Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

?

Are they leeches, on peoples personal dreams ?

I can understand the use for Business migrants, but when it comes down to the everyday Joe.... how much do they charge and what is the point.... Why dont they post reguarly in the Barbie or the Australia forums... are they keeping a low profile on purpose.

Maybe I could become one... I know enough tradies here.... is there lots of money to be made ?

Come to Utopia 7.5 pct past me :sneaky:

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

We used Four Corners for the simple fact that i hate filling in forms and couldn't be arsed with it all.
I just sat back and relaxed:D

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

How much did that cost... and how did they get the information out of you... did you just have an interview ?

There wasnt any around when I migrated.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

We went to their offices just the once, talked aload of bull then let them do all the work. Cost us 4 grand. Sounds alot i know, but money wasn't an issue. They did all the chasing around, ringing up etc...we just had to get paperwork for our own business sorted which was easy.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Blimey !

My UK based Aussie daughter could do a damn good job at that ! Did they go into how much tax you would pay with your set of Visa requirements and medicare etc ?

I may start putting some real research into this area. My Apost job is looking slightly dodgy.


Do they claim a successful migration ratio rate ?

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

We didn't discuss Tax or medicare. Just did the point scoring , did a giant Trades recognition skill CV sort of thing, then they did the rest. Took 18 months all in all as we were abit lazy in signing paperwork and i was having second thoughts so dragged the whole thing out.
Glad we used them though, even though they went bust! I am sure they are up and running again:unsure:

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

How many times did they contact you ?

Did they also say you would have more chance in certain states ?

Just very curious at this stage. I know plenty of Tradies here, Including a floorer which has spurred this thread. Must have forgotten the PM ;)





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Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

They rang us a few times throughout the months just to tell us how things were progressing. We could live wherever we wanted in OZ. We only chose Perth because we had family there (bad bad decision):frown:
We had 136 visa. Refrigeration and Air-con;)

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

We used a migration agent, mainly because I had to go down the ACS RPL route and they had experience with that, plus they filled out all the paperwork as much as they could, with us doing the rest.

For us it was more a piece of mind thing, it took off a lot of the pressure of wondering if we done things right/wrong or missed anything. We didnt want to hit any pitfalls, plus the agent had alot more experience dealing with DIAC and visa applications than we had. Also, they answered emails/queries quicker than DIAC too.

We paid £750 quid for their services, and we're damn happy with what they provided.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Got to admit I would be happy to pay 1600 bucks to have migration headaches taken away. That Doesn't sound so bad. BTW I found out within 30 secs what ACS RPL was ;) Ta Google. Alas all my decent computer contacts are in the UK.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

I paid about 1800 quid. No complaints, all went smoothly. I retrospect, could've done it ourselves.....

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

BTW did they tell you where to look for work ? Or indeed arrange interviews etc ?

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

I think - as has been said in threads in the past - it is down to personal choice.

Personally we didn't use the Agents. We were going to, but decided in the end to try and do it ourselves - and I am totally relieved we made that choice, obviously for the main fact that it saved us a whole lot of money and I found the whole process easy enough to do ourselves - although ours was a straightforward enough Visa Application.

I think when you read from others who have used them, a lot of them are thankful they did - which obviously has worked out well for them. So like I say - down to personal choice......

Thats just my opinion.

Amanda:)

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

It feels to me like people that are committed to come here decide to go all out and if somewhere between 1k and 2k helps that process so be it.

I'm wondering how much difference it makes, besides the form filling ?

Do they actually provide job interviews and provide detailed informaton on Tax and Medicare ?

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

I haven't seen these threads or noticed them.... and I've been on these boards for over 5 years.... are you just talking the Immigration forum ? Maybe I just skimmed them, because I've not been interested in this subject before.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Hi

Yes - Sorry - The Immigration Forum has a lot of threads about using Agents - obviously due to the fact that this is when you are likely to need advice about them.

Sorry I just assumed that people read through other Threads. :)

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

They get you on the road to a visa and give a pointer regarding work etc. They will answer questions if you know what to ask......

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Do you need accreditation in the UK to be an Agent ?

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

It depends on what kind of service you sign up for. Some have those services (at a cost) while others don't.

It can make a difference if your case isn't straightforward. If you don't have enough points or if there are children and step children or if you have a really involved or difficult skills assessment. I worked for an agency here in Perth (who I would recommend people avoid like the plague) and the agent I worked with specialised in sponsored visas only - business skills, skilled family or state sponsor or employer sponsored. Some of those applications can be complicated. There was another agent who only worked on 136/175 visas. And another one who only did family stream marriage, child, defacto visas.

Just because your application was simple doesn't mean that everyone's is.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Went via Spouse visa without agent. Very easy to do. Had no probs at all.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Not in the UK you don't. In Australia you have to be registered with MARA to be an agent. To get registered with MARA it's a one year post-grad course in Australian migration law. Very difficult to get in and very difficult to pass.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

It's all about choice and comfort level. I wouldn't if I had my time again. but then I traded my limousine in for a cat and I now have nothing to chauffeur it...

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Thanks Dorothy.... I would assume that most people in the UK use UK based agents ?

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Same for us. Applied for a spouse visa; did it all ourselves; got it sorted within a mere 3 months. Easy as.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Finding out what ACS RPL is isnt the killer. But finding out how it should be presented, content, etc, the agent knew about that. Sure, you could pay for examples and help, but then again you're still paying.

