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Hi everyone

Firstly - thanks for the kind words and welcoming "hellos" !

Just looking for some input on costs. Hoping some of you can guide me here. I work with a reputable immigration agent, but there's no harm in getting a perspective on the costs of the 188 state sponsored visa application.

Can anyone shed any light please? From what I can see, based on 50% dep required from my immigration agent of R47,880 it must cost around R95,760 ?? Can anyone comment, verify this amount as market average cost for this application? I'm not wanting to grind them down in price, just want too ensure I'm not being ripped-off and am paying fair value for this process... (plus additional A$5000 payable on successful app)

Any input super appreciated..

Thanks !

Jan

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Pretty much double the actual cost. :unsure:

Seems to be the norm. :whome:

Our 175 visa is about R30k, but agent quoted us R60k+. :boxing:

We did it ourselves, not a biggy. :grads:

188 might not be as straight forward as 175, but can't think that it's that much harder, especially if you're competent enough to run your own business. ;)

Good luck! :ilikeit:

you avoid the 2nd instalment below by doing an IELTS English test.

http://www.immi.gov....velopment.htm#c

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa

Charge Type Charge Amount

1st instalment

$4065

Renew

$500

2nd instalment $8520

For primary applicants with less than functional English.

2nd instalment $4250

For dependents 18 years or over with less than functional English.

See:
Edited by Erik
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WAIT WHAT?!!

R50k x 2 + A$5k if successful!

That's R150k for something that should cost about R50k, that seems a bit excessive...

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THANK YOU

I'm all over those sites you shared. Erick, you're a lifesaver. If nothing else I am ammo to initiate a conversation around why my quote is significantly higher!

Ok, bare with me ..just so I'm crystal clear ...For the 188 my 1st installment should be $4065 and my 2nd installment should be $4250 (yup, thank goodness I'm over 18, and can speak english!) - sorry if it's a silly question, but whats with the two installments? Am I missing something...

Thanks a ton Ajay and Erick for the feedback !! It really helps :-)

Jan

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Yikes that is a lot of money..I would definitely find out what other agents are charging first. Then again you need to have a lot of money to go this route ;)

Are you also sure your agents are reputable. There have been a few people who have had issues with agents so please make sure you check them out thoroughly before you sign the dotted line

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The 2nd instalment is only payable if you have dependants over 18 with less than functional English.

You can prove their functional English with either an IELTS test or school records if their schooling was in English.

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From the comments above we can deduce that the actual cost that DIAC requires is only $4065. As you can speak English, there are no second instalments at all. so that's a total application cost of $4065 if you did it all yourself. The link that Ajay provided says that an agent should charge you between $3500 and $10 000. Presumably that's over and above the DIAC fee of $4065. So adding the agents fee and application together, they should be charging you between $7565 and $14065. So if your agent is charging you R95760 (+- A$11500) plus an additional $5000 then you are paying $16500.

As always we would suggest you contact the agents on the forum for a comparative quote - Ajay, SD_MOA, Fiona. All three have a proven track record of honesty on this forum.

I see the link Ajay provided says "The following table represents the range of fees charged by 70% of registered migration agents during the period from 1 April 2012 to 30 June 2012. These fees include GST." So I guess it is possible that the fee of $16500 is within the normal range.

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Forgot to add: Have you personally verified that your agent is registered with MARA by going to the mara website and checking?

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I would also get a quote from Stephen Dickson also an agent on this forum. He did our 176 App and allowed us to pay as we went. Ajay is also an agent and a fabulous person so her advice should be highly considered, as she knows what she is talking about.

I agree with making sure your agent is registered with MARA, but as I said get a 2nd quote we did and saved about R60 000.00

Good luck and I hope you get to Oz soon. We have been here 6 months and I will not return to SA except for a brief holiday.

T

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Maybe ask the agent to break down the quote a bit more so you can see how much goes to Disc,how much to their fees and anything else. easier to compare with other quotes.

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Maybe ask the agent to break down the quote a bit more so you can see how much goes to Disc,how much to their fees and anything else. easier to compare with other quotes.

I agree. Our agent gave us a detailed quote of what everything would cost including their fee.

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Just a quick update ... and so say thanks.

Had a chat to our Agents and they're sharpening their pencil. The idea was not to get them to close their doors and not make money, but to engage in a negotiation to ensure they were charging me market related rates. At the end of the day all we all want is fair value.

So thank you to all of you who took the time to give me reference sites and to guide me - really makes a difference.

Jan

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Forgot to add: Have you personally verified that your agent is registered with MARA by going to the mara website and checking?

I need to double check this today - what's the URL please? My agent is sending revised pricing today (because it's a 188 they include the business plan that needs to be submitted, so not sure if this hikes up the pricing a bit?).

Can I also request a quote from you please Ajay? Not only for comparative purposes, but at this point we're still totally open to working with the right Agent, and I love the fact that you have the backing and endorsement of this forum. Sadly it seems to be the exception rather than the norm that immigration Agents are referred to as "trustworthy" as you have been. Goes a long way.

Hope to hear from you - jan@ivyleague-consulting.com

Thank you !

Jan

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Just a quick update ... and so say thanks.

Had a chat to our Agents and they're sharpening their pencil. The idea was not to get them to close their doors and not make money, but to engage in a negotiation to ensure they were charging me market related rates. At the end of the day all we all want is fair value.

So thank you to all of you who took the time to give me reference sites and to guide me - really makes a difference.

Jan

Who are your agents? I see you live in Bryanston. I hope you are not using Network Migration? They charge the earth and are far more expensive for services inferior to what the Aussie agents offer. Just my 2 cents worth... :whome:

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Who are your agents? I see you live in Bryanston. I hope you are not using Network Migration? They charge the earth and are far more expensive for services inferior to what the Aussie agents offer. Just my 2 cents worth... :whome:

Hi Richard.... um, yes it was Net Migration (or is until I get a better alternative). They've reduced their pricing now, but lets see what other quotes I can get. Who did you end up using?

Thanks !

Jan

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Hi Jan

We used Network Migration and then got rid of them as they were thoroughly useless. They knew nothing about the suspending of the visa program a month after it happend in 2009 when the GFC was on.... :boxing:

We changed to Fiona Carre and she was fantastic, but ours was not a business visa.

Stephen Dickson is very highly recommended on the forums, not sure if he specialises in business visas.

From my experience the Aussie agents are generally more up to date with changes in the system and often cheaper. They are not offering all these extra "services" which you do not need and can get from the forum for example advice on moving companies, forex dealers etc..

As far as my memory serves me Network migration are not Mara approved, but a consultant that they use are Mara approved... the smooth talking Andy Kerr.......... :whome: :whome:

Hope this helps.

Regards

Richard

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