Ryan Canavan Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Hi Guys, My partner and I are planning for a partner visa in the near future. We are tossing up between doing the application ourselves or paying a specialist. Its quite a huge fee to use specialists ($3.5k) so just wondering what advice you may have. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1 Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Hi Guys, My partner and I are planning for a partner visa in the near future. We are tossing up between doing the application ourselves or paying a specialist. Its quite a huge fee to use specialists ($3.5k) so just wondering what advice you may have. Thanks Most people do it themselves as it is relatively easy to submit. However, should your case be at all complicated then it is best to employ a migration agent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozmaniac Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 You'll need to be reasonably well organised and OK at filling out forms, but if yours is a fairly straightforward application (i.e. if you're married or have lived together in a marriage-like de facto relationship for at least 12 months and have plenty of evidence to prove that your relationship is genuine) and you understand the requirements you should be able to manage the application without professional help. Have you read the Partner Migration booklet? If not, that would be a good place to start to decide if you think you can handle the application. http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1127.pdf Partner Migration booklet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metoo Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 We did it ourselves (myself actually) no problems at all except everyone had to shut up and be quiet while I filled in all the details, over and over again. A lot of it is repetitive. If you have lots of evidence of defacto and no specific health issues then save yourself a fortune and do it yourself. TBH even if an agent it it for you all the answers will come from you anyway as its just loads and loads of personal details. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary and Jenny Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 DIY Mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindor Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Absolutely do it yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul Senise Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hi Guys, My partner and I are planning for a partner visa in the near future. We are tossing up between doing the application ourselves or paying a specialist. Its quite a huge fee to use specialists ($3.5k) so just wondering what advice you may have. Thanks It will depend on your personal situation. You may want to read this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MovingtoTasmania Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 We did it ourselves and although it was time consuming it was more about finding all the various things required to prove that we lived together, such as bills in my name, his name and joint names. Not sure whether having so many kids helped or not but we got the grant. It's not hard and there is plenty of help on here for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Canavan Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share Posted November 22, 2014 Hey guys, thanks for your comments. We were considering doing it ourselves although we are in a pretty unique situation. We just scrape into the requirements for a partner visa application due to the fact we dont meet the 12 months "living together" clause. We still qualify as we will register our relationship, although we are hoping for travel and work rights so we don't want to take any chances. So far, we arent having the best experience with GM. Can someone reccomend a honest, empathetic agent they may have used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrussell Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 (edited) Hey guys, thanks for your comments. We were considering doing it ourselves although we are in a pretty unique situation. We just scrape into the requirements for a partner visa application due to the fact we dont meet the 12 months "living together" clause. We still qualify as we will register our relationship, although we are hoping for travel and work rights so we don't want to take any chances. So far, we arent having the best experience with GM. Can someone reccomend a honest, empathetic agent they may have used? GM are OK. If you have an issue ask to have it resolved. and see my post here: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/223524-visa-agents.html Edited November 22, 2014 by wrussell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adele244 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I have taken the decision to use an agent, but that is purely because I cant afford the outlay of so much money for me to cock it up with a stupid mistake (I simply don't trust myself!) and I have sooo many questions. My only hope/concern is that the agent will tell me from the off if it is a doubtful application, if I put on my skeptical head, would an agent be tempted to give false hope to gain a job?... However, we are in business and I hate it when people distrust us, or they think there is an underhanded motive somewhere, so I should NOT do it myself. But yes I will definitely use an agent. It all depends on your circumstances and confidence I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catlover1 Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 My oh is oz and I'm irish. We hired a migration agent who charged £200 about 3 yrs ago n i got my residency visa after 3 mths. She's an aussie so knows the forms n paperwork inside out. I can pm you her details as I'd highly recommend her. Hi Guys, My partner and I are planning for a partner visa in the near future. We are tossing up between doing the application ourselves or paying a specialist. Its quite a huge fee to use specialists ($3.5k) so just wondering what advice you may have. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 (edited) you haven't said what your situation is, but I did my application myself and it was pretty easy. I completed it over 2-3 months, as it takes time to gather together the evidence, statements from friends etc, birth certificates, evidence of living together, and writing our own personal statements. There's comprehensive guidance provided on the web, which I printed off in full and also a checklist. I think I distilled everything I needed to do and action, from the guidance and checklist, into my own checklist/task list. If you are good with paperwork/admin stuff, it will be easy. If you are not naturally well organised, I'd imagine it would be more difficult, but still not a deal breaker! Edited November 23, 2014 by vickyplum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrussell Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I have taken the decision to use an agent, but that is purely because I cant afford the outlay of so much money for me to cock it up with a stupid mistake (I simply don't trust myself!) and I have sooo many questions. My only hope/concern is that the agent will tell me from the off if it is a doubtful application, if I put on my skeptical head, would an agent be tempted to give false hope to gain a job?... However, we are in business and I hate it when people distrust us, or they think there is an underhanded motive somewhere, so I should NOT do it myself. But yes I will definitely use an agent. It all depends on your circumstances and confidence I suppose. It is a serious breach of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct for a registered migration agent to mislead a client about the prospects of success. Here is a relevant extract: 6 To the extent that a registered migration agent must take account of objective criteria to make an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations, he or she must be frank and candid about the prospects of success when assessing a client’s request for assistance in preparing a case or making an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations. 2.7 A registered migration agent who is asked by a client to give his or her opinion about the probability of a successful outcome for the client’s application: (a) must give the advice, in writing, within a reasonable time; and (b) may also give the advice orally to the extent that the oral advice is the same as the written advice; and © must not hold out unsubstantiated or unjustified prospects of success when advising clients (orally or in writing) on applications under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations. There should be a link to full code should be on the website of all registered migration agents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Canavan Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 It's just that you'd hope that with using an agent would take some of the stress and worry about the whole thing! So far out of the 3 people we have dealt with, the sales agent told us our visa option wasn't an option, I had to prove him wrong... Our Australian migration specialist in the UK gave my partner advice that would have had her deported upon arrival which was backed up by the agent they forwarded us to in Oz then our Australian agent just proved that she doesn't understand the temporary visa 100% as after speaking with her we found out conflicting info after calling immigration ourselves.. We are still with them as maybe I'm just looking too much into it but, considering they have the future of me and the person I love in their hands, it's getting to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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