British Expats

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Australia (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/)
-   -   Migration Specialists (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/migration-specialists-177025/)

<")))>< Sep 8th 2003 11:31 am

Migration Specialists
 
We would welcome any advice / guidance as to which migration agent to use from the UK. We live in the South of England and there is quite a choice, even if we used the ones outside of London.

There must be an element of personal preference involved, but I noticed the price can vary considerably too. Why is this? Is that down to MARA registration?

Also, I read that some people have made the move without an agent. Your thoughts for / against would be great.

Thanks,

garrisondamn Sep 8th 2003 11:43 am

Re: Migration Specialists
 

Originally posted by <")))><
We would welcome any advice / guidance as to which migration agent to use from the UK. We live in the South of England and there is quite a choice, even if we used the ones outside of London.

There must be an element of personal preference involved, but I noticed the price can vary considerably too. Why is this? Is that down to MARA registration?

Also, I read that some people have made the move without an agent. Your thoughts for / against would be great.

Thanks,
Rich & Kate, we used Malcolm Pacific. Why?

They said based on the info given by us, they guarantee success or money back.
They gave us confidence in a major league decision.

On the down-side they are very expensive (I think)
I was borderline in the General skill cat. so we opted to use an agent instead of going it alone. They were very professional, kept in contact regularly, generally did a wonderfull job!

Okay, you can argue, if you got the points go it alone & save your money. I would probably say yeah, but talk to someone who has done it!
I was borderline because they points were fluctuating that much at the time, we had to be spot on when to submit, plus other small complications.
All I can say is they were excellent! and I'm writing this from Nelson New Zealand, so there ya go.

Good luck.

HUP Sep 8th 2003 11:44 am

Re: Migration Specialists
 
Hi if you use the search facilities and type in something like "using an agent" then you should pick up a few threads on this. Also if you have some agent names then try them in the search as well. Also quite often you can find out about individuals in the agencies. Heres one thread to get you started though

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...t=use+an+agent

<")))>< Sep 8th 2003 11:52 am

Re: Migration Specialists
 

Originally posted by HUP
Hi if you use the search facilities and type in something like "using an agent" then you should pick up a few threads on this. Also if you have some agent names then try them in the search as well. Also quite often you can find out about individuals in the agencies. Heres one thread to get you started though

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...t=use+an+agent

Thats great, thanks

debsy Sep 8th 2003 12:49 pm

Re: Migration Specialists
 

Originally posted by <")))><
We would welcome any advice / guidance as to which migration agent to use from the UK. We live in the South of England and there is quite a choice, even if we used the ones outside of London.

There must be an element of personal preference involved, but I noticed the price can vary considerably too. Why is this? Is that down to MARA registration?

Also, I read that some people have made the move without an agent. Your thoughts for / against would be great.

Thanks,
It is entirely up to you if you choose to use an agent. Many people on this forum have gone it alone and got their visas without any trouble. We chose to use an agent based in Brisbane who have been really great - they never seem to get fed up with all the questions we have. There are many agents that post on this forum such as Alan Collett and George Lombard and people speak highly of them.


Personally I would not choose and agent that is not Mara/Mia registered. We thought that we only had one shot at this and we wanted to do it properly so we figured the agents would know better than us - and we are a bit lazy!!

If you want any details about my agent - send me a Pm
debs
:D

cadman Sep 8th 2003 12:59 pm

Re: Migration Specialists
 

Originally posted by garrisondamn
Rich & Kate, we used Malcolm Pacific. Why?

They said based on the info given by us, they guarantee success or money back.
They gave us confidence in a major league decision.

On the down-side they are very expensive (I think)
I was borderline in the General skill cat. so we opted to use an agent instead of going it alone. They were very professional, kept in contact regularly, generally did a wonderfull job!

Okay, you can argue, if you got the points go it alone & save your money. I would probably say yeah, but talk to someone who has done it!
I was borderline because they points were fluctuating that much at the time, we had to be spot on when to submit, plus other small complications.
All I can say is they were excellent! and I'm writing this from Nelson New Zealand, so there ya go.

