Author Topic: ImmagineNZ... agent - to use or not to use (Read 599 times)

Ethanc123 · « **on:** July 20, 2011, 07:05:47 AM »

Morning all

We have been to a seminar with ImmagineNZ and they have given us a proposal for using them as agents.

They are charging 9750NZD with a guarantee that they will return half of it if our app is not successful, obviously with conditions.

I would like to know if anybody has used them and has any recommendations.. also the cost, if it seems reasonable?

I know we can do this ourselves, but we don't know all the laws involved, so a bit wary of making mistakes that will limit our chances.

Thanks kindly
Kim

BARFLYNZ · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2011, 08:14:47 AM »

We wanted to use a agent before we came - but after getting a quote

, we decided to do it ourselves - with great relieve because we saved so much money not paying an agent .

with what ever option you going with

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2011, 08:14:47 AM »

SA3001 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2011, 09:11:32 AM »

Not sure which route you are going - skilled migrant category (like most of us), investor etc, but I'm not a supporter of using agents. They can't bend the rules and your application won't garner any special favours from INZ just because you use an agent. The immigration laws for NZ are pretty simple and easy to understand IMHO and there is so much info you can get from expats on forums like this if you really get stuck. INZ themselves can answer all your questions for free anyway - just the cost of a phone call. Visit the INZ website and take the time to wade through all the info. Register and fill in a practice EOI and then see how many questions you really have or how difficult/easy you find it. The most difficult and frustrating thing about the whole process is getting all your documents from home affairs etc and no agent can help you with that. And then waiting for INZ to make a decision takes patience - also not something an agent can help you with. Agents will tell you that about 70% of applications done by people themselves fail - how strange since hardly anyone on this forum used an agent and we all made it and so have many others from all around the world

So be very careful and be very clear exactly what services you actually get from them. $9750 seems over the top to me

SouthAfricanGirl · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2011, 06:26:09 PM »

Hi there,

I also went to a talk by Immagine NZ, and found the fees astronomical.

I am subsequently using Immigration Partners, because they offered me a much better rate, and have a very good name. Also, like you, I really felt more at ease using an agent.
I agree, the real pain is waiting for all the documents.
Do you live in Durban?

Cheers

Gypsymom · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:48:09 AM »

Quote from: Ethanc123 on July 20, 2011, 07:05:47 AM

Morning all

We have been to a seminar with ImmagineNZ and they have given us a proposal for using them as agents.

They are charging 9750NZD with a guarantee that they will return half of it if our app is not successful, obviously with conditions.

I would like to know if anybody has used them and has any recommendations.. also the cost, if it seems reasonable?

I know we can do this ourselves, but we don't know all the laws involved, so a bit wary of making mistakes that will limit our chances.

Thanks kindly
Kim

I also did not use an agent. OK I came in on the family category, but there there was still a lot I had to do myself, eg. Getting my sponsor's forms, details about where my family lived etc., which only I could do. As many people have said, probably the hardest part is getting forms from Home Affairs and that is something you have to do yourself anyway. The agent can't do your medical for you either, or get you a job, so what is really left? I agree that unless you have a very complicated life, the INZ site will tell you all you want to know. PLUS, you are going to want to arrive with as much money as you can, as it always takes time to get organised.
Good luck with whatever you plan to do, as long as you are comfortable with your decision.

groenlemoen · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2011, 03:02:25 AM »

As the others have said, most of the stuff you have to do yourself anyway. Medicals, etc etc. All the agent is going to really do is fill in the forms for you. Most forms come with guides which explain what exactly is required. For any form from INZ that you have to fill in, search for the form user guide, all available on the INZ website. All info is in there. Besides, you have this forum to ask any questions you are not sure of. As for making mistakes, its not really that difficult. The application is done online and the system will tell you straight away if you points are not enough, dont add up etc..

I think that because it has become law that now you can only get advice from a registered agent, agents are cashing in big time. And I am sure many of them will even tell you this.

What they dont tell you though is how simple the process really is. The agents are making an easy buck.

$10k, and only return half if unsuccessful? hell no.

groenlemoen · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2011, 03:05:32 AM »

PS: Also should have mentioned that I know two couples that were totally ripped off by immigration agents who promised them the world. They ended up doing the application themselves... Lots of wasted money.

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2011, 03:05:32 AM »

Savayla · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2011, 03:20:55 AM »

Do you have special circumstances, if not, read everyone elses post NO , NO , NO !!!!! you would honestly be an

to throw that kind of money away on something that really is very simple. Just read, read , read. There is nothing complicated in it. I think SA3001 has said it all, but what she didn't mention is that the other thing they cannot help you with, is the timing. When to get your police clearance so it doesn't expire, when to do your medicals, etc.

You will basically be paying them big bucks for filling in the forms. I will do it for you for half of that

Seriously, unless it is a complicated reason, all it takes is patience. The laws are not difficult, you just need to read and read and read until you understand it well. and only those sections that apply to you. NZIS are fantastic at answering your questions, no matter how dumb you think the question is. And there is the forum here. Just ask away, and we promise we won't charge a cent. The only charge will be that you have to keep everyone updated on your progress. And that is FREEEEEEEEEEEE !!

