Why would I use the services of a Migration Agent to apply for an Australian visa?
Is it possible to apply for a visa by myself?
The short answer is yes – it possible to submit your own visa application but the real question is, should you? To break it down to a more everyday example, it’s a bit like using an Accountant to assist with your tax return. You could do it yourself, but in most cases, the experienced professional will make the process easier, and give you a better chance of getting the best results. Here are five reasons to use a Migration Agent to assist with your visa application:
- Expertise: A good Migration Agent should be able to demonstrate broad experience in the immigration industry. They will use their expertise to make sure you are applying for the most appropriate visa type for your individual circumstances. They will then apply their skills and knowledge to ensure that your application has the best possible chance of being approved. If possible, ask around your contacts and see if anyone has a personal recommendation on which Migration Agent to use. Research the Migration Agent and the firm they work for, and read any reviews you can find. And of course, make sure you use an Agent with current MARA registration – more on this below.
- Time saving: Visa applications involve a mountain of paperwork, filling in forms and uploading of documents in specific formats. Migration Agents have processes in place to have this done efficiently on your behalf, and once you provide the documents and information they have asked for, they will do all the hard, time-consuming work on the preparation of your application and importantly, will ensure that it is as complete and accurate as possible.
- Changes and updates: The Department of Home Affairs constantly reviews and updates their visa processes, and has been known to announce major changes to some visa streams with little or no notice. A registered Migration Agent will be one of the first to know of any changes and will act quickly on your behalf if your matter is affected.
- Follow up and communication: Your Migration Agent should handle your case from your initial enquiry, right through until a decision is reached on your case. They should be in contact with you every step of the way and will explain any complex information such as visa conditions. If the Department of Home Affairs has additional questions about your application, they will also be able to guide you through this process.
- Trust and Accountability: It is important to be able to trust your Migration Agent completely. All registered Migration Agents in Australia are bound by the Code of Conduct, must have appropriate insurance and must have proven their integrity as a fit and proper person to represent your immigration matter. For more information on the Code of Conduct, and to check that a Migration Agent is registered in Australia, visit www.mara.gov.au
At Oz Migration, all of our Migration Agents have over 10 years of post-qualification experience. Our team of specialists provide both individual and business services in the core areas of:
- Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visas (Subclass 482)
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) – Subclass 400 visas
- Permanent residency applications under the Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186 visas (company supported)
- Permanent residency applications under Skilled Independent – Subclass 189 (non-company supported)
- Training – Subclass 407 visas
- Investor and Business Owner visas (high net worth individuals)
- Labour hire agreements (arrangements to allow your business to on-hire to third parties and unrelated entities)
- Partner, Parent and family-based visas
If you would like our team to undertake a visa assessment, please do not hesitate to contact our team at: info@ozmigration.net.au
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Written by Caryn Spry.
Caryn is our Migration Co-ordinator, and has a wealth of experience in Human Resources/Global Mobility. Caryn has worked at Oz Migration for 3 years, and previously worked at a well-known global telecommunications company for over 10 years.
