Migration Agents in Australia are experts in Australian Migration Law. Highly educated in, and up to date in, Australian Migration Law and Departmental policies which are used to interpret the legislation (which the Department makes its decisions based on). We’re governed by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), & bound by a Code of Conduct. We’re required to maintain a professional library of legislation and policy which must be kept up-to-date, and we’re required to complete continual professional development (CPD) studies every year to keep abreast of the constantly changing rules and politics. And we need to pass stringent security and character checks. It's also illegal for non-registered agents to give immigration advice in Australia.
We can:
- Assess your initial suitability for a visa
- Choose the most suitable visa class/subclass for you
- Plan a strategy for a successful application
- Provide checklists of your requirements
- Arrange for English language assessments (IELTS examinatons), employment skills assessments (TRA, VETASSESS and others), health and/or character checks if necessary
- Check all documents for accuracy and suitability
- Certify documents
- Prepare and submit the completed application professionally
- Monitor progress and keep you informed
- Liaise with the Department of Immigration & Citizenship on your behalf when required
- Arrange for merits review at Tribunals when required (when problems exist)
Basically? All of the above. But we try to do it better, and with a human touch! We know that immigration is one of the most major and sometimes scary steps in life that any person will undertake, and we know that the hopes and dreams of often many people are tied-up in the outcome. Failures are traumatic, and can usually be avoided by experienced and skilled handling. We leave nothing to chance!
We also have many years experience with the culture and bureaucracy of the Philippines. We live and work there much of the year. Mila (a qualified teacher) was born and educated there, and gives invaluable insight and support when cross-cultural confusion and miscommunication sets in. “Ate Mila” (Auntie) has helped and calmed many worried visa applicants over the years. She’s particularly good at dealing with Filipinas. She takes personal care of the many brides and brides-to-be who are going through the spouse/partner visa and prospective marriage (fiancee) visa processes.
We can (and do):
- Provide step-by-step guidelines and checklists for each visa category outlining all the requirements for a successful application
- Write a comprehensive legal submission to accompany your application, outlining how your application meets the essential criteria
- Find solutions for those really difficult cases where you think you have little hope, or where you've had a visa cancelled or an application refused
- For Philippines-based applications, these guidelines can include guidance for acquiring Philippines-sourced ID’s, birth certificates, passports, police clearances, certification of eligibility to marry, etc, and how to avoid fake documents which will get you into trouble every time!
- A special 90-page guidebook entitled “Making It Easier” is available exclusively and free for those in cross-cultural marriages and partnerships, with some fairly enlightening insights into the cultural differences that can cause unnecessary misunderstandings (especially during long absences) and can cause problems with your visa application. It comes with a Tagalog-translated supplement too. And we can and will give personal advice to either party if required. We’ve been through it all ourselves, and are happy to help
- We have an office in Manila with support staff who can meet you (or your fiance) at the airport and escort you to appointments, such as medical checks and the all-important Embassy interviews. They will not leave you alone for a minute, and will take you to a safe hotel afterwards and on to the airport the next day
- We check your final application very thoroughly, and present it in a clear and understandable form which decreases the chances of problems and delays occurring
Legal assistance for migration issues
- Disclaimer: Neither the principals or any staff members of Down Under Visa are attorneys or lawyers in the Philippines, nor do we ever claim to be anything other than migration agents and consultants.
- Annulments - There is no legal divorce in the Philippines. We have Family Law specialist attorneys who can take care of this for you. We can save you time and money, as well as uncertainty.
- Fake documents? Surprisingly common in the Philippines. Actual fake papers, or just wrong information entered at the time for a variety of reasons. We can help you to sort these out, and to get you back on the track of applying for an Australian visa.
- And note, we insist that our Attorney colleagues do things by the book, as the Department and the Embassy take a very dim view of fake documents. Don't risk quick-fixes! They will invariably come back and bite you!
- We can provide the services of a Private Investigator in the Philippines. Not sure if you're getting the whole story? Not 100% sure that things are exactly as you're being told they are? Want to take the plunge, but you have some niggling doubts?
Let us know, and we can help! CONTACT US
However, we have a network of trusted Philippines-registered attorneys and other specialist personnel who can assist in legal issues that must be dealt with under Philippines Law. And these are trusted and efficient legal specialists who will not take advantage of your Westerner Dollars.
What about fake or unregistered agents?
Download the DIAC .pdf factsheet Using a Migration Agent in Australia
Read some emails from victims of Philippines-based fake agents HERE
Online migration "advice" forums? Good idea? Read HERE from my BLOG.
Costs vary a lot, depending on the visa type applied-for. And it depends on the complexity of the particular case. Go HERE to see the average agent fees charged for services by Migration Agents in Australia (courtesy of MARA). Government Visa Application Charges are separate, as are any additional application fees and expenses. We tend to be down the lower end of the average-fee scale (our clients tell us we are VERY reasonable in our charges!). Rest assured that for each case and client we will give you a fixed price for the preparation of your application, agreed upon and contracted before any work gets done. And in most cases we’re happy for you to pay in installments.
We can give you a quotation when you complete our free online assessment for visa eligibility.
