Archive for July 2016

All You Wanted to Know About Immigration Consultants in Australia

Migration to a new country is a long-drawn and daunting task. While some people need no help and are able to get all forms and fill out the necessary paperwork, form their case and present it in front of the approval panel all by themselves, a small mistake like a wrong category, an outdated form etc. could seriously jeopardize your entire application. Hence, it definitely makes sense for you to hire an experienced immigration consultant to help you through the entire process and take a significant amount of the load off your shoulders.

Here’s why it makes sense to hire experienced Australia immigration consultants:

– They are already up to date with all programs, visa types, and schemes and will be able to pick out the best one for you.

– If you apply all by yourself, you will probably have a weak application, and also one that is replete with errors, prone to being refused. The consultant is always updated with latest terms and any issues, so he will be able to help you draft a solid application which is accepted on the first attempt itself, saving you time and money.

– The consultant would also handle all documentation and paperwork and ensure that everything is in order.

Before you go out and hire a consultant, there are a few things you need to know.

Immigration Consultants Are Not Immigration Lawyers

An immigration consultant has no legal right to represent you or your immigration petition in the immigration court, or, for that matter, answer any interview questions on your behalf. The immigration lawyer can do all these things and also provide sound legal counsel in all matters regarding immigration.

What Australia Immigration Consultants Actually Do

Besides explaining the entire process to you at length and being by your side throughout the entire process, the immigration consultant will provide assistance with filling forms, applications, petitions and all necessary documentation. They provide end-to-end support and expedite the entire process, saving you a lot of effort and time. They also find the weak points of your case and eliminate them so that the best possible application is put forward and accepted instantly.

What Immigration Consultants Do Not Do

A consultant works entirely on the back end, that is, familiarizes you with the formalities and helps with the paperwork. He will not tell you what to do or say during the interview, provide legal advice about different types of applications or claim to be qualified to handle legal matters or naturalization and immigration procedures. They are not allowed to represent your case before the USCIS either.

Should I Hire a Consultant?

It definitely seems very appealing to make your own case and do everything by yourself. Very soon, however, you will be faced with a mountain of unintelligible paperwork, which if filled incorrectly will lead to rejection of the application. Unless you are an expert and are well-versed with all legalities and issues related to immigration, you should definitely hire a consultant. They would tell you if you are eligible for the particular visa type and also help you with translated versions of the guidelines if you need them. It is vital that you find a consultant who is actually good at what he does, and possesses the necessary expertise to take you through to the finish line. Do research, background verification and also see reviews of the agency before putting pen to paper and finalizing the contract.