Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Australia
Reload this Page >

Migration Specialists

Migration Specialists

Old Sep 8th 2003, 11:31 am
  #1  
New South Welshie
Thread Starter
 
<")))><'s Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Up in the Hills
Posts: 282
<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold
Question 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,
<")))>< is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 11:43 am
  #2  
Non-addicted member!
 
garrisondamn's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Location: Nelson, New Zealand
Posts: 343
garrisondamn will become famous soon enoughgarrisondamn will become famous soon enough
Default 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.
garrisondamn is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 11:44 am
  #3  
HUP
Brain Drained
 
HUP's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,882
HUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond reputeHUP has a reputation beyond repute
Default 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
HUP is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 11:52 am
  #4  
New South Welshie
Thread Starter
 
<")))><'s Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Up in the Hills
Posts: 282
<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold
Default 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
<")))>< is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 12:49 pm
  #5  
BE Forum Addict
 
debsy's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2003
Location: GC
Posts: 3,353
debsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to alldebsy is a name known to all
Default 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
debsy is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 12:59 pm
  #6  
BE Forum Addict
 
cadman's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Hot sunny Cairns !
Posts: 1,012
cadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of lightcadman is a glorious beacon of light
Default 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.
cadman is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 1:09 pm
  #7  
BE Forum Addict
 
karawara88's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Going Home
Posts: 1,215
karawara88 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

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
karawara88 is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 1:10 pm
  #8  
New South Welshie
Thread Starter
 
<")))><'s Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Up in the Hills
Posts: 282
<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold
Default 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.
<")))>< is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 1:18 pm
  #9  
Adelaide here we come
 
kittenlips's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 165
kittenlips is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

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

kittenlips is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 5:28 pm
  #10  
earlswood
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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
 
Old Sep 8th 2003, 5:35 pm
  #11  
Don
Banned
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,613
Don is an unknown quantity at this point
Default

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.
Don is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 6:18 pm
  #12  
New South Welshie
Thread Starter
 
<")))><'s Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Up in the Hills
Posts: 282
<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold<")))>< is a splendid one to behold
Default

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

Fantastic !! Many thanks.
<")))>< is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 7:41 pm
  #13  
BE Forum Addict
 
r.bartlett's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: newbury
Posts: 1,015
r.bartlett has a brilliant futurer.bartlett has a brilliant futurer.bartlett has a brilliant futurer.bartlett has a brilliant futurer.bartlett has a brilliant futurer.bartlett has a brilliant future
Default

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
r.bartlett is offline  
Old Sep 8th 2003, 11:21 pm
  #14  
Migration Agent
 
Joined: May 2002
Location: Offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Geelong (Australia), and Southampton (UK)
Posts: 6,459
Alan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond reputeAlan Collett has a reputation beyond repute
Default

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.
Alan Collett is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.