emigration experts?

[The Birmingham Villains]

Hi all,
first time on site after finally deciding the UK was no longer for my family and myself.
I have studied various applications for visas but i am wondering is it worth paying an expert.
I have been reading Australia and NZ magazine and the same company keeps cropping up. The Emigration Group. Has anyone used this company or can anyone recommend a company.

Many Thanks

Kev

[Impatient]

Kev

decision as to whether or not to use an expert will depend on lots of things, most importantly how difficult your particular case is and how long you have to do it.

There are loads of 'experts' on PIO that have done it or are doing it. Some may share your scenario and will be able to offer advice. If you provide a bit more info about your circumstances, we might be able to offer some advice.

Lots of similar threads on here,try doing a search about Agents. Lots of initial free advice from some of them, Go Matilda seem to have a good rep (Alan Collett from GM posts constructively and without trying to snag client on here). Of course, they all charge you for something that you may (or may not) be able to handle yourself.

Give us a go first then take us out for dinner with the cash you might save!

[Gazzer]

Read my testimonial on the OE visas website at Rina Batavia - Emigrated from Leicester to Perth, Australia | Overseas Emigration Visas under Gary & Emma move Downunder! Gazzer!

[Gollywobbler]

Mmmm

I have to say that OE offered me "advice" about my mother's situation that was out of date and therefore inaccurate, so I was not wildly impresed BUT I was asking about a minority visa plus the "stepchild scenario" which we were involved with very rarely crops up with Parents. On the forums, I've only ever seen 2 or 3 other cases where the facts mirror Mum's and there has only been one MRT case where it has happened.

At the time of making Mum's application, I had barely heard of Migration Agents at all, never mind the names of any specific Agents.

If I had told Alan Collett, Ian Harrop, George Lombard or Welshtone,, "This is what I have been told but ALL my legal instincts (which are good) are screaming that this 'advice' is not accurate because it defies modern logic and it is also a completely unreasonable idea," I could have been led to the accurate trough very quickly.

Not knowing any of the Agents at the time (and having never even heard of Internet forums back then either) I figured that the only way forward was to battle it out with DIAC myself. That took FAR longer to do and was EXTREMELY hard work because I've no idea about Immigration Law - I'm a specialist in English Land Law - there is just NO similarity.

I succeeded but with hindsight it would have been SO much easier to have had Go Matilda (only 5 miles or so down the road from me) at my side. As it is, I got Mum the visa on my own but there is still the tax to sort out. I haven't the faintest idea about tax but Alan Collett is a Chartered Accountant in both jurisdictions as well as a Registered Migration Agent and we defo DO need advice from him about the tax issues.

Last time I mentioned Tax to Mum, she said, "I'm going to ask the Bank next time I visit the UK." I roared, "The Banks are the very worst thieves on the entire planet and they know zilch about the tax in Australia for gawd's sake. NO, Mother!" When I told Alan about this, he chuckled quietly and said, "I'll be here for you when Mum is ready." His calm, quiet, steady approach to the process really does impress me. My personal feeling is that he understands that Mum is nearly 90, needs time to adjust to her new status in Oz, and he is on the record as saying, "Don't let the tax tail wag the visa dog," which I'm sure is very wise advice.

Cheers

Gill

[TheArmChairDetective]

I have never met Gill but I know she's "sound".

Maybe she should study to be a RMA

Until she does, I would run what you want to do through the people she suggests.

[the terry's]

Originally Posted by kmbg16949@blueyonder.co.u

Hi all,
first time on site after finally deciding the UK was no longer for my family and myself.
I have studied various applications for visas but i am wondering is it worth paying an expert.
I have been reading Australia and NZ magazine and the same company keeps cropping up. The Emigration Group. Has anyone used this company or can anyone recommend a company.

Many Thanks

Kev

I can't tell where your from or what job you do but we went with Ian Harrop & Assoc based in Burford, oxford. They are great people to deal and can answer all our questions with ease. I have also attended a migration seminar held by the emmigration group, they were great too. It may just depend on where you live as you may have to attend a meeting with the agent instead of doing it over the phone etc. Ian's fees are quite reasonable too about £1,500 + vat (trust me i've had higher quotes than that, much more). At the end of the day it's your personal choice. Hope this helps a bit.

Helen.