Agents - yes or no?

[la44]

Hi

My partner and I have been in contact with a migration agent as we're hoping to come over on a 176 - sponsored by his aunt. He's a solicitor but we can't use that as his occupation as he'd need to re-qualify in Oz. We're gonna try and use Business and Information Professionals, as it appears to be a fairly generic business category.

Am not sure if this makes our application a little more complicated? Does anyone have experience of this and should we fork out for an agents help?

I should also mention we are de-facto but have evidence going back 2 years of living together (tenancy agreements etc).

Thanks! Any advice would be really appreciated!

[kaz101]

Hi la44,

I would always talk to a few agents initially to see what they say, get their charges, what services they provide etc.

If your case is going to be difficult then yes I would recommend an agent - we went with one because 2 others had said we couldn't get in and we were approaching 40 and needed to make sure that we got in first time otherwise we would lose points.

Have you been through the 'Thinking of emigrating' and 'PLEASE READ....' posts towards the top of the forum? They have CSL lists, visa wizards, points test info that may help with your decision.

Some people like using agents because their knowledge and support is amazing and others think they are a waste of money So it's a very personal choice.

Regards,
Karen

[la44]

Originally Posted by kaz101

Hi la44,

I would always talk to a few agents initially to see what they say, get their charges, what services they provide etc.

If your case is going to be difficult then yes I would recommend an agent - we went with one because 2 others had said we couldn't get in and we were approaching 40 and needed to make sure that we got in first time otherwise we would lose points.

Have you been through the 'Thinking of emigrating' and 'PLEASE READ....' posts towards the top of the forum? They have CSL lists, visa wizards, points test info that may help with your decision.

Some people like using agents because their knowledge and support is amazing and others think they are a waste of money So it's a very personal choice.

Regards,
Karen

I've spoken to 2 different companies and they seem to be a bit reluctant to tell us what occupation we could use instead of legal prationer - i think this is so we pay the fees!

The 2 agents we've spoke to have said there should be no problem getting in, we're both 26 and are 15points over the required amount for the sponsored visa.

I'll check those posts out now, thanks for your help Karen!

[Dolly]

Hi there,

I'd suggest you contact some agents on here and ask them their opinion. SOMV (Veronika) is the agent who posts regularly. There's also Alan Collett.

Once you've got the skills question sorted, and you feel the rest is pretty straightforward, then there's no reason why you can't do the application yourself. Personally, if it wasn't for an agent, we wouldn't be here now (but ours turned out not to be as straightforward as we'd hoped). Or, you could always use an agent for the skills assessment part and do the main application yourself.

Let us know how you get on and if you've got any other questions, just ask away.

Dolly

[TransferMate]

Also try contacting VisaFirst, theyre in london, dublin and sydney. There are lots of agents out there who only want to charge you for everything and wont give you a single bit of advice. At least they will advise you and prepare you for what you need first.

[Halo]

Originally Posted by la44

Hi

My partner and I have been in contact with a migration agent as we're hoping to come over on a 176 - sponsored by his aunt. He's a solicitor but we can't use that as his occupation as he'd need to re-qualify in Oz. We're gonna try and use Business and Information Professionals, as it appears to be a fairly generic business category.

Am not sure if this makes our application a little more complicated? Does anyone have experience of this and should we fork out for an agents help?

I should also mention we are de-facto but have evidence going back 2 years of living together (tenancy agreements etc).

Thanks! Any advice would be really appreciated!

Speak to MORE agents till you find one you can trust and gives you the right information. I used Visas to AustraliaAustralian Visas Ltd. and found them very helpful. Just keep plugging away.
A phone call is almost free

[scottishcelts]

We did not feel the need to use one and done it all ourselves and saved a fortune into the bargain.

We heard lots of negative comments about agents, including my sis in law & hubby who ditched theirs half way through and completed the process themselves.

Good luck with your decision