I had filled in the forms online with them before I had discovered the expo in London.
A few days after filling in the forms I recieved an email stating I had passed steps 1 + 2, which were: Australian Visa Eligability Assessment for the skilled independant visa, and, Australian Migration Interview.
I am now being prompted by emails to move to step 3, which is the Visa Application process, and of course they want paying. :shock:
Now I just dont get it?! I have been reading nearly every post on this forum since discovering it, and it seems it just doesnt happen that easily or quickly. Am I being bluffed in some way? Or is it a clever marketing techinique which wants you to assume you are doing quite well, then once they have your money, it turns out you are actually no where in the process.
Or are they genuine?
They seem very official, and state they are registered. But I am still suspicious before parting with any pennies! :?
Hi,
We used Migration expert. We paid a fair whack of money for very little advice. We had a phone call that we had to pay too.
It's a legit company but I'd say it's not worthwhile. Little help with filling in the forms but you can get that free from the official website.
The forms are not that frightening really to do on your own. It just needs a clear brain and lots of info.
We weren't aware that they required a police check which has set our application back a month or so.
hope that helps.
jojothehobo
Hi
We are going it alone, without a migration agent. They may well be worth the money, but i think if you do your reasearch well and read the criteria properly, then it's sort of self explanitory. I have read loads on this forum, of people that have passed skills assesment etc. and how they did it.
Hope you get there!!!
It is a marketing ploy they did the same to me.
I decided to do it myself and the money I saved paid all the costs for the cat to come over plus my flight.
I just made checklists of what info i needed for each question and it wasn't that bad a form to fill in. It was the skills assessment part that was more time consuming.
Three certified copies of everything as you have submit everything for the main application that you enclosed for the skills assessment and one copy just in case something gets lost and your sorted.
As rule I think you probably have to speak with an advisor before parting with money; online assessments are useful if they assist in determining a visa strategy and so long as the questions are answered on the basis that you understand what is being asked.
For example, is your work experience in the last 3 or 4 years skilled? If it is you can claim points for Specific Work Experience. But what is skilled? Can you provide the required evidence to confirm it is?
As to whether or not you should engage a migration agent, I don't think any of us can answer that one for you. If you are methodical and have the time to research the process, your strategy, the documents needed, etc you can probably handle the application without needing an agent. However, some are unsure and want the comfort of engaging someone sho has seen the process before, is there if you want to discuss your application and plans, etc, etc.
It's a bit like preparing a Tax Return - you can do it yourself if you have the time, but most don't want to get it wrong and so pay a fee to engage a tax accountant!
Hope this helps.
__________________
Managing Director, Go Matilda, http://www.gomatilda.com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534 and Chartered Accountant (England & Wales, and Australia)
Offices in the UK and in Australia
I can highly recommend dicussing with Phil Olsen who frequents this board as he knows his stuff and will give you an indication whether its possible or not based on your circumstances before taking any of the next steps.
He can be contacted through this forum alternatively you can email at philipo@imaus.com.au . If you contact him just tell him that Tim from PomsInO sent you.
I hope this may help, and good luck whatever route you take!
:D
We did the application ourselves as our application seemed pretty straight forward, if yours is too I would suggest having a go, if you think it's not (for whatever reason), then I'd speak to phil like Tim suggests and he'll be able to advise you. I've seen very mixed reports on agents, some whose help has been invauable and worth every penny, whilst others have parted with alot of cash (which could be your air fare!), for little in return.
Ali x
__________________ I am toopositive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful and too determined to be defeated!
