Geoff Taylor, UK and New Zealand citizen and founder of The Emigration Group, reviews this important question facing migrants.
Ask yourself a question. When buying or selling a house, would you consider doing so without using the professional services of a solicitor? The answer is…probably not. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, it's a little like walking into a minefield. The same is true when preparing and submitting a Residence application. It is not simply a form filling exercise. The application process for Residence is anything but straightforward. Responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that every aspect of the application is correctly presented, not only in general terms, but down to the last detail. This presents a problem for the migrant who is unlikely to have a thorough knowledge of the complex regulations.
Whilst a limited amount of information is available through general 'self-assessment' guides distributed through Immigration Service offices, this is rarely sufficient. What the public do not have access to are the extensive Operational Manuals made available by the Immigration Services to migration consultants. Every week we receive calls from migrants asking for help because they've found out that things are far more complex than they first thought.
It is important for would be migrants to understand that the operational role of immigration departments of all countries is not to help ensure your residence application succeeds. They are unable to provide any significant personal service. Their role is to simply judge an application, once lodged by applying (not always consistently!) the current rules and regulations that apply.
If your application does not fully meet their criteria for Residence, your application will fail. It's that simple! It makes sense to seek expert help and advice and have your application professionally prepared and to be fully briefed for your interview with immigration if required. This will maximise the prospect of a speedy and successful outcome for your Residence application. This poses the question of how to choose a consultant? There are quite a number to choose from. As a guide there is a 5 point checklist upon which you should make your judgement.
Firstly,
The Emigration Group is dedicated to maintaining a highly professional and ethical approach to migration consultancy. Our Australian based consultant, Florence Buegge- Borshoff, is an Australian Registered Migration Agent, Registration Number 9255934. We have also been members of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment for many years. Anyone seeking advice or assistance concerning migration should deal only with a member of a professional body.
The Emigration Group is dedicated to maintaining a highly professional and ethical approach to migration consultancy. Our Australian based consultant, Florence Buegge- Borshoff, is an Australian Registered Migration Agent, Registration Number 9255934. We have also been members of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment for many years. Anyone seeking advice or assistance concerning migration should deal only with a member of a professional body.
Second,
don't necessarily rely on just a phone call or meeting in a hotel or at your home. Only by visiting the consultancy at their offices will you gain a full and complete impression. If meeting at a hotel, for example, ask to see photographs of the company's offices. Ask what success rate the consultancy has and how long they have been in business? Ask to see letters of testimonial from previous clients. The Emigration Group have received hundreds of unsolicited testimonial letters from clients over the years. A selection of these may be viewed on this website and we recommend you take a few minutes to read some of them.
don't necessarily rely on just a phone call or meeting in a hotel or at your home. Only by visiting the consultancy at their offices will you gain a full and complete impression. If meeting at a hotel, for example, ask to see photographs of the company's offices. Ask what success rate the consultancy has and how long they have been in business? Ask to see letters of testimonial from previous clients. The Emigration Group have received hundreds of unsolicited testimonial letters from clients over the years. A selection of these may be viewed on this website and we recommend you take a few minutes to read some of them.
Thirdly,
don't make your decision on price alone. This can prove disastrous as numerous migrants regularly find out to their cost. (In 1996, Network Migration Services in the UK collapsed leaving hundreds of migrants' dreams shattered – NOTE: This company had no connection with Network Migration Services, who currently operate in South Africa). Some consultants are often more interested in getting prospective migrants' money (through offering unrealistically low fees) than they are about helping give accurate information and presenting a realistic picture of the prospects for gaining a Residence visa. Remember, you are buying a service not a product. After you have paid for it, you can't touch it or take it home. A service is intangible. Paying the lowest price for a service does not mean you are certain to receive good value and obtain a satisfactory result.
Be guided by the following quote from John Ruskin...
don't make your decision on price alone. This can prove disastrous as numerous migrants regularly find out to their cost. (In 1996, Network Migration Services in the UK collapsed leaving hundreds of migrants' dreams shattered – NOTE: This company had no connection with Network Migration Services, who currently operate in South Africa). Some consultants are often more interested in getting prospective migrants' money (through offering unrealistically low fees) than they are about helping give accurate information and presenting a realistic picture of the prospects for gaining a Residence visa. Remember, you are buying a service not a product. After you have paid for it, you can't touch it or take it home. A service is intangible. Paying the lowest price for a service does not mean you are certain to receive good value and obtain a satisfactory result.
