Hi All! Just to give some tips.
We asked for an agent's assistance for my SE visa application. My application timeline:
Application: November 20, 2018
Acknowledgment: November 23, 2018
February 15, 2019: Request for Police clearance from National Investigation in our country; and other evidence of relationship.
In following this thread, I learned that there is this thing called decision-ready application and read about it online. I then realized that there are documents that we didn't submit, and it was not required by our agent. I don't want to think that it was a lapse from our agent but they should know better. So in helping others, who may apply on their own, here is my take (based on my experience and reading other tips here) on how we could save time and lessen the processing time.
1. Learn how to apply for the visa first. Then, weigh the pros and cons of applying on your own or though a visa agent. Usually, we think that it is easier and faster if we seek assistance from visa agents. And they know better than we do. But based on my experience, it is by reading online that I learned what should and shouldn't do in applying visa. It is also good to ask questions to an agent before deciding.
2. Make a timeline in completing the requirements needed, and complete it in a shortest period of time - so you could apply as early as possible.
3. With regards to the requirements, if you think there are things or documents that could be submitted, that could be of help to grant your visa, attach it. For this part, agents have a checklist of requirements for a decision-ready application. Based on what I read online, there is a qualification. If an agent didn't arrange the documents properly, thrice, they will lose the "access" to this checklist. I don't know how true is this, but then again, we all know agents know better. So they should know about this checklist.
4. If you were asked to provide additional documents, again, provide everything in the shortest period of time. We were given a month to fulfill the request but you don't have to wait until the last minute. It is best to act right away to lessen the waiting time.
I think this is all. I will add more if I learn something new. I haven't received my visa yet, kinda sad but I am looking forward to it. Patience. Good luck to us all.