Whether to use a migration agent or not?

[famanda33]

We're just about to start the process to move to Adelaide, and really can't decide whether to use a migration agent, so I would appreciate any input with your experience please.

Obviously there are is the obvious pro that they know what they are doing, but then there is the obvious con of the extra cost involved.

We are not in a major rush to move, so time is not an issue. And now I've found this forum, I think we could probably work it out ourselves (with your help of course!! )

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Amanda

[dr_hazouma]

i think that agents are not beneficial except in some legal matters or if you dont have much options for applying for immigration
so i think if your job is on the csl
or you can get a state sponsorship by yourself
you will not need the agent at all

[famanda33]

Thanks for the reply. My husbands job is on the sol, which is why I was questioning about using one.

I have some friends which have recently left the UK - 2 for Canada and 2 for Australia. One of each sets used a migration consultant, and the others didn't. The only answer I can get from the ones who did use them, was that it was for their own piece of mind. There doesn't seem to be any reason to use one as my husbands job is on the csl.

Unless anyone else can shed some light onto this?

[SteveW]

Hi

We've recently got our Visa's approved & didn't use an agent

There is a lot of information & advice that can be gained from Forums such as this one to help

Take your time & ensure you understand all the steps required & I would advise to do the process yourself

Regards Steve

[famanda33]

Thanks for your reply Steve, and congrats on your Visa.

[eva-usa]

Originally Posted by famanda33

Thanks for your reply Steve, and congrats on your Visa.

If you have all required documents with you, you dont need agent.

[kaz101]

Hi Amanda,

We used an agent because we were applying for skilled independent and had no idea what we were doing (this was back in 2002 when forums like this one weren't really around) and we were running out of time because of our age.

We approached 3 agents and the first 2 said we wouldn't get in, so I have no doubt that if we had tried on our own we wouldn't be here now. We used the full service to get us through the skills assessments (again they made changes for for husbands assessment) and the main application.

As SteveW said, if you are not in a rush then go through everything thoroughly and see if you think you can do it yourself.

Did your friends who came to Oz use an agent? If not are they applying for the same visa?

Regards,
Karen

[famanda33]

Originally Posted by kaz101

Hi Amanda,

We used an agent because we were applying for skilled independent and had no idea what we were doing (this was back in 2002 when forums like this one weren't really around) and we were running out of time because of our age.

We approached 3 agents and the first 2 said we wouldn't get in, so I have no doubt that if we had tried on our own we wouldn't be here now. We used the full service to get us through the skills assessments (again they made changes for for husbands assessment) and the main application.

As SteveW said, if you are not in a rush then go through everything thoroughly and see if you think you can do it yourself.

Did your friends who came to Oz use an agent? If not are they applying for the same visa?

Regards,
Karen

Thanks for the info Karen. We are okay with the age as my hubbie is only 28. I'm 39, but that still gives us plenty of time.

I've had 2 sets of friends, and one used an agent and one didn't. The one who did was because his job is not on the SOL, so they used the agent for that. They got their Visas granted last month and will be making the move by the end of the year. My other friends did not use an agent, but both of their jobs were on the CSL. They moved to Perth 9 months ago and said they have never regretted one minute.

I think this will be my project for this weekend - to get all the information together and make the decision if we can do it ourselves without an agent. Although it is looking pretty promising with the help of this forum!