[Piers Johnston]

Hi again,

still new to this, so I might have put this thead in the wrong area (let me know please)

...Anyway, we are in the very early stages of the process, and have been approached by a couple of agencies telling us that we can save time and money by using them. Is this true? If so which agencies does anyone recommend?:confused:

Thanks

Piers and Katie

[lockstock]

Hi and welcome. It's not rocket science but the process can be a bit confusing - and that's where this forum comes in. You can ask really dumb questions and find out that several of us have asked even dumber ones. The best bit is that someone has been there, done that and bought the t-shirt. The next best bit is that none of us are out for your money (unlike the agencies) and we all seem to be getting there together. Some pushing from this end, others pullling from the other side. And the agencies don't give you bananas either. To be honest, I'm not sure you'll have many recommendations for any:no

Go on. Go for it!

[dobber27]

Dont bother all they do is charge a fortune to fill out the same information you would have to submit anyway.
If you go through the EOI on-line any questions you have, you would find on this forum. good luck

[speckythecky]

Lockstock is dead right, I don't think you will get many recommendations for agencies on here.

Most people have made the move, or are planning to make the move without agency help. The forum has been able to answer all my questions, and I would be suprised if it can't answer yours, so save your money for something more important.

One thing I disagree with Lockstock about is that you can ask dumb questions, no question is dumb, its just a question that you want answering.

Good luck with the journey.

[kanatakiwi]

First of all, just want to say, YES I can see your avatar (photo) and your family! lovely:)

On emigrantion consultants:
I have seen prices of several thousand pounds :yes quoted on this forum for the services of an immigration agency, so I find it hard to believe you could save any money using them.

If your application is reasonably straightforward there is no need for the agency. Whether you hire them or not, you still have to fill out all the forms, get your medical and police clearance etc. They can't get you more points than you are entitled to. (In fact folks on this forum, will likely have more tips for getting all your points!) All they do is help with the paperwork and submit it for you.

You don't say what line of work you are in, so don't know how your points will pan out, but if you are in the required skills category you will be in with a grin, and even if not, most people still find success.

Even if your application isn't straightforward, it's my belief that you will still find more advice and assistance on this forum (for free:nice1 ) than you will get from an agency. My application was not straightforward, because of medical issues, and I just dealt with each request for more information, further tests, etc, as it came up. It tested my patience because I wanted finality, and the waiting was hard, but an agency wouldn't have been any extra help even in my case. I was the one who had to go for the extra X-ray etc)

If you are one of those people who breaks into a cold sweat at the sight of forms to be filled out, maybe they will be right for you, but others here can tell you, its a very expensive route to go, and likely no need for it.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you,
kanatakiwi

[liamnrach]

Quick answer Piers.....

NO!!:no

The forms are daunting at first, but post a question on here.....and you'll have the answer (or a link to the answer) in double quick time!! I think if one has a difficult case (i.e. English is not ones first language) then Immigration Consultants may be worth their weight in gold, but if your case is a straight forward one (and obviously I do not know your circumstances), then the process can be completed by yourself with help from the great guys and gals here!!

Save thousands and maybe upgrade on the emigration flight!! Or a nice overnighter somewhere??!!

Good luck:p

Liam n Rach

[StevieD]

I can only echo what the others have said, it isn't difficult with a bit of time and patience. The agencies give out plenty of "advice" leading you to think that it is a minefield whereas it is in fact, just an exercise in gathering family data and work history, like an oversize CV in fact.

Good luck, go to the NZIS website, that is where the agencies get all their information from.

And if you in doubt about anything, ask on here, it will save you a small fortune.

Steve

[Bruckner]

Who needs an agency when you have us? Seriously, we did it and whenever we have questions we posted here or e-mailed a US-based rep at one of the NZIS offices here. Even our case officer was quick and helpful.

Emily

[pinkpiggy]

I agree with everyone else. Unless you have a complicated application e.g. medical issues then I wouldn't use them. Like others have said, they can't fill the forms out for you or get you extra points and they cost a fortune. :no

Even people with serious medical issues have done it on their own. The hardest part of the process, for me, was the waiting.

What I would say, is make sure you start to collate all the necessary documents asap. If you're unsure of what you need just ask, I and others on the forum will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

For info, here's the link to the Immigration site. It can be a bit hard-going as there is a lot to take in but go on, you know you can do it.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Also, this link is to our Blog which has a 'copy' of our EOI on it - so you can have a look and see how we completed it. http://theedwardsfamilynz.blogspot.com/2007/01/our-eoiita-points_03.html

[constablechuck]

I know of one person who's occupation wasn't on the shortage list, they came over on a tourist visa, they found some agency that had an in with certain accredited employers and they managed to get a job and a work permit very quickly.

I don't know what they paid, I think the only advantage the agency provided them was their connection with accredited employers.

[Chiba]

Unless you have a really oddball situation, I doubt you need an agency. It's not a difficult process, but it is a large process. It's also expensive enough without paying somebody else to fill in forms for you. The online EOI is a nice piece of software - it remembers where you're up to so you can just plod along and keep adding to it when you get more information. Get yourself some supplies (a big calendar, postits, files, etc), become an obsessive list maker, stick reminders everywhere, etc, etc. - just chop the thing into pieces and go for it. Good luck! :)

[martin&maria]

well we used an agency and i can't say anything bad about them and we did not part with any money until we had a job offer and then here in nz we got the money back! However i think you will get everything you need from this forum and more i would go with what everyone else is saying and keep your money for something better! I suppose it's whatever makes you feel more at ease well good luck with it all.

[diforsyth]

We used Protea Pacific and think it was well worth the money. Without a job offer or a date of when I intended to emigrate, I was granted PR in about 15 weeks (EOI to Blue Stickers). For me, it just took all the hassle and worry out the process.

I suppose an analogy would be servicing your own car when you are not a mechanic. With help & advice you'll eventually get there on your own or alternatively you could pay the garage to do it for you.

David.

[willsken]

No way would I pay anyone, unless you have an unusual situation (even then I would think twice) Most people on this forum do it themselves and save a lot of money. Be confident and have a go. Ask this lot for help and normally there's more than one person with an answer. Good luck.:D

[lockstock]

One thing I disagree with Lockstock about is that you can ask dumb questions, no question is dumb, its just a question that you want answering.

Good luck with the journey.

Sorry, the 'dumb' bit didn't come out right. What I meant was any question which you may think is dumb actually won't be so don't be afraid to ask it on here.

We still don't charge!:exit

[Piers Johnston]

You guys...Thanks to all of you for your support. It has given me a big warm feeling reading through your replies, and makes me feel part of one big very supportive family.

A bit of background about me then...

My sister lives in Gisbourn, and has done for eight years. She moved out with her Kiwi husband, but because she's a nurse, she would possibly have qualified either way. The last time we went out was Dec 04, and ever since have talked about emigrating. We had just got married, just moved into a house that needed loads of work, and were expecting our first child. We decided that the plan would have to be a five year one, and hence we have now come back to it. The difference is that when we sat down and discussed it again a week ago, we made a firm decision that we actually want to work through a schedule to put us there in 2 years! That was the easy bit !

Because my sister lives there, I am half hoping that I might be able to go on a sibling sponsorship. The other thing is that we have yet to break the news to my parents that we are now serious. With my sister having 3 small children in NZ, and the news that we will be taking their remaining 2 grand children out too, there is a chance that they might come too. This wouldn't be a problem, but we do need to plan for it either way, as well as organising them too.

I suppose my best bet at this stage would be to start filling out the EOI form to find out how many points I am eligable for. My feeling is that they will be low.

My job is in Satellite and Television distribution in many forms, and although I have been extremely successful in this career to date, it is a small industry, that clearly has little understanding from externally. The good news is that because of the big switch over to digital in the UK, and the start of it in NZ, I am hopeful that my skills will be highly sort after. The bad news is that I have managed to get by with very little in the way of formal qualifications. Having said that, there is a new NVQ qualification that has just landed from the government to try to bring some uniformity to the industry through the digital switch over. Ironically, I actually teach parts of the NVQIII, but as yet don't have the qualificaton myself. I will however have it by March 08.

I'll go and start the EOI, and come back with my queries.

Thanks again

Piers

[speckythecky]

Sorry, the 'dumb' bit didn't come out right. What I meant was any question which you may think is dumb actually won't be so don't be afraid to ask it on here.

We still don't charge!:exit

Lockstock - I wasn't having a dig, its just that no question is dumb or stupid, If you have a problem and don't ask for help that is dumb or stupid. The process is hard and every bit of help that you get eases the path for you and you can bet that someone has had the same problem.

Sorry if I offended you

[lockstock]

No offence taken! I just got a bit over-anxious about the thought of someone thinking an agency was necessary when everyone here is so helpful!!