[jackjson]

Hello there.

My wife and I have decided to use a migration agent for the 801 & 820 partner visa and we have some questions about what to look for in a good agent.

1. What can I expect to pay on average for an agent in this case?
2. What is the typical payment plan? What should I expect? Do we have to pay everything upfront? A deposit? I have heard some agents only ask for payment upon successful application.
3. Guarantees? One a friend recommended claims he can guarantee success. Is this a red flag?

Thanks, I appreciate any answers and help.

 

[Mania]

1) depends on the agent, for the full application expect a few thousand - there's a lot of work involved for them.

2) I paid everything up front, however my agent asked for it to be paid in stages, it went into a trust account and was periodically invoiced based on the work.

3) unless your friend is Peter Dutton, then No they can't guarantee a grant, yes it would be a red flag.

 

[ampk]

[QUOTE
My wife and I have decided to use a migration agent for the 801 & 820 partner visa and we have some questions about what to look for in a good agent.

1. What can I expect to pay on average for an agent in this case?

** I expect for a basic to medium application plan on $3,000 - $5,000 for a hard application $5,000 to $7,000 or more. It all depends on your case.

2. What is the typical payment plan? What should I expect? Do we have to pay everything upfront? A deposit? I have heard some agents only ask for payment upon successful application.

*** Varies lots - not uncommon is 1/2 the quote to start - balance to submit application.

3. Guarantees? One a friend recommended claims he can guarantee success. Is this a red flag?

*** Get new friends!

 

[CCMS]

Apart from a price and payment arrangement that suits you, look for experience( first 2 numbers of the agent registration number is first year of registration), good communication and good reviews.

Most agents will ask for a 50 % deposit up front and the rest before the application is lodged.

No win/ no fee arrangements usually have more small print than an insurance policy. Nothing is free.

No agent can guarantee an outcome and it is in fact illegal to do so.

 

[wrussell]

The big print giveth and the small print taketh away.

One senior migration specialist has the policy - No win - No fee - No way!

 

[jackjson]

Thanks for the responses! I am also curious about how the visa application fee is usually handled? I read on the dept of home affairs site that we can still pay it ourselves instead of going through the middle man.

 

[CCMS]

Thanks for the responses! I am also curious about how the visa application fee is usually handled? I read on the dept of home affairs site that we can still pay it ourselves instead of going through the middle man.

And what would be the point of that?

You could provide the agent with your credit card details, I suppose or you possibly could find another way to complicate things.