FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve decided to emigrate, when should I start organizing my visa? Before you start even thinking about anything else, you need to organize a visa for yourself and your dependents. Other family members who want to travel with you, but who are not deemed as your dependents must seek their own visas.
Can I lodge my visa application myself? Yes. Any person can apply for their own visa with the Immigration Department without the assistance of an agent or lawyer. However, difficulties can arise due to mistakes or errors in the application, complex circumstances, missed deadlines or changes in the Law. We recommend that you get a written assessment from a reputable company to help you decide on whether to do it yourself.
Will an agent or lawyer fast-track my application?
No. They cannot guarantee an outcome, however, a professional service should make the process easier for you and could save you time.
Do I need a migration agent or lawyer? It depends on the complexity of your situation. An experienced agent or lawyer with a good understanding of how other areas of Law overlap with Migration Law are suitable for most visa applications and Tribunal matters that look at the merits of the case. A legal expertise is required for court appearances given that the court considers whether a legal mistake has been made by the decision-maker. The court looks for legal mistakes it can do something about as “questions of law” or “jurisdictional errors”.
How much will it cost?
There are no set fees, and charges must be reasonable. We recommend that you obtain quotes from a few reputable companies. Bearing in mind those elements that may affect the price:
- Certain visas require more work than others.
- Complexities of your case.
- Number of dependant family members.
- The company the agent or lawyer works for, and it's success rate.
- Experience, qualifications and reputation of the agent or lawyer.
Can I use an agent or lawyer operating outside the country I want to move to? Yes. However, bear in mind that agents who operate outside Australia may not be registered with the Australian government, which may diminish quality. Whereas, any person who gives NZ immigration advice anywhere in the world must be licensed, with the exception of certain occupations, including NZ Lawyers, who do not appear on the NZ register.
Do you provide relocation services? No. However, we provide access to our referral network of relocation management and financial consultants.
