Ripped off by Bureau?
 

Hi
Has anyone out there used a Bureau?
If so - how much did it cost?
How long did it take?
Did you feel ripped of?!?!?!
Are these bureau guys "genuine"?
Questions questions because we are feeling really bad :-(

We have paid over £4k already and still seem along from our goal - achieving a life in NZ :-(
Trouble is having gone so far how can we back out now - we will lose all that we have paid already -

Question is - how much more do we have to pay?
Does anyone have any answers pleeeease.....

Fisherpants

PS. Also, they have all our "original" documents :-(

Re: Ripped off by Bureau?
 

We looked into using an immigration company and paid a few hundred pounds to be fully assessed, then saw the full costs involved and decided to have a go at doing it ourselves - luckily it worked for us.... what stage in the process are you?? ie EOI successful?? you've got your full invitation to apply?? etc

Re: Ripped off by Bureau?
 

Usually you can get by without an agent, unless there are complex issues regarding children from previous marriages, potential health issues, looking to set up a company etc.

My advise is to view the money paid as "school fees" and move on rather than keep throwing good money after bad. Try and get your docs back before telling them you are pulling out..
good luck, immigration is stressful, hope you get to NZ soon

Re: Ripped off by Bureau?
 

Totally agree. We've paid over £3500 to The Emigration Group,£3000 to removals,and a probable £500 to various organisations for our certificates of training,full birth certs,etc.
Trouble is,both full time,3 kids,moving house to rented property,we would've struggled without help,and I've said before-money was never the object (we'd saved quite a bit),quality of life was,so for us it was worth it!! :)

Re: Ripped off by Bureau?
 

Hi, yes we have been using a Bureau and found the same thing, we paid they over 5k and they had done nothing, lots of reviewing our file, perusing our file, restating our status and what the process is. We are applying for a LTBV ie business visa so it may be different for skilled migrant visas. We decided to do as much as poss on our own or employing other people (lawyers, accountants, business planners) in NZ to do them rather than get the bureau to do them as costs were so huge. We have just been to NZ and we approached the city council of the city we are migrating to and there was a chap there who offers his sevices for free. we have subsequently ditched the bureau and will be submitting our business plan and all documentation to him. He will then present it to the imigration services for us.The bureau told us it would take 9 months for a reply on the application, this guy said 6-8weeks. My sister went to aus as a skilled migrant and she used a bureau that mucked her about for 2.5 years. dont know what to suggest for you, but if you terminate your service agreement with the bureau they will charge you to send all your docs back, but before you do terminate, are you sure that you can submit your application yourselves?

Re: Ripped off by Bureau?
 

[QUOTE=Fisherpants]Hi
Has anyone out there used a Bureau?
If so - how much did it cost?
How long did it take?
Did you feel ripped of?!?!?!
Are these bureau guys "genuine"?
Questions questions because we are feeling really bad :-(

We have paid over £4k already and still seem along from our goal - achieving a life in NZ :-(
Trouble is having gone so far how can we back out now - we will lose all that we have paid already -

Question is - how much more do we have to pay?
Does anyone have any answers pleeeease.....

Hi,
as Danny said we have used a company but were quoted our fee up front and have not been asked for any additional money, all this was put in writing to us. We sent them our documents and they were returned within 2 days not held onto - it may be worthwhile asking why they are holding onto yours. We have found it expensive but to be honest quite worth it. The company also has a contact in NZ who is arranging short term accomodation for us and they have sent us loads of info, web sites etc. We could have done it ourselves but it would have been an added pressure. Also we couldn't find enough points initially and the agent has found all 140 we need and more so it should make life easier that way. It might be worthwhile meeting with them again, getting everything in writing (again) and telling them your frustrations - they should be able to answer your questions,
DonnaF

Re: Ripped off by Bureau?
 

Hi Danny

might be useful for you to post which agency, if you would

Re: Ripped off by Bureau?
 

No problem,
they are called The Emigration Group (TEG) and are a Chester based company and were recommended to us in he first instance. Their e mail address is [email protected]. As I said before expensive but we found no hidden costs (forgot to mention they also sent us a DVD, books, NZ newspapers, AA driving guide etc etc and they have always been up front with us. Any delays we experienced were of our own making!
Donna