was Quoted £3000=VAT+Medicals+Immigration Fees...If the fees
    > were more reasonable I think more people would use agents.

Re: Agents?
 

We paid approx £2,400 to Four Corners, then on top of that was all the lodgment fees/ form fees, then we still have medicals and police checks etc on top. Cannot see what they have done for their money personally as most of the info i have found out has been through this web site, other web sites and personal contacts. I wish i had looked around first. I wish i had used someone like Alan who seems to actually a/ know what he's banging on about and b/ give a s*** about people lives.

Nicky

Re: Agents?
 

Well,

I knew people say it is not such a good idea to do it, I heard a lot about it, but due to the importance of the matter I contracted an agent in Sydney, that for A$ 3500 helped us to fill in our spouse visa application.

He sounded quite professional and had good manners. He went through the whole application and details, and gave good common sense advice. He posted our application to DIMIA using a courier.

Four months later, from a call I gave to the DIMIA processing office overseas I just found that they never received the application, and that the Agent dissapeared from his office in Syndey.

After a month struggling to find this agent we luckily managed to get to him, and he finally sent the application. We have been dealyed 4 months in our process of getting our visa. And the agent witholded all the documents, pictures, etc, plus the application that took a few months to be set up.

It has been a frustrating experience, and very shocking. I just wanted to advice to anyone hiring an agent to be extra cautious, and to follow up every single step closely to make
sure things are happening as they should.

I think that a good agent would be a great help, and a stress relief. But I also think that not many agents can be really trusted, and that most seem to take more care in the money that in the lifes people put in their hands.


:(

Re: Agents?
 

I'm just about to submit my RPL application to ACS, and as people have said here, RPL is not the most straightforward of procedures, so I decided that I would employ the services of a migration agent.

I found one on the web (office is in Oz), contacted him and have found his knowledge and experience to be invaluable. In under 2 months, I have received 20 emails from him, guiding me along the mass of forms that need to be filled in, evidence required, employer references to obtain, etc.

I decided to use an agent not only because of the RPL aspect, but also because I need to get my visa application in (assuming I'm successful with the ACS RPL) before I turn 35 in January next year. Because of this, I cannot afford the time that would be wasted in the event that my application is missing vital documentation or has been incorrectly filled in.

He even provided 2 examples of successful RPL Skills Assessment application forms by way of an example of what is required. More often than not he will respond to my email with one working day, and on a couple of occasions I've emailed him from the UK at 9:00am (6:00pm Oz time), and have received a reply from him within 30 minutes. All documents I create are sent to him in draft form for his comments and/or approval.

Since the announcement by the ACS that assesment will now be liable to 6 years work experince, he has become more efficient in contacting me so that we can beat the Oct 1st deadline.

I realise not all agents are the same. I just got lucky I suppose, but I find that a good yardstick (albeit general and perhaps not 100% accurate) is the professional way in which a company's website is presented and the amount of info they provide on it. This is ultimately why I chose to go with them.

Cheers
Del

Re: Agents?
 

Yours is indeed a shocking situation ... and in my view should be reported to the MARA (the body that oversees the conduct of registered agents).

One way to improve the lot of future visa applicants is to make sure that those who are unprofessional and who fail to deliver on their promises within a reasonable timeframe are identified to the authorities so that they can be dealt with as necessary.

Best regards.

Re: Agents?
 

We recently used an agent (Concept Auastralia Manchester) cost £650 at the time but its nearer £1000 now, this is just for filling in the forms! If you think your application will be a problem use one. Applied in December 2000 going next month to Brisbane

Re: Agents?
 

That = should have been a + of course...and I'm not taking it up. "Robert Edwards"
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > 3000 Pound for VAT+Medicals+Immigration fees.......you mean "Aplication Fees" I
    > suppose .....then if Agent's Fees are included in this figure you probably did
    > alright, be interested in your Visa category and the actual Agent's Fee if you wish
    > to divulge please.
    > Rob
    > "Steve Williams" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > > Money for old rope. I was Quoted £3000=VAT+Medicals+Immigration Fees...If the
    > > fees were more reasonable I think more people would use agents.
    > >
    > >

Re: Agents?
 

Ooooooooh hang on while I lay down

"Steve Williams" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > That = should have been a + of course...and I'm not taking it up. "Robert Edwards"
    > <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > > 3000 Pound for VAT+Medicals+Immigration fees.......you mean "Aplication Fees" I
    > > suppose .....then if Agent's Fees are included in this figure
you
    > > probably did alright, be interested in your Visa category and the actual Agent's
    > > Fee if you wish to divulge please.
    > >
    > > Rob
    > >
    > > "Steve Williams" <[email protected]> wrote in message [url="news:103169-[/q2]
[q2]> > [email protected]"]news:[email protected][/u-
    > > rl]...
    > > > Money for old rope. I was Quoted £3000=VAT+Medicals+Immigration Fees...If the
    > > > fees were
more
    > > > reasonable I think more people would use agents.
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >

Re: Agents?
 