Be guided by the following quote from John Ruskin...
'It's unwise to pay too much, but it's unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much you lose a little money, that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it's as well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.'
We work in terms of 'value not volume'. In determining our fees, which are agreed with clients in advance, consideration has been given to the nature of the services performed; the time required; our experience, ability and reputation; the degree of responsibility assumed; and, the benefits that accrue to our clients.
The issue of fees can also be applied to preliminary services such as eligibility assessments. Some consultants may offer free assessments or free consultations. It is wise to be wary of such offers. Why? Because the reality is that you rarely obtain something of value for nothing! Furthermore, this is likely to put you under 'selling pressure.' What's in it for the consultant if they are not at the very least charging for their time? Nothing! Hence they have to 'win your business' at all costs to survive. We like people to experience our service without any selling pressure. As professionals, we take our business seriously. Given you are paying for our time, we are committed to giving you accurate information and sound advice at a consultation. This approach is widely welcomed by our clients.
The issue of fees can also be applied to preliminary services such as eligibility assessments. Some consultants may offer free assessments or free consultations. It is wise to be wary of such offers. Why? Because the reality is that you rarely obtain something of value for nothing! Furthermore, this is likely to put you under 'selling pressure.' What's in it for the consultant if they are not at the very least charging for their time? Nothing! Hence they have to 'win your business' at all costs to survive. We like people to experience our service without any selling pressure. As professionals, we take our business seriously. Given you are paying for our time, we are committed to giving you accurate information and sound advice at a consultation. This approach is widely welcomed by our clients.
Fourthly,
there is also the critical question concerning employment. No one can successfully settle in a new country until they have gained suitable employment. This can pay dividends in another area. For New Zealand migrants, applying under the Skilled Migrant Category, a job offer is often critical to achieve the current pass mark. A consultancy dealing with New Zealand as a destination, who is unable to deliver in this area is of little help to the majority of New Zealand bound migrants. Some consultants claim to offer 'job assistance' of sorts, but this is often limited to selling you lists of companies and advertised vacancies or putting your details on the internet. Neither approach has much chance of success because they don't provide the key successful factor - local representation and a highly personalised and intensive jobsearch service on the ground in your new country.
It is because we are the only U.K. based immigration consultancy dealing with Australia and New Zealand to have invested in permanent jobsearch offices overseas, staffed by our own jobsearch consultants, that so many migrants choose to retain our services. Our combined offices are functioning around the clock. Just think - whilst you are asleep, our consultants are hard at work helping you find employment.
there is also the critical question concerning employment. No one can successfully settle in a new country until they have gained suitable employment. This can pay dividends in another area. For New Zealand migrants, applying under the Skilled Migrant Category, a job offer is often critical to achieve the current pass mark. A consultancy dealing with New Zealand as a destination, who is unable to deliver in this area is of little help to the majority of New Zealand bound migrants. Some consultants claim to offer 'job assistance' of sorts, but this is often limited to selling you lists of companies and advertised vacancies or putting your details on the internet. Neither approach has much chance of success because they don't provide the key successful factor - local representation and a highly personalised and intensive jobsearch service on the ground in your new country.
It is because we are the only U.K. based immigration consultancy dealing with Australia and New Zealand to have invested in permanent jobsearch offices overseas, staffed by our own jobsearch consultants, that so many migrants choose to retain our services. Our combined offices are functioning around the clock. Just think - whilst you are asleep, our consultants are hard at work helping you find employment.
Finally,
what practical assistance is being offered after you have secured your Residence Visa? Successful emigration involves much more than a residence stamp in your passport. Ask what practical help and assistance is available to you if required after you have your Residence Visa. The Emigration Group has invested heavily in an unequalled Resettlement Programme. We have locally based consultants in both Australia and New Zealand who can provide practical help and guidance before and after you have emigrated.
what practical assistance is being offered after you have secured your Residence Visa? Successful emigration involves much more than a residence stamp in your passport. Ask what practical help and assistance is available to you if required after you have your Residence Visa. The Emigration Group has invested heavily in an unequalled Resettlement Programme. We have locally based consultants in both Australia and New Zealand who can provide practical help and guidance before and after you have emigrated.
The Emigration Group is fully committed to providing a quality service, from start to finish. We understand that first impressions speak volumes about a business. From your first point of contact we aim to impress; we produce high quality original literature; make enough time for clients to make them feel 'special'; and ensure that the standard of our work is such to ensure your application receives the attention it deserves..
