Migration Agents--- Scammers?

[Bones]

Probably not the best title I've ever chosen but it's to the point.

I've been trawling the net for info and come across several Migration Agents who offer the free online assessment, well, it was free so I filled it in. Imagine my surprise when I got different responses from them when I answered the same questions.

These are the companies I've tried.....

This domain has been registered by Archant

Visa Bureau - Global visa and immigration services

Immigration, work visas and work permit services

Immigration to Australia - Australian Visa and Immigration Services Online - Live in Australia

In no particular order, I was ''advised'' to.....

1. Go on a 457 sponsored visa

2.Told I ''qualified'' now pay £xxx and we'll tell you how.

3. Told I didn't qualify and I could go in a pool in case they dropped the points limit in the next 2 years.

4.I could go on a skilled visa.

I scored 95 points, 100 points and 140 points. One of them didn't give me a total.

The recurring theme is they all want my money with absolutely no guarantee of getting a visa. If I was that keen to throw away nearly £2k I could think of better ways.


Where can I go for some solid advice which won't cost a fortune just to find out if I really can qualify to emigrate? It's such a minefield out there and I don't want to get my fingers burnt.


Bones.

[kazmatt]

we used an agent called ambler collins, and to be honest, i cannot complain, i think if you tell them your situation they will give you an honest reply. just type there name into your search engine and you should get their details.

[KP Nuts]

Hi Bones, and welcome to PIO.

We are using an agent called Go Matilda, who have been great, up front and answer all our questions very quickly. But none of these agents can guarantee you a visa, that's up to the case officer along way down the line.

Good luck

KP Nuts

[MACDONALDO67]

Funny you should post this. A couple of years ago we went on a site called "Migration Expert.com" who, as far as I can remember, said similar things and wanted either 175 or 250 pounds up front.

Didn't want to pay at the time because I was playing with the idea. Since then I've been getting emails from them but deleting them.

I wonder if that is a similar site to what you are stating here.

See this link because there is some useful info in it with a contact number from other people who have used agents before :-

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migrat...s-england.html

See post from Melannie Marriot. That's the number I will be calling first and probably using the numbers from the guys listed in above posts.

[FurryFred]

Know how you feel especially with number 2 on the list.

[Bones]

Thanks guys. Mac-great link there.
My eyes are pointing in different directions with so much reading!

[Gollywobbler]

Hi Bones

I recommend that you telephone Go Matilda in Southampton and Ian Harrop & Associates, near Oxford, on Monday.

Either firm is more than happy to get somebody to discuss your situation with you for 15 minutes or so (which is long enough for an experiencd Agent to be able to work out and describe to you what your optionsare.) Neither firm seeks to charge for this initial conversation because they won't accept instructions from you if they don't think they can get you a reasonable visa (by which I do not mean flog you a student visa and hang the rest.) Both Agencies are totally reputable.

Alan Collett is the boss of Go Matilda. He contributes regularly on here.

Tony Coates works with Ian Harrop. Tony regularly contributes to PiO too, as Welshtone.

The contact details are here:

Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - Contact and Feedback

Registered Australian Migration Agents, UK - Ian Harrop and Associates

In the meantime, you might well be able to calculate your points total yourself. Please try the following links:

A-Z Occupations List - Australian Skills Recognition Information

What is the points test? - Workers - Visas & Immigration

Workers - Visas & Immigration

Information Booklets - Applications & Forms - Visas & Immigration

Sing out if you need any help. Somebody on hete can probably answer any questions you might have as you plough through the DIAC website.

Cheers

Gill

[MACDONALDO67]

Very handy thread this with loads of details and contacts, thanks.

[Bones]

Thanks for the links Gill, I'll be calling them on Monday.

[calNgary]

we filled the on line assesmnet and got a call from visa bureau too ,,i must admit at first i was wary but this company where excellent from day 1 and i would definately recommend them.Go matilda are another company who constantly get good feedback on here,i dont think youd go far wrong with either,,
Cal x