costs for dealing with the immigration process
#1
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Weve been in touch with a company today based in London enquiring about applying for a permanent residency visa.
They quoted £1500 plus vat for the whole family for application of the visa,£300 per adult and £80 per child for the Embassy fees and £100 each for the medicals .
They also stated that the application would be dealt with within 6 to 8 months providing there was no hangups .
Does this sound a reasonable price ,or is it possible to deal with the application ourselves.
Has anybody had dealings with these type of companies ,and are they trustworthy ,Thanks for any advice
They quoted £1500 plus vat for the whole family for application of the visa,£300 per adult and £80 per child for the Embassy fees and £100 each for the medicals .
They also stated that the application would be dealt with within 6 to 8 months providing there was no hangups .
Does this sound a reasonable price ,or is it possible to deal with the application ourselves.
Has anybody had dealings with these type of companies ,and are they trustworthy ,Thanks for any advice
![woodworker is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#2
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 198
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![KS2008 is just really nice](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That's a very common question and the usual answer is that unless there is something particularly complicated or unusual about your circumstances there really, really isn't any need to spend money on a consultant.
A lot of us here (myself included) did it ourselves and while it is a time consuming and stressful process, using a consultant is still going to require you gathering all the information, you filling in the forms and you doing all the worrying. The only difference is that you get to spend a lot of money just to have someone check the forms ... and if you have any doubts or questions or things that need checking, you can just as easily and much more cheaply post your questions here.
A lot of us here (myself included) did it ourselves and while it is a time consuming and stressful process, using a consultant is still going to require you gathering all the information, you filling in the forms and you doing all the worrying. The only difference is that you get to spend a lot of money just to have someone check the forms ... and if you have any doubts or questions or things that need checking, you can just as easily and much more cheaply post your questions here.
![KS2008 is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#3
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Weve been in touch with a company today based in London enquiring about applying for a permanent residency visa.
They quoted £1500 plus vat for the whole family for application of the visa,£300 per adult and £80 per child for the Embassy fees and £100 each for the medicals .
They also stated that the application would be dealt with within 6 to 8 months providing there was no hangups .
Does this sound a reasonable price ,or is it possible to deal with the application ourselves.
Has anybody had dealings with these type of companies ,and are they trustworthy ,Thanks for any advice
They quoted £1500 plus vat for the whole family for application of the visa,£300 per adult and £80 per child for the Embassy fees and £100 each for the medicals .
They also stated that the application would be dealt with within 6 to 8 months providing there was no hangups .
Does this sound a reasonable price ,or is it possible to deal with the application ourselves.
Has anybody had dealings with these type of companies ,and are they trustworthy ,Thanks for any advice
Woodworker
Interesting about the embassy & medical fees
My direct fees were as follows~
$550 CIC application fee per adult
$490 Landing fee per adult
medical fee
£200 per adult
hope this helps
regards
Joinerboy
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![joinerboy is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#4
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Dundas, Ontario
Posts: 176
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![lifeisajourney is a name known to all](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_highpos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi,
My advice is to have a really good look at the forms on the CIC website, then go back a few days later and take another look at them. Hopefully you'll decide that they're not really that hard to fill in yourself. If you do decide to use a 'consultant' you must remember that it will still be YOU gathering all your documents together (education docs, employment contracts, birth, marriage certificate), and YOU working out all those previous addresses and dates and that's the hardest part. Once you have it all, it really isn't that hard to fill in the forms, get docs notarised etc.
Why pay someone to do it for you when you can do it just as well yourself. There's no preferential treatment given to applications sent in from consultants either so it's not going to speed anything up.
Unless you have a complicated family/criminal/ medical situation I'd urge you take a good look at the forms yourself.
At first my instinct was to pay someone to do it for us. But then when I actually printed everything off, read the guidelines and saw what had to be done, we decided to do it ourselves.
Whatever you decide, good luck!
