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Thread: Visas? - doing it personally or getting a company to do it?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
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    Scotland
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    Default Visas? - doing it personally or getting a company to do it?

    Hi there.

    I was just wondering if people out there who have/or are going through the application process would recommend doing it personally or getting a company to do it?

    Also is it common to get a job offer before you enter the country?

    We have just drastically brought forward out intended date of emigrating and are looking to start the process. Just looking for a bit of advice I guess.

    Thanks

    Karin

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    UK to Christchurch
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    It really is personal preference. We are chosing to use an agent as our case isn't really that straight forward - we have lots of options.

    We are fortunate to have the funds to cover the cost but I know this isn't in the budget for most people, so may be a consideration when making your decision.

  3. #3
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    Jun 2012
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    We lodged our ITA and temp work visa applications last week - we did it all ourselves and managed to get the ITA sent in 3 days after we received it, just by being prepared.

    It really isn't rocket science, but it is a lot of work filling forms in, sourcing documents etc but a pal of mine is using an agent and all they have done is give him a list of the documents he needs and he has to source them anyway!

  4. #4
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    Nov 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by MysticNodule View Post
    but a pal of mine is using an agent and all they have done is give him a list of the documents he needs and he has to source them anyway!
    I would hope they are doing a bit more than this for them. I wouldnt be happy to pay money for just that.

    Our agent has given us a lot of guidance on how to get our necessary points - we are older and have either work experience - me - or qualifications - OH - not both, so not clear cut. We are unable to put in an EOI until we get a job offer so having an agent on board, we hope, will show commitment to future employers that we are serious.

    When we looked at emigrating 15 years ago we were using an agent and they were doing a similar thing to our agent this time.

  5. #5
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    Feb 2008
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    It really isn't rocket science, but it is a lot of work filling forms in, sourcing documents etc but a pal of mine is using an agent and all they have done is give him a list of the documents he needs and he has to source them anyway!
    This is a very common occurrence. Many on the forum have saved ŁKs by doing it themselves. The information is all on the INZ website, or by asking specific questions of INZ, and there are people here who will share experiences.

  6. #6
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    United Kingdom
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    Quote Originally Posted by JandM View Post
    This is a very common occurrence. Many on the forum have saved ŁKs by doing it themselves. The information is all on the INZ website, or by asking specific questions of INZ, and there are people here who will share experiences.
    Agreed - The INZ website is brilliant, if a little difficult to navigate sometimes.

    I really can't understate the value of this forum either - it really is a gold mine of information and really, REALLY helpful people - I haven't come across a single thing to date, that somebody else on this forum hasn't already encountered and been able to give me a steer on.

    The good thing about the forum is that it's not official channels, or government bodies, or other commercial organisations with agendas and vested interests - it's REAL people, just like you and me - and that really gives you a sense of confidence.

  7. #7
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    May 2012
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    Unless you think there's a reason your case is complex, it's doable on your own if you're good at personal admin and organizing things. I've done mine and my case IS somewhat complex. Here's what I did:

    Once the EOI was submitted I requested my police certificates (I needed 3, having lived all over the bloody place)
    Once I got the ITA I scheduled my medical. Since I have a couple of chronic conditions I went to a specialist in advance and got a letter explaining my conditions AND my (excellent, not expensive to manage with meds available in NZ) prognosis.
    I created a spread sheet with all the employer information that required documentation and send off those requests via email.
    I printed my ITA and highlighted the bits that needed: amendment, supporting documentation, explanation in my covering letter

    As I got things, I entered in my spread sheet the date requests went out, the date they were acknowledged (or date received if using a courier delivery confirmation), and date they came back to me.

    In the end I used my cover letter to cross check my spread sheet, bundled all my documentation by section of the ITA with different clips, put them in the courier envelope in the same order and shipped it off to London.

    The NEXT business day I got an email explaining what was missing. I turned those requests around within 12 hours. Took another few weeks to get things back to me, then back to London.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Wellington (from India)
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    If you search in Google for "nz immigration + Residence visa checklist" with the country where you are lodging your application; you probably can get the checklist right there from INZ.

    I too was confused initially when I started applying for Residence visa and I contacted at least 4-5 Authorised Immigration advisors (in India for my case). They asked at least 45K - 50K and that was after submitting EOI. There's lot of hardwork in two points; 1. While filling up EOI forms, 2. Sourcing documents which we can do ourselves if we have time and patience to do it. I ended up doing myself.. Funniest and surprising part was when I explained my situation to one of the Advisers (non-Authorised), she said "it's impossible that I get the approval for my application" and even she said "she can write it on a bond paper that I'll fail". I just decided to drop everything she said and started googling around; there I came to know about ENZ... I found this forum to be on stop solution... .If you wish to go with advisors, choose for Authorised Advisors. I had contacted the adviser locally 'coz there was no authorised advisors around Bangalore. I think there's a requirement for Advisors to meet you in person during the process for some security reason as I was told by a Chennai based Authorised advisor. Not sure though about this requirement.

    m so glad and happy to share.. There are some many wonderful people here who share their experience and make new immigration applicant's life easy...

    I'm sure if you search for question here as well; you'll get the answer/solution for most of the queries but, again it's your personal choice

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Auckland
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    DIY is the way to go (unless there are any complications with your case) and there's lot of help on this forum, you will also find individual experiences of people over here.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Scotland
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    Thanks guys,
    My husband and I sat down and had a look through the inz website and while is all a little daunting I thing we will manage ourselves. I think/hope our application is a straight forward one.

    I think this forum is wonderful as you always get opinions and advice on your threads Hopefully one day when I have gone through it I will be able to pass on my bits of info.

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