I also had to gain visas for my two stepdaughters, which was fraught with pitfalls, but they knew all about how to address that.

I do get the feeling that your mocking the people who use agents though. To be honest, in hindsight, we could have done it all ourselves, but I think it would've taken much, much longer, and we'd have had to go through so much more stress than we did.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

I would assume nothing ;)

We used an Oz based agent, mainly because being MARA registered gives you some hope of not being ripped off.

And no, they dont line up job interviews and such, migrations agents tend to just work towards getting you a visa.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Not at all. Many are happy to use Aus based agents, possibly feel there's more safety with the accreditation. Most of the work is done via email and calls anyway so it's just as easy whoever you go for.

I didn't realise they filled in the forms for you. I just thought they offered advice, told you what to send and when to send it and the best way forward.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

They sent us the forms that were required, most of the personal details were already filled in (what they knew of us), we filled in the rest. Some forms just required me to sign and date, scan, and send it back.

We also sent all the forms back to them and they submitted everything for us. They also handled all the contact with DIAC. This helped as we didnt have to be awake during the night to make phone calls when the DIAC office was open.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

In a lot of cases an agent can have the specialist knowledge of how to lay out a tricky case for DIAC. Something like criminal convictions maybe, the explanation of the circumstances can make the differecen between someone appearing to be a thug, and someone who was acting in self-defence. It's years of experience putting forward tricky cases that I feel earns the good agents their money.

I've had some discussions with the esteemed Mr George Lombard about unusual scenarios, and it really can be down to knowing what can be done, even if its unusual. With the right knowledge of precedents and of procedures an agent can get a visa granted when an applicant going it alone wouldn't have a chance.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

we used an agent and it was circa €1000, we were a straight forward case but we had mountains of paperwork and couldn't figure out where to start, especially with the TRA.

Our agent is based in Ireland but has MARA accreditation or whatever its called and has to do exams every year. She also - I can't think of the exact word but its the swearing of documents to be true copies (anyone know, I'm having a brain fart!!) so that saved us I reckon something in the region of €400 - €500 (we had 86 pages in all for the TRA and 175)

I didn't like the way they asked for $500 to put in the Qld SS so I did that myself. No complaints - I'd use her again if I had to, she stays in touch with personal emails which I like.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

hi off to the sun. im also in ireland. could you please tell me who your migration agent in ireland is

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

I wonder if the current very large influx of Chinese and Indians are using agents ?

When did using agents become a popular way of applying and what percentage of people use them ?

Has anyone got an example of a probable failed entry for migration, that an agents made a difference with ?

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

I get a feeling that someone is looking for a very distinct career change? :)

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

Heading in the direction of a change of vocation that for sure. Doubt it will be as an Agent though. Still it doesn't hurt to ask questions.

It's just that most long term residents would know the local job market IMO.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

A lot of them use "migration consultants". Another term for unlicensed people in their home countries who claim to be agents but really aren't. I've seen in the immi forum where they've been completely ripped off by these so-called agents or given really bad advice. There have been posters whose "agent" has recommended they lie about their qualifications, who offer to sell them IELTS results and who take the money from the applicants but never submit the application.
It's probably always been popular. When we applied we had never heard of the idea, but then I don't think we would have used one anyway. I don't mind filling in forms and our case was really quite straightforward. Hub had a skill on the MODL, he'd worked in his job for 18 years so definitely had the experience, we were married with no step-kids, no character issues and no real medical issues. I'm not sure what percentage of people use agents but it might be an interesting little factoid. I bet ABC would be able to find out.
I know a woman who sponsored her Indian fiance. Their first DIY application was denied because DIAC thought that they were not in a genuine relationship. They didn't provide the right kind of evidence to prove that they were the first time around. They used an agent the second time who put together a much more detailed application showing that they were actually a genuine couple and it was successful.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

We used a migration agent. In hindsight I would not have bothered given our straight forward application. I recently made my sister in laws remaining relative visa application myself. An agent wanted 2k sterling for the same. Again her application was straight forward and just a matter of filling out forms which would have to do for the agent anyhow, albeit they would be checked by them you hope!

However, given the multitude of circumstances which people have I can certainly see that an agent is of real assistance to some and professional advice is invaluable.

I do think there are some registered agents who are just taking peoples money though. A select few have earnt themselves a reputation for effectively ripping off clients with fees up to five times that which our regular industry posters on the forum with impeccable references would charge for a far superior service.

The moral of the story is perhaps, as in any industry, do your homework and hire a professional that you trust if you need to - or one that comes recommended.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

We also used Four Corners as it took all the hassle out of it for me.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

With hindsight could have done it our selves but used reputable agent for less than £1k and don't regret it. Good for peace of mind and knowing (hopefully) that everything is submitted correctly. There were a couple of issues where the agents knowledge probably saved some time in the whole process.

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

We used Ian Harrup as they were rec to us, great service. Some of the forms we could have filled in ourselves but it was great to get them and just have to sign in the box - especially as you have 239887 other things to do when you emigrate.

Also, they really helped with the TRA - the one we did initially needed more detail, they sent it back to us with suggestions as to how it should read and we redid it.

Cost us about £2K I think or thereabouts (over 18 months or so)

Re: Why do people use Migration Agents.
 

We used an agent too and like you, were so glad we did. There was so much we wouldn't have known without their help. They were fantastic. Took us about 14 months from start to finish.