Good luck.

Ditto for us, we're borderline, skilled sponsored designated area for Oz and our agent Parris & Shah who are based in Sydney basically guarantee success if you have given them all the right info and not lied about anything (as if I would!). Very comprehensive assessment before saying we should get in, all of this before we even hired them. Someone else on this forum is using them also.
As I'm 35 we decided it was now or never and didn't want to mess it up and have to wait to apply again, we wanted it sorted first time.

karawara88 Sep 8th 2003 1:09 pm

Save your money and do it yourself, if you read the application, answer the questions and supply the documentation you cant go wrong.

If you want an agent it might be better and cheaper to use an Ozzie based one as in Australia all agents must be registered with Migration Agents Registration Authority. For a list look on http://www.movingdownunder.co.uk/fil...ntagencies.php

<")))>< Sep 8th 2003 1:10 pm

Re: Migration Specialists
 

Originally posted by cadman
As I'm 35 we decided it was now or never and didn't want to mess it up and have to wait to apply again, we wanted it sorted first time.

That's exactly why I want to use an agent. People on here say that its just lining the pockets of people for minimum effort and I understand that. However, borderline is borderline.....and if funds are tight then you don't want to mess it up, however many times you check the forms. I'd always blame myself if things went wrong.

To me, the fact that an agent will let me know before the ordeal begins whether or not I can expect success means more than the hole in my pocket after taking his fee. I'm not good with administrative things........I makes lists of lists and cross things off even though they haven't actually been done. Nightmare.....so I need all the help I can get. :o

kittenlips Sep 8th 2003 1:18 pm

Hi There!

We are using Ian Harrop and Associates who are based in Burford, but I think they have an office in London somewhere as well.

So far they have been great with helping us through the paperwork etc. But they just help you with the trade assessments/visa applications. Everything else you have to sort yourself, but they do give recommendations for everything, e.g. removal firms, pet shippers etc.

Their fees are pretty good in comparison with other agencies, about £1,200.

Definitely recommend them!!!

Good luck

Theresa

;)

earlswood Sep 8th 2003 5:28 pm

Rich & Kate,

You wouldn't go far wrong with Go Matilda (Alan Collett). He has an office down south somewhere (I think Southampton) and get a great deal of recognition and praise on this site.

Earlswooc

Don Sep 8th 2003 5:35 pm


Originally posted by earlswood
Rich & Kate,

You wouldn't go far wrong with Go Matilda (Alan Collett). He has an office down south somewhere (I think Southampton) and get a great deal of recognition and praise on this site.

Earlswooc
Yep, Alan Collett has gone missing in action from this part of the forum the last few weeks but will make his comeback SOON (hi Alan!) and has many a happy customer (not us, we went with a NZ agent).

Just post him a message from the GoMatilda site contact and I think you'll be happy with the fee + outcome.

<")))>< Sep 8th 2003 6:18 pm


Just post him a message from the GoMatilda site contact and I think you'll be happy with the fee + outcome.

Fantastic !! Many thanks.

r.bartlett Sep 8th 2003 7:41 pm

i have used an migration agent but as mentioned before i can only recommend those who have given info freely on this site

pick one of these guy's and you won't go far wrong

cheers

richard

Alan Collett Sep 8th 2003 11:21 pm

Hello Don - don't worry I'm still here!

Most of the technical questions re visas and tax are on the other Aussie migration forum, so you'll mostly find me over there these days ...

Best regards.




Originally posted by pleasancefamily
Yep, Alan Collett has gone missing in action from this part of the forum the last few weeks but will make his comeback SOON (hi Alan!) and has many a happy customer (not us, we went with a NZ agent).

Just post him a message from the GoMatilda site contact and I think you'll be happy with the fee + outcome.


All times are GMT. The time now is 4:50 pm.

Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.