I guarantee that you have your families best interest at heart and will do a much better job. And, as patience is so NB, imagine having to rely on the agent to let you know what is going on. Ai-tog , at least we were in control (so we thought

).

Put your money back into your pocket, you will need it when you get here.

Good luck

dievissers · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2011, 04:51:49 AM »

I second all of that! When we came over we did it ourselves - WTR - no problems at all. I was divorced previously and therefore a bit more "complicated" with the fact you have to get permission etc done before hand, but other than that..... smooth sailing. Nothing an agent could have done different or faster for that matter. With my parents we thought... oooooo one chance only to get them here, so lets go with an agent..... ya right.... cost us $2000 (not much I know - but still a ...... of a lot of money to pay someone who did NOTHING) The forms are not the difficult part - the difficult part is getting all your documents ready and that they cannot do for you anyway. As a matter of fact, I ended up "getting friendly" with our CO on my parents case and she send me a copy of the letter where PR was granted. I decided to wait to hear how long it will take the agent to let us know, as he already had the letter as it gets send to them and they have to let you know. Well well surprise..... 3 weeks later we got the call to inform us of the excellent news he got for us.............. we let him finish his entire speach and then told him that we already knew...... hyt behoorlik bubbels gehap!!!! My parents applications wasn't too easy. They were on visitors and laws changed toward the end of their "queing" period for PR, so by then the agent told us sorry have to go to Aus and re-apply from there etc or go back - so when the hard work started, I did all the research and fighting myself anyway..... So in fact I did my parents PR too but still have to cough up $2000 - $:-\$ $:-\$

zatexnz · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2011, 08:42:47 AM »

Goeie flipping Nugtig!!!

Immigration agents used to charge only $30,000 - $35,000 before (which is still exorbitant!). What they're now telling you is that no matter whether you succeed or not, they will still make that $30,000 off you!

And that dear friend, is the price of your container of taking your valuable and lovable stuff with you!

NO WAY!!!!

As all above have said, you CAN do this yourself. The system is really straight forward (unlike the USA). And the immigration people here in NZ are really friendly, they're not spiteful like the SA home affairs.

I think Nolan still has the checklist here of what docs you need to get in SA:
like unabridged Birth Certificates;
Marriage certificates;
references from previous employers (if you can);
proof of working for those employers, if you can;
proof of marriage/relationship (other than certificate) - i.e. bills under same name, stuff addressed to you at same address, bank account in both names,etc.
Any qualifications translated into English (if they're not already in English).
Fingerprints for police clearances.
And don't forget the PASSPORTS!

There is a company called Bunnyhop that can help with getting birth & marriage certificates faster - they do charge, but I think it's something like R500?

The rest of the actual immigration stuff is on the NZ government site:
check the skills list to see if you're on the short list.
http://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/skills-needed-in-new-zealand~18.html
Check whether you have enough points. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator/

And the other thing I would recommend you do, no matter where you studied, whether it is an "accredited institution" or not, is to have your qualifications and years of experience assessed by the NZQA FIRST.
You will need that whether you apply for Work Permit first, or whether you are able to apply for PR from the get go.

As you can see, most of the above is all stuff you do yourself. And personally, I would be loathe to have any more people handle all my personal documents than is necessary. Therefore, sending docs directly to the NZQA or the NZIS, and not through an agent, is far better.

mbl77 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2011, 11:57:02 AM »

A friend of mine used immagine and felt the money was well spent, and he would use them again if he had too.

Because of his very positive feedback, I'm still on the fence. It is a lot of money.

SA3001 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2011, 09:48:21 PM »

Quote from: mbl77 on July 21, 2011, 11:57:02 AM

A friend of mine used immagine and felt the money was well spent, and he would use them again if he had too.

Because of his very positive feedback, I'm still on the fence. It is a lot of money.

Not saying they don't do a good job BUT it is a lot of money to spend for something you can easily do yourself

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2011, 09:48:21 PM »

Savayla · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2011, 03:56:29 AM »

Quote from: SA3001 on July 21, 2011, 09:48:21 PM

Quote from: mbl77 on July 21, 2011, 11:57:02 AM
A friend of mine used immagine and felt the money was well spent, and he would use them again if he had too.

Because of his very positive feedback, I'm still on the fence. It is a lot of money.

Not saying they don't do a good job BUT it is a lot of money to spend for something you can easily do yourself

Yes, this is it exactly. Put it this way. Would you say that your child should pay someone to study for them ? In the end, they still have to write the exams themselves. You would be paying someone to fill in forms. The stress will not be less. They are the middle man. You will be like a mushroom in the dark either way you go. Except, you will be a mushroom that has $10 000 more in their pocket and more hands on control .

Nolan · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2011, 04:27:50 AM »

Sounds way too steep to me as well, maybe chat to Greenstone Global that advertise on the site. They are also ex-Saffers so you would be support your own too

Ethanc123 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2011, 03:14:56 PM »

Thank you all so much for your info... I really appreciate it!

I have a bit of a complicated situtation, in that I had a son before I was married, and then another one after I got married [different dads] and therein lies the problem. I have written permission to take them with me though, so maybe it will but I'm not 100% sure... does anyone know anything about these kinds of issues?

Pretty much decided that we can do this ourselves, so if we can be sure of the kids, then it will be fine.

Thanks again
xx

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum