Not. Several years ago there were issues (BIG issues) related to postings by "migration agents" - for Australia. Don't know how it is now, but at the time, Australia was nearly the only country where migration agents were common for expat wannabes. But there are significant legal issues for someone posting online as a "migration agent" if their advice goes wrong - whether they are simply representing themselves as agents or legitimate and licensed.

Many, if not most of the EU countries don't have much to do with migration agents - and hiring someone to do much of the istrative work for you can (under some circumstances) lead to suspicions and problems in working with the national authorities.

Everyone here should probably assume that any and all advice from this or any other online forum is merely an attempt to guide the posters using the respondent's personal experience. If someone really wants to "share" info about a stellar migration agent, I would ask you to the poster privately (i.e. by using the Conversations feature here on the forum). And if you are making use of the advice you get here on the forum, you're under all the usual obligations to do your own "due diligence" in checking out the advice you've been given.

 

That's okay. I just wanted to ask as I never would have been able to traverse it all on my own, even me being very tech-savvy.

Thank you for the reply.

 

The best I advice I can give is before engaging an agent.. this is with an Australian lens because of your flag... but the principles will apply regardless...

1) Figure out what help you need..

2) Search the MARA and find a ed migration agent...

3) Make sure that there have been no disciplinary decisions made against them by OMARA (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority )

4) Arrange an initial discussion / consultation to discuss your particulars and to ensure that they are a good fit both in of personal style, but also in of their experience and background, languages they speak and so forth as well as the specific type of help you need. Importantly a ed MARA agent signs a code of conduct and is required to act professionally and ethically and has a duty to not give futile immigration assistance. That is, right up front, before g a contract, they should tell you how likely you are to get a visa, and provide advice on why they think that is not likely ... all before g a contract.

5) only at this point.. having thought through all of the above.. consider a contract to engage them...



MARA

Search for ed migration agents · OMARA Self-Service Portal

OMARA has published good guidance on the things you should consider when choosing a MARA agent.. What is good for you.. may not be good for someone else who as a different need... hence point 1 in the list is critical.. and then perhaps at step 4.. their advice may help you to what you reconsider what you really need as opposed to thought you needed.

https://www.mara.gov.au/get-help-with-a-visa/help-from-ed-agents/steps-to-choose