Happy New Year to all friends, colleagues and clients (old clients, present clients, and those pending). We wish that 2012 will be a great year for you, and that those with loved ones far away will have them close to you as they should be.

To those dozen or so clients who are still waiting on visitor visa grants particularly, yes we do feel and understand your stress and disappointment at not being together at Christmas. This year appears to have been busier than previous years. The Department would have been inundated with work, and like the post office and other businesses and government departments, they can only do what they are able to do. Try not to stress and think the worst. They’ll get to your application as soon as they can, and nothing can be done to hurry them up.

Visa Application Charges (the government visa fees) have gone up in January 1st 2012 for SOME visas. Partner Visas (aka fiancee visas, prospective marriage visas, spouse visas) have been unaffected, happy to say. Tourist/Visitor visa fees have likewise been left as they are.

Our fees? They also remain the same. I believe we’re one of the more reasonably priced Registered Migration Agents around, especially given our proud record of success and our specialising in Partner Visas from Philippines. This is the area we choose to work in, because this is the area we know most about. And we care deeply about the outcome. If you’re not a client yet, hope we can help you too one day.