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| Migration Officer?; ...in the United States | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 25 2008, 12:05:48 AM (666 Views) | |
| chocopaws | Mar 25 2008, 12:05:48 AM Post #1 |
True Blue Mate
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Hi all
 I was wondering if there are special agents or migration officers here in the states that I can contact with help in getting my Prospective Spouse visa. The bf and I want to make sure everything is done quickly to minimize delays but we feel kind of overwhelmed with all of the stuff we have to do. It would be kind of nice if we had someone to help us... someone who can tell us what we need to do at every step of the way. Oh, by the way, we are both currently living in the states. He is an Aussie citizen. Any help would be greatly appreciated! - Christina |
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| pastrycook-136 | Mar 25 2008, 01:53:39 AM Post #2 |
True Blue Mate
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Hi, I am not sure if there are Australian migration agents in the US but there are many in Australia. I used ASA (Australia-migration.com) and did everything online. I was very pleased with their services. Migration agents operating in Australia have to hold a license from the government and they are up to date with all of the many changing rules, regulations, and different visa types. They represent you and deal with DIAC on your behalf. Those operating outside Australia are not bound by any regulations. |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| chocopaws | Mar 25 2008, 03:18:04 AM Post #3 |
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True Blue Mate
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Oooh very helpful information! Thank you so much - I will get in contact with them right now.
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| chocopaws | Mar 26 2008, 12:25:16 AM Post #4 |
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True Blue Mate
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Hi guys, I've been in contact with what seems to be a very knowledgeable gentleman at ASA and he gave me a quote for the prospective spouse visa - roughly $4,330 AUD. Their cost breakdown is as follows: DIMIA, Application fee payable to Immigration department - 1,390.00 AUD. ASA, Professional Fees - 2,500.00 AUD 3rd Party, Couriers, mail processing fees - 440.00 AUD It appears that ASA charges $2,500 AUD for their assistance. Is this pretty much the going rate for services such as theirs? I feel so clueless when it comes to these kinds of things. LOL |
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| pastrycook-136 | Mar 26 2008, 12:09:31 PM Post #5 |
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True Blue Mate
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I was charged a similar fee for full service. ASA also offers less expensive less service options too. I don't know about others but you might want to shop around. As I said before I was very pleased with them and recommend them, :goodonya: Jed |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| chocopaws | Mar 27 2008, 04:19:58 AM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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Thanks, Jed. I'm impressed with their friendly yet professional attitude. I think I will just go ahead and start the process through them. I emailed inquiries to a couple of other places I found on the web but it's already been three days and nobody else has even bothered to answer. With ASA they always answer within a couple of hours.
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| (kolohe) | Mar 27 2008, 08:26:03 AM Post #7 |
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True Blue Mate
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We did not use a migrant agent for my spouse visa. The forms seemed quite easy and we just filled out the forms and did what they asked. When I had a question I just called my immgration worker and she helped me over the phone. Probably saved us heaps of money. |
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| JenbeTas | Mar 27 2008, 12:45:53 PM Post #8 |
Hippie Wannabe sailing the deep blue sea
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I was just about to pop in and say the same thing. It's relatively easy and if you get stuck, most everyone here can offer some advice (although we are not migration agents. We do have one that pops in from time to time though!). I honestly wouldn't waste the money on a migration agent and from what I've seen, many just piddle around and just make the process longer. It's honestly a waste of money because it's a rather easy process. The waiting is the only real nightmare! Are you having any trouble specifically, something you don't understand? In my opinion, it will be much faster if you just read everything carefully, frontload as much as you can and forget the migration agent. (No offense Peter! LOL) |
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| shylady | Mar 27 2008, 12:48:07 PM Post #9 |
oldYank
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:wave: another success story, doing my own Prospective Marriage Visa application. :goodonya: Lisa in Perth |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| shylady | Mar 27 2008, 12:55:35 PM Post #10 |
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oldYank
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Keep in mind you also need the medical exam, which runs anywhere from $250 to $500, depending on the panel doctor you see (mine was $408, in Minneapolis, MN). I don't think their 3rd-party fees is enough to cover that... |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| TerritorianTori | Mar 27 2008, 03:35:51 PM Post #11 |
It couldn't happen here
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Here's what our resident migration agent (ptlabs) has to say on his website: http://ptlabs.com.au/visas/faq.php#basic004 Why should or shouldn't I use a migration agent? An agent is very useful if you have the money but not the time, or if you have an unusual case (unclear work experience, criminal record, prior immigration offences, medical problems etc.). If your case is straightforward, it is possible to apply without the aid of an agent, provided you have a firm understanding of what is required. Usually extensive research is necessary before one is able to lodge a visa application, especially if it's a skilled visa application. If you decide to engage a migration agent, ensure he/she is a registered migration agent by checking his/her credentials at http://www.themara.com.au/Online/ARSearch.asp?DeptID=140. Agents' fees are not regulated, so feel free to get a few quotes before engaging a registered agent. Like others here, we found the visa process (for a spouse visa) to be straightforward enough to do ourselves, and got a lot of help/tips by reading stories on websites like this one. However, if I was doing a skilled visa I'd probably use an agent for sure...that one is way more involved! Bottom line, though, it depends on how you feel. And Jed... dude, ASA ought to be kissing your boots (or kicking you some advertising $$) for all the recommendations you've given on here! hehehe. :)) |
 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| chocopaws | Mar 27 2008, 11:49:43 PM Post #12 |
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True Blue Mate
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Where would I find an immigration officer in the states? I guess this is why I was thinking I would need a migration agent. I feel like I have so many stupid questions! 
