If you are reading this, you might be looking for migration agents or lawyers to take care of your Australian visa matter right now.
But before you fork out the money to pay one, I urge you to do your own diligence by doing some research and asking the right questions.
“Why?” you might ask. “The whole point of paying someone is to dump my matter on them right?”
Well, migration is a life-changing matter and very expensive to some. More importantly, most applications take years to be processed.
This means that you will have a continuing relationship with your agents/lawyers and I believe that you want to be working with someone that you are comfortable with.
So, start grilling them during consultations and don’t be afraid to ask the difficult questions (Especially if it is a paid consultation)!
PS: The list below is not exhaustive but I was simply reminded of these points based on a few recent client interactions.
1. Proper Accreditation (IMPORTANT)
Questions: Are you a registered migration agent (RMA) with the Migrations Agents Registration Authority (MARA) or an Australian legal practitioner?
In Australia, only migration agents and lawyers are legally allowed to provide migration advice. You should check the MARA register or the legal services board to ensure that they are actually licenced.
If you end up using someone who is not properly licenced, you put yourself at risk of migration fraud by someone who has poor knowledge on immigration procedures or does not actually provide the service for you. Moreover, it could be a scam.
This is supported by Jason Wood, Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, in his media release on 24 August 2019. You can see his statements in this link here.
2. Honesty From Migration Agents
Questions: What are the chances of getting this visa? How long will it take? Are there other pathways? Which is the recommended path and why?
I have seen many migration agents recommending a longer pathway, for example, multiple visas before getting Permanent Residency (PR). This means a lot more costs for you.
However, most of the time, the applicant did not actually need to do that.
You should also note that immigration policies are constantly subject to change. Therefore, a good agent will advise you of the real risks of going through a long pathway and explain the rationale behind it.
3. Responsiveness And Point of Contact
Questions: When is my agent or lawyer contactable? Who will be working on my matter?
Some firms are set up more like a factory process where there are multiple teams to handle different stages of the process.
For example, the sales team will handle all enquiries and consultations. Once you engage their services, you will be passed onto the operations team, etc.
Therefore, you should clarify beforehand how your matter will be handled and who the point of contact is.
4. Fee Structure And Full Costs Disclosure
Questions: What are all foreseeable costs? Is it a fixed fee or per-hourly rate? What services does this fee include? Under what circumstances can I get a refund?
Knowing these amounts will save you from getting a rude shock later on when you are asked to pay more for the next step of the application.
According to the MARA Code of Conduct, the service agreement has to include a full costs disclosure and to specify the services provided for the fee.
Having all these set in stone will also make any dispute or legal action easier to settle in the future.
5. Sound Advice
Questions: Does the advice make sense? Can this advice be supported by any credible online source? Is there a backup plan?
While some migration agents might be reluctant to share their source of information, you should still ask if the advice is based on the law, their experience or simply their conjecture.
Do be wary of those that say “Yes, we can definitely get the visa for you” because this could constitute as “false or misleading advertising” by the agent since the MARA Code of Conduct prohibits guaranteeing the success of an application.
Good agents/lawyers will also tell you what happens if the application is refused and how they can help to resolve the situation.
Basically, you want a representative who has foresight and is able to plan a solid strategy for you.
Conclusion
Armed with the above information, you should now be ready to attend your consultation.
Unfortunately, there are always black sheep in every industry and I will say it again – Do your due diligence and do not simply take someone’s word for it.
Just like seeing a doctor for a second opinion, I recommend that you see more than one agent before making the final decision.
If you would like to speak with us, feel free to fill up our contact form.
Good luck and I wish you the very best!
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