Migration Bureau

[LELLI]

Has anyone heard of or used the Migration Bureau? I have been reading a lot of bad feeback on forums re: this company and was wondering if anyone else used them in their migration from UK to Australia.

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by LELLI

Has anyone heard of or used the Migration Bureau? I have been reading a lot of bad feeback on forums re: this company and was wondering if anyone else used them in their migration from UK to Australia.

If you've been reading a lot of bad feedback about them then it's probably better to look elsewhere I'm assuming that you're not already with them? It's a tough one trying to find an agent and personal recommendation is good but there is no guarantee what what happened with someone else will happen with you (good or bad). I've not heard of them so I can't comment.

There are loads of agents out there (see link in the "PLEASE READ..." post for MIA and MARA agents, there are several on this forum plus several of us are in Oz and we have used agents to get us here.

Always make sure that your agent is registered to be an agent.

Regards,
Karen

[Dolly]

Hi there,

I agree with Karen....suggest you look at another agent.

It is very difficult because someone can have a good experience with an agent and sing their praises, another could say they were awful. At the end of the day you just have to make a leap of faith that whoever you choose will do a good job for you (and most do!).

Good luck...

Dolly

[LELLI]

Thanks for your reponses girls.

Here's the thing... my husband, myself and children have just started the ball rolling to achieve residency in Oz and we are using the above as Agents.

It wasn't until yesterday morning when I received a whopping invoice for £1700 from them that I started to have my doubts. We paid an initial deposit of £950 - 65% of which went towards this bill but we still have £1008 or something to pay. The have only just started work on our files and say that they bill each fortnight.

Having received the bill I looked up complaints on google and didn't like what I saw.

We haven't signed anything just paid deposit so far. I am worried that we are legally bound and that they will bleed us dry.

I only wish that I'd found this forum before for tips and advice!

[sikofbrit]

hi

that really doesn't sound good

we haven't started the ball rolling yet, but to do so we just have to pay one figure of £254 then 5 more payments of the same amount plus third party services when they come up

maybe you should ask for a breakdown of what exactly your being charged for

good luck

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by LELLI

It wasn't until yesterday morning when I received a whopping invoice for £1700 from them that I started to have my doubts. We paid an initial deposit of £950 - 65% of which went towards this bill but we still have £1008 or something to pay. The have only just started work on our files and say that they bill each fortnight.

Having received the bill I looked up complaints on google and didn't like what I saw.

We haven't signed anything just paid deposit so far. I am worried that we are legally bound and that they will bleed us dry.

I only wish that I'd found this forum before for tips and advice!

What was agreed about the price paid?
Is that bill for work they are doing every 2 weeks?
Are you going to get more of these or will it tail off?

Most agents (when we were looking) offered a flat fee for the processing, often split into several payments depending on the services. For example we paid for the ACS and trade application but no further than than incase they were refused (for some reason).

Have you spoken to them about the bills? I would talk to them first to how much the visa application is going to cost you and then go from there.
You may be reading about a small minority of people who have had problems with them. People who have been happy have no reason to post on the internet.

One example was our finance guys who helped us move pensions etc. They got a slating on another forum but we went to see them to interview them. Out of 3 agents we interviewed we liked them the best since we had quite complicated arrangements. I was upfront with them about what we'd read on the forums and said that if it worked well for us I would recommend them on the forum. I don't know if it was that or that they were right for us. They got everything moved over smoothly and were still answering some questions via email long after we'd moved and we weren't billed. They were worth it in our eyes and I gave them a good recommendation. One size doesn't always fit all

Are they with MIA or MARA? If so check out those websites and see if there are any regulations covering visa costs and disclosure.

I wouldn't panic yet - speak to them and see what they say. Then you'll have a clearer idea of what you need to do.

Regards,
Karen

[Alan Collett]

Originally Posted by LELLI

Thanks for your reponses girls.

Here's the thing... my husband, myself and children have just started the ball rolling to achieve residency in Oz and we are using the above as Agents.

It wasn't until yesterday morning when I received a whopping invoice for £1700 from them that I started to have my doubts. We paid an initial deposit of £950 - 65% of which went towards this bill but we still have £1008 or something to pay. The have only just started work on our files and say that they bill each fortnight.

Having received the bill I looked up complaints on google and didn't like what I saw.

We haven't signed anything just paid deposit so far. I am worried that we are legally bound and that they will bleed us dry.

I only wish that I'd found this forum before for tips and advice!

I am afraid this is the consequence when one engages a firm that doesn't adopt a fixed fee policy.

Start by questioning the quantum of the bill - ask for a detailed anaylsis of what you have been charged for to date. Then consider moving to an agency that is transparent as to the fees you can expect to pay.

Best regards.