bondbird

Hi, am new to this site so please forgive me if the question has been asked already, Myself and my australian fiance want to get married, he lives in sydney and i live in the uk, i am not sure what to do i have got a quote from the visa bereau for approx £2000 to process my application and deal with it all, i will be taking my son who is aged 8 aswell, is it worth using a company to handle everything or is it just as easy and cheaper to apply straight to DIMA. any info would be great as £2000 seems alot of money to me

BKate

Hi,

This would be a good place to start to read up on material.

http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/part.../300/index.htm

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/1127.pdf

Good Luck

Pollyana

A Pros Marriage Visa generally can be done without an agent. If you have no criminal record, and no significant medical issues, then I wouldn't pay an agnt that amount of money.

Read the partner booklet from the Immigration website - see the link above - and ask questions on here. Compared to a skills visa its very quick and easy.

Have a read of the official stuff then come back here with your questions

Polly

(came over on Pros Spouse Visa, now PR)

bondbird

great thanks both i will get printing and let you know if i need any help, actually there is one thing my son is at the moment on the waiting list to see a mental health doctor as we think he may be add or aspergers would this complicate things if he was diagnoses with either?

Alan Collett

I agree - we charge a lot less for such applications.

Feel able to contact my colleague Lorraine Beaumont on 023 80 488777.

Best regards.

JAJ

Is there another parent with custody or access rights over your child? If so, you may well need consent from that parent or a court order.

Ian Harrop in the UK has a good reputation and his quoted rates are reasonable. http://www.ianharrop.co.uk

bondbird

No my sons dad has never bothered seeing him all of my sons life, so its just me and my boy really, i have had a good look at the forms and the booklet which is really helpful and decided i try without an agent to help. thxs all the same

JAJ

It doesn't matter that your "sons dad has never bothered seeing him all of my sons life" - if he has parental rights you need to address the child custody issues.

If you were not married then he may have no parental rights, but a lot of DIMA case officers have difficulty understanding their own laws (Australia is supposed to respect foreign child custody law).

You probably need a good agent.

bondbird

i never married my sons father, so you still think i need a agent?

JAJ

Yes I do, as many DIMA staff have little understanding of their own regulations on child custody. But make sure you choose an agent who understands child custody issues, many agents do not.

bondbird

ok thanks, well you know what i am going to ask next who would be best to chose, the previous agent you posted above?

JAJ

I cannot comment on the merits of different agents. Why not talk to both and make a decision?

bondbird

thanks for all the info i will do that

George Lombard

Dear BB,

Yes, a significant condition might complicate things. ADD or Apergers could be enough for refusal if the condition is severe. There's a lot to consider here but I'd probably suggest you try to get the specialist's report and present that to the migration agent you're dealing with, before lodging any application.

Cheers,

George Lombard

Pollyana

Yes, having revisited the thread, I would agree that you may well need to use an agent. A medical condition, plus the involvement of an absent parent, could well make it money well spent.

On a purely personally level (as someone unconnected with any agency) I would recommend George Lombard (as he has served me well in the past!) but Ian Harrop, and Alan's colleague Lorraine, also have excellent reputations.
In your shoes I would contact them all and get quotes/advice and then compare the options.