North Shore Immigration agency

[muddywheels]

Hi there, has anyone heard of or used the above agency to apply for visas? We have been talking direct to NZ Immigration and are just about to start filling in the forms to apply for work visa...police checks sent off for and medicals next week.

Talking to a friend over in NZ, she advises to use an agency as, firstly it can be quicker as they more or less know exactly what immigration will want from you.
Is it true that if you are declined a visa, it can be harder to apply second time round?
I know we will have to pay fees for such a service, but would it benefit us? My husband has accepted a job offer as a carpenter/joiner. He is a self/emp builder over here and has been for 6 years, although has no qualification as such. We are currently getting together references from customers and confirmation from trade co.s that he has had an account with them for 6 years, and also letter from Accountant. He has all accounts uptodate. We are worried that they may turn him down due to no qualification. Anyone else gone or going through something similar? Any help or advise would be appreciated. :icon_rolleyes: Thanks

[MotherBear]

Arrrgh!! :icon_eek: Don?t do it, Muddywheels. You don?t need an agent to do this and you?d spend a heap of money and get very little in return. I don?t think we?ve heard of anyone who?s had a satisfactory experience with an agent so far. You can read about the latest casualty here .

You can do it yourself as many others on here already have and the latest batch are currently preparing to leave for NZ this year knowing that they did it under their own steam and without parting with a hefty fee to an agent. That?s why help forums like this exist.

You should be able to make headway with your application now, as you already have a job offer which is a very good start and one most people aspire to.

[SteveyC]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^echo^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Don't do it!!! Waste of money, waste of time, unless you're minted and can't be bothered with the hassle and stress of doing it yourself, it's really quite easy to do for yourself.

All the info is on the NZIS website, the application is online, there is a helpline to call if you're really stuck and none of us can help. All the things an agent charges LOTS for you can do yourself.

[muddywheels]

They were quick responses!!!!! Thanks for advice, just concerned with timescale we have to play with. Hubbie needs to be out there within next couple of months and if we have correspondence being sent backwards and forwards taking 7 days each way, time will eaten up quickly!!!!!!! Do you know whether NZ immigration will phone us rather than send a letter if they have a quick query with anything? Regards

[MotherBear]

I know they can communicate via emails.

[SteveyC]

I doubt if even an immigration specialist can turn PR round super quick, I know it's been done before but 9 times out of 10 it will taker some time.

A work visa however which will entitle him to enter the country can be done quickly and would be my suggestion for the way forward.

What job has he got?

[nattydread]

I don't know if it's any kind of record or not, but we've taken 90 days from submitting the EOI to receiving our Blue Stickered Passports today..

I think I remember saying my preferred mode of contact was EMail, i can't remember now if telephone was an option.

Our biggest delay was the Police Checks and waiting on my wife's midwifery registration..
Without those things we could have been quicker.

I would say definitely avoid any agencies though..

good luck..

[Pulsarblu]

Muddywheels, I just want to stress that you do not need a agent to do this, never!

pulsarblu

[driver]

I have personal experience of this company.

You have an excellent chance of getting a visa.

Be brave, do it yourself.
You and your pocket will feel so much better for it.

:icon_wink:

[FingersCrossed]

From what I've read, agents are pricey and don't seem to get any kind of priority.

Agree with MotherBear, forums like these have a great deal of information and there's a lot to learn from other people's experiences.

We had a bit of bother with Mike's qualifications at the start (he's a joiner) as NZIS didn't recognise his Scottish qualifications.However it all turned out all right as with his years experience in joinery, it totted up our points anyway. We have gone a slightly different route going for permanent residency but it's all happened pretty quick so far.

You mentioned that your hubby has a job offer and that is great! Use forums like these Muddywheels, keep your pennies for setting up your new life and enjoy the adventure.