Use An Agent Or Apply For Visa Independently????
 

My husband and I want to apply for a skilled visa, should we use an agent or is it easy to apply independently?

Could anybody out there give me some advice. Thanks so much.

michelle

Michelle,

To use an agent or not is dependant on how easy or complicated your application is likely to be. The things you have to consider are:

- Work experience, will a skills assessment be easy or complicated (what does the main applicant do)
- Children, do you have any, ages?, are there step kids, previous marriages etc that could complicate things
- How much work (reading and research) and worry you are prepared to do yourself, please don't underestimate the process because it can be stressful

And a whole heap of other things:D

We are using George Lombard as an agent (http://www.austimmigration.com.au) who uses this site as well as has been great so far and is reasonably priced too. Send me a PM and I will give you his contact details if you want.

The first thing I would do is got to http://www.immi.gov.au and start researching the whole process, do the points score etc etc and then see how you feel:)

Good luck

Re: Use An Agent Or Apply For Visa Independently????
 

Hi Michelle,

My husband and I thought about a migration agent but when we actually looked through the forms they weren't so daunting after all!

We thought about our case and realised that we didn't have any problems obtaining all the information required so just went for it.

My advice would be have a good look through the form and accompanying notes and if you are really stuck then maybe consider using an agent. We were granted our visa at the beginning of the month so did ok!

Good luck

Re: Use An Agent Or Apply For Visa Independently????
 

Hi Michelle,

If you feel confident enough to go ahead with you application on your own then i would suggest not using an agent.

I, myself will shortly be appointing an agent (GoMatilda) as we feel that we would be more comfortable dealing with our application that way. it is a little more expensive but if you can afford an agent, then go for it.

if you have any further questions then please do ask

regards

Rob

There may be some truth in saying that applications done by agents tend to be quicker? We didn't use one and are still waiting for our visa . . .any day now?? Others on here who had medicals posted off at about the same time have had their visa's now.

Mummy:(

I used an agent, Ian Harrop and Associates. A guy called Zeno Bolzicco was my man, what a top all round dude he is to.

I was a difficult case, as is always the case :D :cool: :D so the money for me was well worth it. It all depends on how easy it may be to get you through.

My hurdle was with the TRA (as is most peoples) but I was a Weapons Technician in the RAF and so translating that into civvy terms was the difficulty. I knew it would be and so Zeno pointed me in the right direction and through it all went.

Top man Zeno........

My wife will be assessed for her work experience by AIM, to which i am told that they are very strict so will be taking advice shortly from an agent.

Rob

Yawn her comes my two peneth.:o


I would say use an agent if you have a busy life they will check your skill assessment and your application to the DIMIA they will help in many ways with Stat Decs and all the other myriad of forms you will have to fill out.
Don¡¦t whatever you do go with the first agent that looks flashy shop around search the board for agents see who others have used and there comments.
Try some of the lesser known agents available www.amblercollins.com in my case have been more than first class although they are not MARA agents, a lot of agents will tell you have to be MARA approved you don¡¦t!
I must say another point is many agents are far busier than they appear when you speak to them on your introductory phone call I got sucked in and lost money and I could never get hold of the agent for advise, some also forget that you are make a life changing decision and may need to talk over the smallest point. With Ambler they are a busy company but will always return your call if you don¡¦t end up speaking on your first call and don¡¦t mind even the stupidest questions.
Lastly UK based is better no good having to wait up till the middle of the night to talk over that very crucial point with your agent. Some agents have offices here and in Oz but again why phone the UK office for them then to pass the message on to your font of all knowledge who is already based in the land of milk and honey:rolleyes:
If you are good with forms and have plenty of time and a decent internet connection then DIY all the information is on the relevant web sites including all the forms. Use this board a lot cos all the questions u have, have already been asked (mostly by me)¡K¡Kƒº

Good Luck.

Uni Nige`


:cool:

Re: Use An Agent Or Apply For Visa Independently????
 

If you are a confident form filler...I'd say do it yourselve and save the money...
:)