This sounds like a great game to get into , right you punters how much for a well used PR Visa one careful owner you will need to change your name by deed poll to Pommie bastard.
Any offers this is a once in a life time offer and will I also be setting up as an agent in UK soon .
Fees will be very reasonable let me show you the way to the land of plenty got to be worth a few quid hey.
If thats not in your league these are hard times , got a mate in Bali with a fishing boat does the odd trip to Aussie , very popular with them from the middle east.
So keep your chins up there is always hope , bleed and rob em imigration agents will in the market soon.
Getting the visa is easy what chance have you got , getting yourselfs sorted over here.
We will have an office over here too called ," robbed once try twice" .Some of you have called me a sad bastard , at least I got here on my own did not need any help , god I've got to stop laughing there is no hope for you lot.
:D :beer:

Re: Agents?
 

Confirms what I've always thought, that most of them are a bunch of con artists. maybe this forum should be renamed 'guillibleexpats.com'

Re: Agents?
 

Admittedly there have been a "few" and that is all comments about a few Agents maybe
overcharging and maybe not always keeping their paying clients informed but that
hardly equates to " that most of them are a bunch of con artists"

Rob Edwards
www.allaustralianwebsite.com


"BritboyNZ" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > Originally posted by Steve Williams:
    > > Money for old rope. I was Quoted £3000=VAT+Medicals+Immigration Fees...If the
    > > fees were more reasonable I think more people would use agents.
    > >
    > Confirms what I've always thought, that most of them are a bunch of con artists.
    > maybe this forum should be renamed 'guillibleexpats.com'
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Re: Agents?
 

That's far too sweeping a generalisation. I'm not going to defend overcharging (however that might be defined - you can always shop around) or an unprofessional approach, but you should be careful about tarring all with the same brush on the basis of your personal experiences - how many agents have you met or dealt with exactly?

Best regards.

Re: Agents?
 

You're not quite good with statistics, are you?

If you check the stats, you will realize that even for this poll, almost 50% of the respondents did not engage a migration agent for their applications. So, how can you generalize everyone on this forum as being gullible? Or are you just being naive about it?

Peter

Re: Agents?
 

Most agents were fairly evasive about how much in total one could pay for their services. Experience and careful probing (ooh err) has shown that a lot of those that advertise in say 'Australia News' seem to charge in the region of £2000 - £3000 so don't feel too bad if you're in this range.

It's an investment in your future after all.

Cheers,

MAX

Re: Agents?
 

I paid an agent as I was only to have one shot at getting it right ! Call me gullible if you want, I answer to most names :)

My agent got it right, and yes admittedly I could have done it on my own, but peace of mind is worth it for me. I was not ripped off, I paid £400 + vat (spouse visa) and I feel the service I got was more than adequate (obviously as visa is in passport) and I had a greta laugh with the agent along the way.

Yvonne :)

2 :eek: days til we leave, 4 til we arrive. WATCH OUT MELBOURNE

Re: Agents?
 

NZBritBoy

As it has been said many times before me,... lets not tar them all with the same brush ok!

Yvonne :)

2 :eek: days til we leave, 4 til we arrive. WATCH OUT MELBOURNE

Re: Agents?
 

I agree with Yvonne. We also used an agent even though, looking back, we could have done it ourselves. But, it was comforting to know that we gave it our best shot and this made the 17 month wait for our visas a bit more bareable. As far as I'm concerned it was 600 quid well spent.

Claire
xx

Re: Agents?
 

I am sure you did have a great laugh with the agent and hes smiling all the way to the bank.
Now this looks good 400 x say 3000 mugs loads a dosh UK here I come , Pommie will be rich in less than a year.
My mate is setting up a company here to sort out you good people with all your needs when you get here called "let me empty your pockets" a fool and his money are soon parted.
Good luck to you I am sure you will need it.




:D :beer:

Re: Agents?
 

Anyone else wants to vote on this?

Peter

Re: Agents?
 

Dear All,

Glad I used an agent for the forms but hate feeling like i'm wasting his valuable time if I phone, especially as it is very rare.

Considering that I am paying him for his time and help with my application, the ever so condescending attitude I get from him is annoying.

He must be one of the few who "gets something for doing nothing".

Shelly

Re: Agents?
 

Hmmm... that's a very negative attitude for a migration agent, who should be aware that customer service is part and parcel of the job. Care to identify who this "do-not-disturb-thy-agent-after-thou-payeth" agent is?


Peter