NSW Department of Immigration - Do They Contact Previous Migration Agent?

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Shadow

Active Member
1 February 2015
8
0
31
Hi,

I have recently sponsored my Fiance on a Tourist Visa Subclass600, we used a Migration Agent that were absolutely useless dealing with our application but after a frustrating 10 months the Visa was approved and she spent 3 months here.

We are now wanting to submit a Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass300 but now want to deal with a different Migration Agent.

Does the Department of Immigration or Embassy contact our previous Agent for any reason? As we are concerned that they will make it difficult for us because they have expected us to use their services for the Subclass300.

Any information would be appreciated.
 

Victoria S

Well-Known Member
9 April 2014
518
59
2,289
Hi @Shadow,
Your new migration agent should help you and ensure that there are no issues with your previous migration agent.

If your previous migration agent is causing issues, then you can lodge a complaint against them with the Department of Immigration - see Reporting Problems with Migration Agents

If your previous migration agent was registered, then they’ll need to abide by the MARA Code of Conduct - What to expect from your agent - Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority

Make sure you use a registered migration agent, and you’ll need to notify the department that you’ve withdrawn the appointment of your previous agent, and appoint your new agent - read through: Using a Migration Agent in Australia

So if you’ve appointed your new agent, then the Department should deal with them. Even so, your previous agent can’t force you to use their services and if they try to make things difficult for you, you can lodge a complaint.

Hope that helps.
 

Shadow

Active Member
1 February 2015
8
0
31
Thank you so much for your advice Victoria,

Will the initial 956 form that we completed nominating the first Migration Agent to submit the Tourist Visa application become invalid after the Tourist Visa has been approved? Or do we still have to advise the Department that we have withdrawn their services even though we will still have to sign another 956 form to allow the new agent to handle the new application?

Many thanks for your reply :)
 

Mitchell Kelly

Well-Known Member
8 February 2015
18
5
99
Hi Shadow,

Your appointment of the migration agent (and the legal tie) ceases once the work they were hired to do is complete. In your case, once the tourist visa was granted, your tie to that agent is cut. If there were any matters relating to that tourist visa that DIBP wished to discuss (I can't foresee any) then they would still contact the former agent as they would be listed as the contact for that application. However, the contact person for any future application would be the new agent you appoint or yourself if you choose not to use an agent.
 

Mitchell Kelly

Well-Known Member
8 February 2015
18
5
99
PS - As you may know, DIBP fees will increase from $4,630 to $6,865 on 1 July 2015. So best to move now.
 

Shadow

Active Member
1 February 2015
8
0
31
Thanks Mitchell...I'm aware of the increase that's why we want to get the ball rolling ASAP...thanks heaps for your information it's greatly appreciated :)