Agency or no agency, that is the question!

[Guest crafty1]

:unsure:Hello everyone,

Just trying to get some advice on whether it's worth paying an agency to get the required visa or to go it alone?

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Melanie

[Guest 8788jt]

Hi Melanie

 

We went it alone but Hubby has only ever worked for one company and so the forms weren't too much of an issue.

 

Maybe you could call around a few and see what they say but if you think your application is quite simple then with support from here if you need it, you should be ok (thats only my opinion, mind !)

 

Good luck - Joanne

[calNgary]

This question as been asked many times and i think it boils down to personal choice and finance availavble.We used Visa Bureau as our agents and it was worth every penny ,if i had to do it all again id do exactly the same.Having someone to double check everything and there to answer your questions or queries was a good stress buster!!!it cost us 3,500 gbp for agent ,visa and med fees,

Cal x

[Life on easy street]

Check out this tread

 

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/26505-agency-go-alone-new-post.html

[Guest Sashabee]

Hiya,

I don't know if different visas are more complicated than others, but I did my application myself (Prospective Marriage Visa). It was quite stressful, confusing and time-consuming, especially getting all the extra information together that you have to submit with your application, but I did it and it was approved, so all good there : ) I found the worst thing was the forms weren't always clear, so I had to guess certain things, and was never sure whether I had done something right or not, whereas an agent would know them inside out. But if I had done things wrong, my case officer would have contacted me and put me right - it just might have delayed the process.

Hope that helps!

Sasha

[Guest Susie_x_Chris]

We did ours ourselves. It was a 136 non-MODL. We are very detailed people and our application wasn't so complicated that we needed much advice on the forms. I think, given the type of people that we are, that it was better for us to be in control of it, rather than relying on an agent to tell us what to do and when - yes we are control freaks! There have also been some nightmare stories of people putting their trust in agents because they are supposed to know what they are doing, only for those agents to totally mess up. Don't get me wrong, there have been tales of great agents too. So basically my advice would be if you are confident enough in your own attention to detail and your application is not too complicated e.g. if you have clear and demonstrable qualifications, then go it alone. Also, the forms come with instructions and there is lots of advice available through sites like this if you do have questions. Otherwise, and of course if you can afford it, go with an agent. However, if you do go with an agent, I would strongly recommend that you pick one based on a recommendation from someone else on here rather than trying to find one yourself.

Hope that helps.

Susie

[Guest sparkytallpaul]

hi melanie, thats a question we are trying to answer ourslves?! We think that we are going to go for it ourselves & pay an agent (£285) to just check through the forms & help us with questions/meds/police checks etc.

[Guest cuba267]

hi

There's no right answer. Pros and cons for both. We've done it ourself and , as sasha said, it is a bit stressful. But, on the other hand, you do feel completely up to date with whats going on. You kinda force yourself to get involved in web research etc so you feel, if they were every to contact you about something, you'd have all the info and be on the ball with your answer.

[Guest sparkytallpaul]

is there alot of forms to fill in? what makes it so stressful? Questions questions !!!

[Guest Sandisonsonthemove]

Hi there

 

My OH is a chef and we have decided to go it alone. His TRA application is awaiting assessment and hopefully it will come back positive or I may think we should have gone with an agent! We have already been through the state sponsor application and the main application form and if you have an ounce of common sense you can fill in the form. The difficulty is ensuring that you provide them with the right information and being prepared to spend the time and effort in researching everything so answers are to hand should anything arise. Like I said time will tell if we did the right thing going it alone and unless your trade is particularly tricky to prove work experience why not give it a go.

 

The choice however is completely your own!

 

Good luck with whatever you decide and be sure that the members of PIO will help you as much as they possibly can.

 

Donna

[Dawny]

Hi Melanie, welcome to PIO, I would just like to say that we are so pleased we opted to go with an agent rather than go it alone, I think we would have got in a right mess with all the paper work and application to fill in if it wasn't for our agent guiding us, especially with all the recent changes, Saying that there is an awful lot of people on pio, that have gone it alone, Wishing you luck in which ever you decide,

[dan77]

Hi

 

I am going for it on my own. Information on department site is quite self explanatory...i think so....moreover people here on PIOZ are very helpful..

[Guest AudBod]

My OH is a Police Officer and used to filling in an incredible amount of forms, with meticulous detail. However, we have decided to use an Agent, as I have had 3 jobs in the last 4 years and I feel that the benefit of an Agent will be worthwhile. They will know the correct wording required on cv's and references etc. and the preferred layout, which may make or break the decision on your application. Like anyone else, I don't like paying out money, unless it's necessary. I have spoken to Alan Collett of Go Matilda, who has given me what I reckon is a reasonable quote and I will hopefully be using him, in the near future, when I tie up a few loose ends in the UK.

