Has anyone used a visa-processing agency?

[JohnM]

I am considering a trip to a rather, err make that very, unusual destination next year. I will need a visa which I don't expect to be problematic in being granted.

However, it will not be very practical for me to do the application and handling myself so I'll need to use a visa-processing agency to act on my behalf.

Has anyone had experiences of such agencies, have any recommendations and tips?

TIA.

 

[cove]

JohnM my son’s GF works at one in Adelaide. I can check to see if their Perth branch is any good if you would like. We get home this weekend.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks, @cove.

 

[juddles]

JohnM, my opinion of visa-agencies in general is that they provide a service that in many cases can be done by oneself instead, but they are far safer.

A visa application can be as simple as completing a couple of forms, supplying a couple of supporting docs, and lodging these somewhere. Simple stuff. But if you are not an expert, or have never done this specific application before, it is easy to miss a form, lodge incomplete docs, or even lodge them on the wrong date or at the wrong place.

My experience of visa applications is also that whatever is written in websites/contact pages is usually either incomplete/hard to understand, or most commonly, out of date.

Unless I was certain of the procedure, or I had the time and margin to suffer a learning experience, I would much prefer to go down that safer route. Visa agencies should know their stuff, they should know the real process. And they do not survive long if they fail.

 

[cove]

My son is in Spain and his visa application to gain entry was a struggle for him as in Perth there is only one place to get fingerprints done. He flew to Melbourne to get it processed.

 

[TomVexille]

I used the Toll one a few years back, and the small premium I paid was worth it. Just had to fill in a form online and sign it. They came to my office to collect all the documents and then delivered back to me. Not sure they’re still around though.

 

[RooFlyer]

I used Toll once also ( abt 10 years ago) ... but then they got obscenely expensive and then I think they disappeared.

 

[RooFlyer]

My experience of visa applications is also that whatever is written in websites/contact pages is usually either incomplete/hard to understand, or most commonly, out of date.

That's the key thing, made more difficult when there is no embassy in Australia so a visit or even a call is impractical. Burma used to advise a 5 week turnaround and your passport had to have a holiday in Singapore. Then they got eVisas

Even with a local embassy it can be tricky. The Iranians have one, and a phone number to call for enquiries, but there are no options to talk to a human when you call

 

[ftm]

We use TexVisas in Sydney for the more infrequent or unusual applications that might go pear shaped. Much much cheaper than CBIT and have never had a problem.

 

[Denali]

Pretty sure I used Visalink a couple of times with no issues and would use again.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks for the input, folks.

I take your point @juddles. It was really when I got to thinking about a very unusual place that has no diplomatic representation in Australia and doesn't do e-visas, and where the (British) tour company doesn't help out with the visa except to point its prospective clients to a (British) visa agency that an agency was a no-brainer.

It was ideas and tips for selecting and using an agency, particularly one in Australia, that I thought was worth asking of the brains' trust on AFF. I agree that any long-established agency must implicitly be competent, so I'm not concerned in that regard.

I had scoped VisaLink. They seem very costly compared with the Travcour (the British one). I hadn't spotted TexVisas, so I'll scope them, and wait for @cove's response.

 

[JohnM]

I just scoped TexVisas. They don't list the country I'm thinking of going to . If I chose 'Other' it generated an email form to fill in.

VisaLink does list the country, as does Travcour.

And I'm not revealing the country until I have definitely decided to go....

 

[moa999]

And I'm not revealing the country until I have definitely decided to go..

Albeit hard for people to give advice without knowing it

 

[JohnM]

Albeit hard for people to give advice without knowing it

It's the use of and recommendations for visa agencies that is the topic.

The country is irrelevant to that. I was merely circumventing someone asking which country and then a very real likelihood of the thread going OT .

 

[moa999]

Well they exist.. so ergo some people must find them useful and pay their fees, and many specialise in particular countries (eg China)

If you don't want to mention it here I'm sure a travel agent can provide advice.

But the general group here is well travelled and whether it's Sudan, North Korea or Zambia, I'm sure someone can jump in and give advice on ease/difficulty of diy

 

[juddles]

It's the use of and recommendations for visa agencies that is the topic.

The country is irrelevant to that. I was merely circumventing someone asking which country and then a very real likelihood of the thread going OT .

JohnM, you are amongst friends - your desire to visit New Zealand is forgiven....

 

[bPeteb]

A few years back we went to Senegal on a cruise from Europe to Brazil. My UK passport got me in visa free but partner's Oz or NZ were no good. It all had to be done in London, and paid for in cash, exact amount! Visa was something dumb like GBP14 plus whatever to courier it back. Had to send it by courier. Had to take to courier at Eagle Farm. They felt the coins in the bag, 2 x 2, and said you aren't supposed to send coins but opened the satchel, wrapped them in paper and tape, and away the passport went. A couple of weeks later it returned, stamped and ready.