You don’t have to use a migration agent to apply for an Australian visa, but many desperate hopefuls interested in a better life have turned to these professionals for help only to be swindled out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Department of Home Affairs released recent findings from probes that show that there are agents that regularly falsify documents to obtain visas. In November-December 2018, it was found that eight migration agents had been suspended or expelled from the profession for inappropriate conduct. In 2018, there were 34 penalties faced by migration agents.
Candidates interested in applying for a visa should ensure that they are seeking assistance from a registered migration agent that is up-to-date with current laws and procedures. Though a migrant agent can help prepare the visa application and advise a visa applicant about their documentation, they do not have the authority to influence the outcome, fast-track the processing period or guarantee a visa.