 

Be wary of what Agents are charging you, Alan broke down his own fees and the fees that are necessary to Vettasses and for the Visa and the overall total. I have heard stories of people getting quotes from Agents, thinking that it was the total fee, only to find that it was only the Agents fees and they still had to pay for their Visa, so effectively the Agents fees ended up about double what they thought.

 

I think that the choice boils down to 3 things:

 

1. Can you afford an agent, or are you on a tight budget ?

 

2. Are you confident, organised and have enough spare time that you can fill in numerous complicated forms and arrange the required documents/information ?

 

3. Is your application straightforward, or a bit more complicated, due to several jobs in recent years, or your cv, may require a bit of 'tweaking' here and there etc ?

 

A good Agent will give you peace of mind, but if you do go alone, as others have said, you will get a lot of good advice and assistance on this Forum from Gill and loads of others who have already been through the process and successfully came out the other side.

 

Aud

[Guest crafty1]

I used this company, in particular a woman called Debbie Chisholm. Cannot recommend her highly enough!:wubclub: She is based in St kilda, Melbourne and have attached her details below.

 

ARIES INTERNATIONAL

Suite 601 St Kilda Towers

1 Queens Rd, Melbourne Victoria 3004

 

Ph: +61 3 9863 8924

Mb: +61 412793369

Fax: +61 3 9863 8925

[andyhus]

I would say look at Audbod above the 3 things as i would agree with this. if you are disorganised or get discouraged easy go for the agent. If not there are usually people on here that will give advice, depending on when they got there visa will depend on if it is up to date.?? If you can afford it use an agent IMO as i would still be in UK if left up to me, I am organised but had a stressful job so visa application would have been neglected!!

Hope it goes well, you could always give it your best shot and see what happens.

[Guest hearty]

I still think it's not worth paying the agency unless you are very very sure they will do a great job. Best is still save the money and do your own homework...it's like paying yourself! As you go along, you'll learn a lot. Using an agency doesn't mean you'll get your visa faster.

[Alan Collett]

The original post on this thread is dated December 2007 ... I dare say Melanie may well be safely ensconced in Australia by now ... :smile:

 

Best regards.

[Guest crafty1]

Thanks everyone.

I am currently, happily living in Melbourne, thanks to my agent!

Melanie

[Alan Collett]

PS. In answer to the question - consider whether you want someone else to take the responsibility and worry away from you. A good agent will steer you through the application process from start to finish. The only downside is that this will involve paying a fee.

[Guest AudBod]

The original post on this thread is dated December 2007 ... I dare say Melanie may well be safely ensconced in Australia by now ... :smile:

 

Best regards.

 

Well spotted Alan, your attention to detail has just shown why a good Agent can be extremely beneficial. :notworthy:

 

Aud

[Guest guest32776]

You definitely need an agency - and even then it won't be simple. The level of bureaucracy in Australian immigration is immense and involves millions of pages of forms, endless hassles and waiting in queues....

 

Charlie

[dan77]

Hi Charlie,

 

I tend to differ with you. I have applied my self, both 176 applicatuon as well as SS for SA. I have got my SS and have uploaded all the documents for 176 application except PCC and Meds. I have completed more than half of the process...as far as I understand. My view after completing all this.....NO NEED FOR AGENCY....AT ALL..... Immi website is one of the best designed website I have seen. All the formalities are clearily stated. Initially devote some time to explore the site. Once you are familiar you will find it quite user friendly. Note down the conditions mentioned and the supporting required (Mentioned clearily for each requirement)...and if you think you can fulfill all those and have proper supporting documents......NO PROBLEM AT ALL.....

 

You definitely need an agency - and even then it won't be simple. The level of bureaucracy in Australian immigration is immense and involves millions of pages of forms, endless hassles and waiting in queues....

 

Charlie

[dan77]

One more thing to say......If you have any doubt ....ask here at PIO. It's very good platform to seek assistance. I have found the members quite helpful and knowledgeable...

[Alan Collett]

Except that PiO is a forum where the well intentioned often make comments based on their own experiences.

 

This is fine when the migration program is relatively stable. However, changes are afoot in the program, and at such times the risk of progressing without agent support increases.

 

When you have been on forums such as this for as long as me you will have seen comments in response to user questions that are factually incorrect because they are based on a situation that no longer pertains.

 

Best regards.

[Richard Gregan]

Are these the changes you are meaning Alan?

 

Migration rules set for revamp