My advice is to have a really good look at the forms on the CIC website, then go back a few days later and take another look at them. Hopefully you'll decide that they're not really that hard to fill in yourself. If you do decide to use a 'consultant' you must remember that it will still be YOU gathering all your documents together (education docs, employment contracts, birth, marriage certificate), and YOU working out all those previous addresses and dates and that's the hardest part. Once you have it all, it really isn't that hard to fill in the forms, get docs notarised etc.
Why pay someone to do it for you when you can do it just as well yourself. There's no preferential treatment given to applications sent in from consultants either so it's not going to speed anything up.
Unless you have a complicated family/criminal/ medical situation I'd urge you take a good look at the forms yourself.
At first my instinct was to pay someone to do it for us. But then when I actually printed everything off, read the guidelines and saw what had to be done, we decided to do it ourselves.
Whatever you decide, good luck!
![lifeisajourney is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#5
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Wink](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif)
That's a very common question and the usual answer is that unless there is something particularly complicated or unusual about your circumstances there really, really isn't any need to spend money on a consultant.
A lot of us here (myself included) did it ourselves and while it is a time consuming and stressful process, using a consultant is still going to require you gathering all the information, you filling in the forms and you doing all the worrying. The only difference is that you get to spend a lot of money just to have someone check the forms ... and if you have any doubts or questions or things that need checking, you can just as easily and much more cheaply post your questions here.
A lot of us here (myself included) did it ourselves and while it is a time consuming and stressful process, using a consultant is still going to require you gathering all the information, you filling in the forms and you doing all the worrying. The only difference is that you get to spend a lot of money just to have someone check the forms ... and if you have any doubts or questions or things that need checking, you can just as easily and much more cheaply post your questions here.
![woodworker is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#6
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi,
My advice is to have a really good look at the forms on the CIC website, then go back a few days later and take another look at them. Hopefully you'll decide that they're not really that hard to fill in yourself. If you do decide to use a 'consultant' you must remember that it will still be YOU gathering all your documents together (education docs, employment contracts, birth, marriage certificate), and YOU working out all those previous addresses and dates and that's the hardest part. Once you have it all, it really isn't that hard to fill in the forms, get docs notarised etc.
Why pay someone to do it for you when you can do it just as well yourself. There's no preferential treatment given to applications sent in from consultants either so it's not going to speed anything up.
Unless you have a complicated family/criminal/ medical situation I'd urge you take a good look at the forms yourself.
At first my instinct was to pay someone to do it for us. But then when I actually printed everything off, read the guidelines and saw what had to be done, we decided to do it ourselves.
Whatever you decide, good luck!
My advice is to have a really good look at the forms on the CIC website, then go back a few days later and take another look at them. Hopefully you'll decide that they're not really that hard to fill in yourself. If you do decide to use a 'consultant' you must remember that it will still be YOU gathering all your documents together (education docs, employment contracts, birth, marriage certificate), and YOU working out all those previous addresses and dates and that's the hardest part. Once you have it all, it really isn't that hard to fill in the forms, get docs notarised etc.
Why pay someone to do it for you when you can do it just as well yourself. There's no preferential treatment given to applications sent in from consultants either so it's not going to speed anything up.
Unless you have a complicated family/criminal/ medical situation I'd urge you take a good look at the forms yourself.
At first my instinct was to pay someone to do it for us. But then when I actually printed everything off, read the guidelines and saw what had to be done, we decided to do it ourselves.
Whatever you decide, good luck!
![woodworker is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#7
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
[QUOTE=joinerboy;7961501]Hi
Woodworker
Interesting about the embassy & medical fees
My direct fees were as follows~
$550 CIC application fee per adult
$490 Landing fee per adult
medical fee
£200 per adult
hope this helps
regards
Joinerboy
[/QUOTE
That seems reasonable i think were going to start the process ourselves ,judging by what people say it doesnt sound that bad ,the prices vary from company to company ,the company we spoke to also help arrange job interviews but also for a fee cheers
Woodworker
Interesting about the embassy & medical fees
My direct fees were as follows~
$550 CIC application fee per adult
$490 Landing fee per adult
medical fee
£200 per adult
hope this helps
regards
Joinerboy
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
That seems reasonable i think were going to start the process ourselves ,judging by what people say it doesnt sound that bad ,the prices vary from company to company ,the company we spoke to also help arrange job interviews but also for a fee cheers
Last edited by woodworker; Sep 24th 2009 at 6:24 am. Reason: mistake
![woodworker is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#8
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Mr Woodworker
I hope that it goes well. My personal feelings are I am going it alone. There are plenty of debates on here about using agents etc so I would try searching on here then have a read for your self and make your own mind up!
