Why use a Registered Migration Agent?

There are several good reasons for visa applicants to engage the services of a registered immigration consultant like Noosa Migration Services Australia. Please consider the following reasons.

Immigration consultants have an in-depth knowledge of the criteria to be satisfied for each type of visa subclass and they will assist applicants walk through the maze of government requirements which will be beneficial to visa applicants as it will save them time and it will be a less stressful process for them.

The visa application charge payable to the government by applicants when they lodge their application is substantial, usually in the thousands of dollars. If a mistake is made or a time limit is missed which results in a visa being refused, the visa applicant will not receive a refund of the fees paid and they may be prohibited from re-applying for a visa for up to 2 years. This can be devastating for some applicants. Immigration consultants are required to hold professional indemnity insurance cover as a means to protect applicants in the event a consultant is negligent.

Immigration consultants are regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) which is attached to the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). The MARA is responsible for the administration of laws regulating immigration consultants and one of their tasks is to ensure that immigration consultants are and remain fit and proper persons to be registered. Immigration consultants are required to comply with MARA's Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct can be found on the MARA website, click here.

Migration laws and policies constantly change so it is important that there is no delay in lodging applications. Also, the rules and time limits regarding visa applications are strict. If an applicant fails to comply with what seems to be a minor requirement, or misses a time limit, the visa application may be refused. Immigration consultants will ensure that all necessary time limits are met.

Immigration consultants are required as part of their registration to maintain a professional library. This must include not only the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994, but also the portfolio policies and procedures. Departmental policy plays an important part in decision making and if a visa applicant does not have access to these policy guidelines it may be difficult to determine whether a visa application will be successful. Immigration consultants are required to be familiar with and apply such policy guidelines and adhere to relevant requirements when submitting applications on behalf of applicants.

It could be considered false economy for a visa applicant to conduct their own application in an endeavour to save money rather than employ the services of a specialist immigration consultant who will utilise their skills to obtain a visa for a reasonable fee. Engaging an immigration consultant will not guarantee the grant of a visa but it will give an applicant confidence and the best possible chance to be granted a visa due to the high level of the consultant’s expertise and knowledge of the migration process.  

Numerous visa applications lodged by applicants without the assistance of an immigration consultant are refused by DIBP due to a failure of the applicant to properly address and understand the basic criteria to be satisfied for each visa subclass. It is not just the case of filling out a form from DIBP’s website. Immigration consultants use checklists and other techniques to ensure that all criteria are properly addressed and all requirements for a successful visa application are met.