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| chocopaws | Mar 27 2008, 11:50:47 PM Post #13 |
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True Blue Mate
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if I end up doing it on my own (which is highly likely now, seeing as I would like to not spend an extra $2500), you may be getting a lot of questions from me!! :mrgreen: |
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| JenbeTas | Mar 28 2008, 04:27:21 AM Post #14 |
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Hippie Wannabe sailing the deep blue sea
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Ask away darling! That's one of the reasons we are all here! :hugs: |
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| shylady | Mar 28 2008, 09:32:06 AM Post #15 |
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oldYank
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Exactly! :hugs:  That's what got me here a few years ago, and everyone on YDU was wonderful, answered all my questions, and helped me keep what little sanity I had :mrgreen:
When you lodge your application in the US you are assigned a case officer at the dept of immigration in Washington DC, and they are usually good at answering questions. Good luck! You've got lots of help, here. I love your chocopaws, is he/she an Oriental? :hugs: Lisa in Perth |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| pastrycook-136 | Mar 28 2008, 01:26:06 PM Post #16 |
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True Blue Mate
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My visa is a skilled independant 136 visa. Filling out the government forms for the main visa application was fairly easy. Getting the information, many documents, and photos needed ready for the skills assessment was lengthy and difficult and I was also working many hours at two jobs during the entire application process. This is the main reason I used a migration agent. They asked me for more information several times to strengthen my case before submitting it to get assessed. Since I am 40 I lose some points towards the points test due to older age and I really had to maximize my points to be eligable for this visa. I had originally put "baker" as my nominated occupation but ASA changed it to "pastrycook" because this occupation carried more points as it is on the MODL list. I earned the extra points and I just passed. People who are appliying for a spouse visa do not have a points test or age restrictions and they have the advantage of two people working together to get the visa. Had I been getting a spouse visa I would probably not have needed an agent. In my case while I was hard at work at two jobs it was nice to know that someone was also working with me for the visa. Jed |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| chocopaws | Mar 29 2008, 04:44:23 AM Post #17 |
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True Blue Mate
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Jed - I totally agree. Getting your skilled migration visa appears to be so much more difficult than a spousal or prospective spousal visa. If I were trying to go on a skilled migration visa, I would DEFINITELY take your route.
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| chocopaws | Mar 29 2008, 04:53:20 AM Post #18 |
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True Blue Mate
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Jenn and Lisa - I love how everybody seems to be so supportive of each other here. I printed out all of the forms/brochures I could find online and will be perusing through them this weekend! Lisa - Yup, Chocopaws is a Siamese Seal Point. I think he might be mixed but not 100% sure. He was a stray that I picked up from a local rescue group. So my first question: my boyfriend needs to fill out form 40SP (Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia) and I need to fill out from 47SP (Application for migration to Australia by a partner)... right? |
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| Caligirl | Mar 29 2008, 09:57:38 AM Post #19 |
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True Blue Mate
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That's right! Since I just went through this process, I am more than happy to also add my counsel/advice. Ask any questions you'd like! |
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Kristen (from SF>NC>DC>NYC>Singapore>Sydney in May '08!) Go Blue Devils! Spousal Visa Granted March 28th, 2008...in just 25 days!!! | |
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| chocopaws | Mar 29 2008, 12:38:26 PM Post #20 |
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True Blue Mate
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That's great! How lucky for me!!! :mrgreen: Ok my next question - what counts as a "certified copy of Australian citizen's birth certificate"? My boyfriend was born in Australia and his birth certificate is in Hawaii with his mom (while he and I are in California).
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7:49 PM May 19