I am in the process of putting together our application for a skilled independant visa. I have my skills assessed (architect) and am awaiting my wifes assessment to be returned (teacher) for the five bonus points. Once I had these points we were going to issue our application, but reading this web site and other documents I am wondering wether I should employ an agent. I feel like I have done all the hard work getting skills assessed, certified copies of everything, but would employing an agent give me an extra edge even if we pass the points test?
I know what the agents will say but what do you guys think?

I and my family are using an agent for everything on a 136 application. It all seems to be a very lengthy business anyway without hitting any unforseen slip ups, we don't want to double the time. Due to our ages we cannot afford to have to repeat the procedure and need it right first time. We are going with Alan Collett and so far things through Alan seem pretty good.

I am sure that it is quite possible to do it all alone but for us the knowledge that all the leg work is done and stupid errors avoided is worth the cost. Experience is one thing we don't want ourselves.

Only you would be able to assess your own needs and I am sure they are likely to differ in respect to ours, either equal, better, or worse. It may come down to a simple choice, could you afford a repeat if needed, - either financially or as a substancial delay? Is taking the risk however small giving a saving for your circumstances over using an Agent?

I'd only bother using an agent if I thought that I had a difficult case - have you seen how expensive they are (on top of all the skills assessments and DIMIA fee)????

Larissa

Larissa,

There is the counter argument that says can you afford to get it wrong ...?

Best regards.

quote:

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Originally posted by Larissa:
I'd only bother using an agent if I thought that I had a difficult case - have you seen how expensive they are (on top of all the skills assessments and DIMIA fee)????

Larissa

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Alan Collett
alan-at-gomatilda-dot-com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534
and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
http://www.gomatilda.com and
http://www.collettandco.co.uk
Offices in Southampton, England; Perth, Australia; and Melbourne, Australia

we decided to use an agent as we figured that we only had one shot at this and what if we got it wrong whereas the agents know everything there is to know regarding migration.

I think using an agent was a wise investment for us.