immigration consultants fees

Glenny boy · 07-11-2007, 06:55 PM

Hi everyone this is my first thread,I would just like some advice on a couple of issues..,
firstly what would you advise and how do you feel about immigration consultants and their fees (ive been quoted £2100 for their services on obtaining a skilled worker visa) this seems a bit high to me,could i not get everything i need myself??
I would also need to have a skills assessment which they say costs A$2200.00 (around £1000)

Also the dilemma of where to go!! Im a single young at heart 38 year old man who likes outdoor activities and a lot of social life,ive narrowed it down to Sydney or Adelaide (i have a friend in Adelaide)

KazzE · 07-11-2007, 07:17 PM

Hi Glenny boy

it all depends on what your skills are and how complicated your past is.

At 38 you have time on your side and yes you will need to gather information to send to the agent but you are paying for thier knowlege of the system and thier experience

for instance in my case it should have been very straight forward I have only ever worked in 2 fields and only ever had 2 employers

BUT they did not like the wording in my stat dec as I did not use 'oz' terms I thought I had included enough info but they did not think I had met some of the criteria until it was rewritten by the agent (have to say the standard of grammar was not great, but it passed )

I wish I had used an agent from the start but the Scot in me held me back from parting with my money

but actually a couple of grand is not a lot of money for some peace of mind and a new life

you will find lots of help on here

mtcosby · 07-11-2007, 07:18 PM

Welcome to PIO
We have paid around £2500 for fees with an agency then we just paid out £845 for our medicals yesterday.. yes the fees are expensive and in my case worth every penny because I wouldn't have got through everything by myself, but its a personal choice and many on here have done it on their own.
As to were to go in Oz that again is a personal choice we like the sound of perth (never been) ,
Good luck with whatever you decide to do, sorry can't be more helpful
Tracey

KazzE · 07-11-2007, 07:19 PM

oops also meant to say

kia1 · 07-11-2007, 07:38 PM

HI AND

TO PIO
I HAVE DONE THE TRA MYSELF BUT ITS CHANGED SINCE I DID IT IN JULY. SO ICANT COMMENT ON HOW EASY IT IS NOW IF IT IS THE SAME E.G THE FORMS THEN AS LONG AS YOUR EMPLOYER WRITES WHAT YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS AND WHAT TOOLS YOU USE IN THE JOBS ETC. AND THE SAME IF YOU DID EXAMS. AND HOW MANY YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE JOB ETC
FOR THE VISA IF YOU GO ONLINE TO IMMI.GOV YOU CAN HAVE A LOOK AT THE ONLINE FORMS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT THEM AND ALSO YOU CAN CANCEL THE FORMS AT ANY TIME IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT BELIEVE ME THE ONLINE FORMS ARE SOOO EASY. AND YOU GET TOLD TO GO FOR MEDICALS AND POLICE CHECKS WITHIN HOURS THE OTHER PAPERWORK THEY ASK FOR YOU EITHER SEND IT OR SCAN THEM
HOPE THIS HELPS

Glenny boy · 07-11-2007, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome KazzE,mtcosby and Kia1 basically Im a skilled plumber with no criminal record,no dependents and in good health and currently in full time employment (re complicated past KazzE)..
Also could you tell me what a 'stat dec' and 'TRA' is?? (sorry to sound thick its all a bit new)
Also Kia1 you mention about employers writing what I do and tools etc??
Sorry you must have gone over this with other people so many times

ali · 07-11-2007, 10:45 PM

There's nothing to stop you starting the process yourself and getting an agent later, some people have used agents whilst others havn't. Lots of people can help you with the TRA process which is probably the biggest hurdle and is right at the start on the whole process.

We didn't use an agent, but Visa Bureau and Go Matilda get mentioned on here quite alot and in very positive terms, in fact I don't think I've heard anything negative about either of those companies.

Ali

the terry's · 07-11-2007, 10:52 PM

Hi Glenny boy, OH is a plumber and he passed his TRA or Trades Recognition Australia. Exactly how far have you got we're just about to apply for our visa's, maybe able to help with any questions you might have and what you need to do next. The Terry's

the terry's · 07-11-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenny boy

Thanks for the warm welcome KazzE,mtcosby and Kia1 basically Im a skilled plumber with no criminal record,no dependents and in good health and currently in full time employment (re complicated past KazzE)..
Also could you tell me what a 'stat dec' and 'TRA' is?? (sorry to sound thick its all a bit new)
Also Kia1 you mention about employers writing what I do and tools etc??
Sorry you must have gone over this with other people so many times

If you read this soon would you like to talk in chat room, it can be a bit quicker than this twoing and froing. The Terry's

KazzE · 07-11-2007, 11:04 PM

Sorry, easy to use acronyms when you know what they are

Stat dec is Statutory declaration, you almost always have to submit one with your TRA - Trade Recognition Australia (?) basically you have to have your skills assessed and passed by the relevent body before you put in your visa application - it is a statement about your work history and experience backed up with as many references as you can get.

I am not sure after the changes if they are still who you would get your skills assessed through and I think you now have to do a practical.
There are lots of plumbers on here (and very nice they are too

) I am sure you will find lots more help here if you so decide to go it alone.