Also I would advise (as another poster mentioned) that you simply print out the paper work and have a look at it yourself! You will find it fairly straight forward!
What every you decide I wish you the best of luck!![Fingers Crossed](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/fingerscrossed.gif)
I hope that it goes well. My personal feelings are I am going it alone. There are plenty of debates on here about using agents etc so I would try searching on here then have a read for your self and make your own mind up!
Also I would advise (as another poster mentioned) that you simply print out the paper work and have a look at it yourself! You will find it fairly straight forward!
What every you decide I wish you the best of luck!
![Fingers Crossed](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/fingerscrossed.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![dinger24 is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#9
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Mr Woodworker
I hope that it goes well. My personal feelings are I am going it alone. There are plenty of debates on here about using agents etc so I would try searching on here then have a read for your self and make your own mind up!
Also I would advise (as another poster mentioned) that you simply print out the paper work and have a look at it yourself! You will find it fairly straight forward!
What every you decide I wish you the best of luck!![Fingers Crossed](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/fingerscrossed.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I hope that it goes well. My personal feelings are I am going it alone. There are plenty of debates on here about using agents etc so I would try searching on here then have a read for your self and make your own mind up!
Also I would advise (as another poster mentioned) that you simply print out the paper work and have a look at it yourself! You will find it fairly straight forward!
What every you decide I wish you the best of luck!
![Fingers Crossed](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/fingerscrossed.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
cheers
![woodworker is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#10
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Joined: May 2009
Location: Whitley Bay for a while.
Posts: 99
![hobbitess is on a distinguished road](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Indeed Woodworker, I have seen so many of these queries during my fact finds and met a couple of "Agents". I looked at the forms and
gave in. But question by question its not so bad, jus the paper chase:curse:
These guys are oracles and despite the reliably thick questions I post there is always an answer, with a smile.
Good luck.
![Blink](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/blink.gif)
These guys are oracles and despite the reliably thick questions I post there is always an answer, with a smile.
Good luck.
![hobbitess is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#11
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi Woodworker
quote[That seems reasonable i think were going to start the process ourselves ,judging by what people say it doesnt sound that bad ,the prices vary from company to company ,the company we spoke to also help arrange job interviews but also for a fee ]quote
They can't charge you for arranging employment it's illegal in Canada
regards
Joinerboy
quote[That seems reasonable i think were going to start the process ourselves ,judging by what people say it doesnt sound that bad ,the prices vary from company to company ,the company we spoke to also help arrange job interviews but also for a fee ]quote
They can't charge you for arranging employment it's illegal in Canada
regards
Joinerboy
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![joinerboy is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#12
Forum Regular
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
![](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/ranks/star.gif)
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![woodworker has a spectacular aura about](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/reputation/reputation_pos.gif)
![Default](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi Woodworker
quote[That seems reasonable i think were going to start the process ourselves ,judging by what people say it doesnt sound that bad ,the prices vary from company to company ,the company we spoke to also help arrange job interviews but also for a fee ]quote
They can't charge you for arranging employment it's illegal in Canada
regards
Joinerboy![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
quote[That seems reasonable i think were going to start the process ourselves ,judging by what people say it doesnt sound that bad ,the prices vary from company to company ,the company we spoke to also help arrange job interviews but also for a fee ]quote
They can't charge you for arranging employment it's illegal in Canada
regards
Joinerboy
![Smile](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![woodworker is offline](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)