Before you start getting excited about embarking on a new life abroad, you need to check whether or not you are eligible for a visa.
Emigrating is not as simple as you might think and UK citizens emigrating to far-flung destinations outside the EU – including Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the USA – will need to go through a stringent visa application process to be allowed to live there.
Fluctuations in the global economy mean that the demand for foreign migrants changes each year depending on skill shortages. For example, in recent years Australia’s mining boom has led to a need for foreign engineers and technicians. If you have the necessary experience, your chances of being granted a visa to work are much greater.
For those who meet all necessary conditions, applying for a visa can be straightforward. For others, whose application might not be clear cut, it makes sense to pay for the services of a registered migration agent.
Here’s a bit more on how a registered migration agent could help you:
- Migration law and the types of visas available change constantly in most countries on a national and regional level. A good migration agent will be well-informed and often legally trained. This means that they will be clued up on regulatory information that could increase your chances of obtaining a visa. For example, how much do you know about Australia’s new application process for skilled worker visas, called SkillSelect and effective from July 1 this year?
- Applying for a visa is not a five-minute job. For starters, forms have to be carefully read and completed strategically, medical examinations need to be carried out and everything needs to be delivered to the right person at the immigration board. If you lead a busy working life, finding the time to do this can be difficult. In this case, paying a migration agent can make good sense.
- The migration agent you choose should have a good relationship with immigration board case-workers – to whom all applications typically are referred – so be able to keep you well informed on the progress of your application.
- Most migration agents are native to the country you are trying to move to. Their service extends far beyond mere paperwork and helping you with your application – they can offer first-hand advice and opinions on all aspects of moving to your new country.
- The circumstances surrounding your application won’t be unique. An experienced migration agent will have completed hundreds of successful applications and seen every possible scenario, so they should know precisely how to maximise your chances of being granted a visa.
Always use a migration agent that is registered with the corresponding government body in the country you are trying to emigrate to. The Overseas Guides Company recommends Taylor Hampton Solicitors for anyone moving to Australia.
Once you know you will be able to emigrate and are ready to move your savings abroad, before you visit your bank, speak to a currency transfer specialist, such as Smart Currency Exchange, as they could save you money by offering better exchange rates than your bank. For more information, download Smart’s free guide by clicking here.