163 Visa DIY

[john5jays]

Hello

Hi

Has anyone successfully applied for a 163 business VIsa DIY without using a migration agent , We have been quoted a cost of around £10Kand told from the outset to full completion takes up to 18 months .We have'nt started the process yet but we have been advised this would be the best way for as it would lead wider options for us in the future should we go for permanent residency

We are looking to expand our family business in Oz , well sell stuff online and ship to Oz everyday ,so would it be easier to simply open an office . Any help

We are UK based and heading to Adelaide , If anyone could help I would be I would be so grateful , I am a little confused as to how to proceed . We are taking a second fact finding trip to Adelaide in two weeks.just to make sure the kids a still OK with it

Thanks

[paulhug]

Hello

Hi

Has anyone successfully applied for a 163 business VIsa DIY without using a migration agent , We have been quoted a cost of around £10Kand told from the outset to full completion takes up to 18 months .We have'nt started the process yet but we have been advised this would be the best way for as it would lead wider options for us in the future should we go for permanent residency

We are looking to expand our family business in Oz , well sell stuff online and ship to Oz everyday ,so would it be easier to simply open an office . Any help

We are UK based and heading to Adelaide , If anyone could help I would be I would be so grateful , I am a little confused as to how to proceed . We are taking a second fact finding trip to Adelaide in two weeks.just to make sure the kids a still OK with it

Thanks

mate i wouldn't even think about doing yourself. The "business plan" alone was about 50 pages long.
try John Mumford at the Visa Unit. 07919845795 i think we paid about 6k

Paul

[rammygirl]

We did ours without an agent. Our business plan wasn't 60 pages long either. I have looked at those and they are basically pro-formas with your own info in them, they look impressive but don't really say any more than ours did. We got SA sponsorship.

It is complicated though, it takes time but a lot of this time was spent gathering the evidence which you have to do yourself anyway.

I am very used to compiling information in this way as I have been an NVQ assessor in the past so am good at matching evidence to complex requirements. Also my OH has spent time advising businesses on growth strategies etc so was used to the planning aspect. We were asked for more evidence on some aspects but we got the visa in the end.

The people at SA business immigration are very helpful and I suggest you see them on your visit along with Business SA support agencies.

Having said this most people do use an agency and you should be able to set the cost against your current business. Check if the quote includes the application fee, and other costs like medicals or not.

Also don't forget to get financial and tax advice advice.

Why not look at applying for SA sponsorship yourselves first and see how that goes? It is free to apply so if they do reject you nothing much lost and you can try again with help.

[john5jays]

Hi

First of all apologies for not reply and thanking you, I lost the access details after a virus... Our trip went well, we stayed much longer than we planned but we are back in the UK now and we have decided SA Adelaide is for us. We have decided to go DIY as you advised, Having looked at the app. process online I guess it would be wise to compile all the requested financial , asset and liabilities info first, . In terms of valuation for properties and businesses assets, do they need to be certified and are estate agents and business sales agency valuations sufficient or will they require further certification

Once again sorry for the very late reply

Thanks

[rammygirl]

If you are sure there is no other visa you can go for, especially a PR one from the outset, then go for it. There are easier ways that the 2 stage business visa!!

Yes get everything together and read all the information and booklets available on the government sites.

They don't usually accept an estate agent valuation, you would need a proper ( bank, type) valuation and expect to pay for it!!

As 163 visas are paper based all documents will need certifying - but for valuations you could ask for 2 copies and send an original.


Double check you meet ALL the requirements and understand the route to PR.

Good luck

[john5jays]

Thanks for the reply ,forgive my ignorance. What is a PR Visa? Certification regarding valuation of property and assets , which profession is accepted as a means of certification , accountant , notary maybe

I am 47 so I think this may stand as a barrier to any other type of Visa?

Thanks

[wanda&wayne]

Hi John, we successfully got our 163 last year, hoping to move next year. We did use an agent and approx cost was £10K, however it did take nearly 2 1/2 years !!!!
As for the property valuations we have 2 properties (mortgaged) over here and one abroad (owned). We had to provide up to date estate agent valuations only, and copy up to date mortgage statements (to prove the equity we were saying we had). As for the property abroad we again had to show an updated estate agent valuation and copy deeds. However this did slightly confuse them cos they asked several times for the mortgage statement !!!!!!
Even using an agent is was a long, laborous and most stressfull time, but we got there in the end....
Good luck with your application.

[wanda&wayne]

Sorry to answer your question re the PR, this is Permanent Resident. The 163 is a Temporary visa only, and think ours last 5 years (not sure now), and then you have to apply for a PR visa or leave !!!!!

[rammygirl]

Good to know they accepted an estate agent valuation, I guess some COs are fussier than others. It also might depend how close you are to meeting the threashold for assets.

Being 47 does not rule out other visas, you need to look at the criteria more closely. Also how old is your OH? they may be eligible. As I said best to get your strategy right from the outset. Might be worth paying for a consultation with a good agent who can also give you a financial heads up regarding the business. Alan Collett would be a good bet. You wouldn't need to use him to do everything but expect to pay for good advice.

Alan is a MARA registered migration agent and a qualified accountant in both Oz AND the UK. He posts on here and other forums and his company is called Go Matilda.

[john5jays]

Hi Thanks will do