Protect yourself from scams. Insist on a Registered Migration Agent.
The Philippines are full of scam artists. And in truth, if you deal with anyone who is not a Registered Migration Agent you are taking a huge risk with the outcome.
I’m just in the middle of my annual re-registration right now, actually. That means I have to show them proof of:
- Professional Indemnity Insurance currency
- Professional Library currency
- Professional Development course attendance
- Various other things
And they will already know from their own records to see whether I have any complaints against me and my practice, which of course I don’t. Down Under Visa is and will remain squeaky clean. We don't need the headaches!
It’s all about protecting the consumer. Registered Migration Agents have a Code of Conduct that what must adhere to at all times. If we don’t, we risk losing our Registration which would be professional suicide. If you don’t use a Registered Migration Agent, ie. if you use “Rosie’s Travel and Visas (and takeaway siopao)” somewhere downtown, you have no protection whatsoever and no comeback if the application is refused due to it being mishandled. And you have no way of knowing if Rosie or her staff are qualified or even vaguely competent. Probably cheaper, but if you want proper professional help you need to be prepared to pay for it. Simple as that. If you pay for a rusty jeepney, don't complain when it doesn't handle like a Mercedes!
We get the occasional client where generally the Filipina lady wants to come in and check us out to see if we are legitimate. And yes, in a land where scams take place all the time, it’s understandable. However to be honest, most of the scammers will have offices and staff just like we do. You don’t learn very much by merely looking at people to see if they’re wearing a black cape and do the evil-laugh.
How can you find out if you are safe? Go straight to the MARA website, which is the Migration Agents Registration Authority. MARA are part of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and they are the authority who oversee the registration of Migration Agents in Australia. They are also the ones who deal with complaints of misconduct.
Watch this video HERE and you can see how you can look us up.
Any disadvantages to using a MARA-registered Registered Migration Agent?
Well, it won't suit you if you wish to sneak something through, or if you wish us to assist you in something fraudulent. You will find us very difficult to deal with, because we won’t do it. And if you don't want to disclose all your details, then we are definitely the wrong ones.
We have a Code of Conduct that we need to follow, and this probably makes the process a bit pedantic sometimes. And those who want to rush in, give us what they assume they need for the application, then rush out again expecting us to lodge the application as it is? You probably won't like us at all, because we don’t work like that. But then, once you get your visa grant you will most likely take a different view.
Who are Down Under Visa? Who is Jeff Harvie?
Jeff Harvie and the Down Under Visa team have been doing this for a lot of years! Down Under Visa have brought thousands of couples to Australia from South East Asia over the years. Mostly from the Philippines, but we help increasing numbers of couples where the visa applicant is from China, Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia. And what this means is we see a lot of success....and we also see failures when people go it alone after talking to their mate, or their relative, or that minimal-care-no-responsibility Facebook group run by Steve and Maribeth based on their own visa application! One application, and they feel qualified to advise others! It's not even LEGAL to do that!
Want to bring your sweetheart to Australia from The Philippines, China, Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia? Get a FREE VISA ASSESSMENT today! It will take you five minutes.
