lucyb

We are going through 1st Contact, a London based migration agent. Does anyone have any experience of them? They seem really helpful. Only problem is, we are going for this new Visa, launching July 1...and it is all a bit manic and rushed as we only have enough points if we do it before my husband turns 30 on july 13!!! We only decided to emigrate 3 weeks ago after 4 years of heated debate! So we had to get the skills assessment of to Vetassess very quickly who said they would try and rush it through for us as this is our only chancel...apparently it can take up to 16 weeks normally.

SO whaddya think? Have we only got a snowballs chance in hell? I mean, 1st Contact wouldnt take us on unless we had at least a fighting chance would they?:scared:

Lucy

matt&sue

we used first contact and are just waiting for our passports to come back with the visas in we applied last july and found first contact really good they have a no visa no fee rule so i doubt they would take you on unless they think you have a good chance the agent that we had was called sharon donohue who done a great job. matt

phyonics

1st contact do seem to have a good reputation from previous posters on here.

Might be worth sounding out a couple of others if you're not sure. Before we started our application I emailed both George Lombard and Alan Collett and both were quite happy to answer my initial questions about migration without signing me up first.

George's website is austimmigration.com.au
Alan's is gomatilda.com

We chose George Lombard and he's doing an excellent job for us.

Cheers

Marko

Innyjim

Hi

Know nothing about 1st contact but our VETASSES assessment only took two weeks to come through as a Marketing Specialist and that was in February last year. Not sure how timeframes might have changed though......

Cheers
IJ

Alan Collett

Lucy,

Three comments:

- Make sure your appointed agent is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. I'm not saying those that aren't registered can't advise competently, but a MARA registered agent is required to maintain his or her professional competencies through attendance at courses, to ensure the work performed is carried out in accordance with a Code of Conduct, etc. The MARA's website is here: www.themara.com.au (search on agent name, or choose "Country" from the drop down menu and type United Kingdom).

- What exactly is your visa strategy? The new visa that is available from the 1st of July will require you to attain sponsorship from a State or Territory Government before you apply for the new Skilled Independent Regional visa, and so far as I know the procedures by which you can apply for sponsorship are not yet known. You might look at applying for a Skilled Independent visa, attain 110 points, and then await a letter from the Department of Immigration suggesting that you apply for the SIR visa - is this what is being suggested? Be aware too that it is possible the occupation you nominate will not be sponsored by a State or Territory Government - until they decide what occupations they want to sponsor we are all somewhat in the dark as to who can plan to move to Australia under this new visa class.

- With your time imperative it is my view you should ensure the result of your VETASSESS application is sent to an agent in Australia (and ideally in Melbourne, as that is where VETASSESS is located) so that the classification letter is on your agent's desk a day after it is issued by VETASSESS. Your visa application should also be on your agent's desk ready to despatch to the Skilled Processing Centre in Adelaide when the VETASSESS letter is received.

Have a read here for more information about the SIR visa:
http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=307

Finally, I guess it goes without saying that we will be delighted to help if you want any assistance with your plans - please feel able to contact my office in Southampton on 023 80 488777, and to ask for John Sylvester.

Best regards.

phyonics

Thanks Alan, its great to see agents posting on here and showing a general willingness to get involved.

Both you and George L. regularly do us proud

Marko