Not a pleasant, but very important, topic: unreliable, fraudulent visa consultants and faulty, incorrect visa advice create distressing situations

We understand. You dream of a future abroad and the process towards it is incredibly complicated. You don’t want to take any risks when it comes to your future, so you may decide to call a specialist. An immigration consultant offers visa services, in the form of advice on your visa options, or assistance with your visa application for example. It just makes sense, that you trust the idea that everything is well taken care of by your consultant, and that this person has your best interests at heart. The visa is your ticket to your dream destination. So, when an expert is euphoric and tells you that it won’t be any problem to get a visa, you most likely assume that this is the truth. Because from an ethical point of view, the least you should be able to expect is that they are honest with you.

Unfortunately, there are still many “ghost consultants” who are not licensed and in that case nothing could be further from the truth. We are seeing things go wrong more and more often because of unqualified unlicensed consultants. With worrying regularity, we speak to people who have received incorrect advice and/or – even worse – have already paid a lot of money without getting any results.

First of all, let it be clear that there are a lot of good regulated and licensed consultants who do indeed have your best interests at heart. With the emphasis on ‘a lot’. If you start searching for a visa consultant, you will notice that the choice is enormous. It is therefore difficult to distinguish between ‘good and bad’.

Alarm bells

What you should definitely rely on is your gut feeling. In many cases, it is only afterwards that it becomes clear that your feeling was right. But, in the case of emigration, you can prevent a lot of misery by trusting not only your gut feeling but also by verifying infomration. Especially the latter – verification – is very important. Many factors should set your alarm bells ringing, but not everyone recognises them. What to look out for:

Visa options are only discussed by telephone

Both Australia and Canada have very strict immigration policies. Unfortunately, this also means that many people do not qualify for a visa. This is extremely disappointing, but it also makes you vulnerable. It is in human nature to ‘hear what you want to hear’ and to accept that as the truth. We regularly hear that people with a ‘low-skilled profile still receive positive advice from fraudulent visa consultants. What is striking is that this advice is often only given over the phone. Therefore, always make clear notes so that you can verify the advice with other parties. Even more important: ask the consultant in question for a clear, written (by e-mail) indication of your visa options.

No clear overview of costs

Once your visa options are clear and transparent, a detailed cost overview can also be provided. Recently, we have heard a lot that after the first contact with a consultant, people immediately receive a first invoice. Not knowing exactly what these costs are for. Often, this is a relatively low amount, but the subsequent and total costs are not clearly communicated. By paying the invoice, in many cases, you commit yourself to the relevant party and they start working for you. Unfortunately, we regularly hear that after the first contact, invoices with much higher amounts soon follow and that people do not know what these amounts represent. We even hear stories of people who were offered to pay extra fees so that they can be put on an urgency list. Watch out! In most cases, immigration does not work with urgency lists, with very few exceptions.

In short: ask for a clear cost overview and come to an agreement about the costs for services upfront. Make sure this is a fixed amount to avoid unpleasant surprises.

You are immediately asked for your credit card details

Talking about alarm bells… It seems to happen that immediately after the advice is given, you are asked for your credit card details. Parties indicate that in this way they can make an initial payment – which can be up to a few thousand dollars – and ‘start working for you immediately’. Don’t do this! Make sure you first receive an agreement that includes your rights and obligations, but also the payment conditions. If you agree, you can sign the agreement and start the visa procedure. You will then receive an invoice for the service fees. Fees for the visa application, which will be submitted to immigration and other associated organisations must generally be paid by credit card. Make sure you know the amounts involved upfront. Make sure you have clear agreements about the payment of these costs with your visa consultant. You will always receive a payment confirmation of each final payment made to an associated authority.

Guarantees

However much we would like to, we cannot give any guarantees. This applies to the processing times, but also the outcome of a visa application. We can of course indicate the processing times. However, various factors may cause delays. The visa application is handled by immigration. A case processing officer will make a decision. Until this decision is communicated in writing by immigration, nothing is certain. So be careful when someone gives guarantees.

Check, check, double-check

To make a long story short: make sure you do thorough research and ask questions. Also check the reviews of organisations on Google or social media for example. No matter how big your dream is, be critical and make sure it does not become a trap. If you have any questions or doubts, please contact us. We will be happy to help you! Via our visa check, we provide you with personal visa advice, free of charge and without obligation. 

Canada introduces a new pathway to permanent residency

On 14 April 2021, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced a new pathway. This innovative pathway offers 90,000 candidates a pathway to permanent residency in Canada. It will help achieving the immigration levels for 2021, in which Canada wants to welcome 401,400 new permanent residents. But it is important to note that this is a temporary program (pathway) which might not be available permanently. It therefore is expected, that the quota will be reached not to long after the program opens.

For who

This special public policy offers temporary essential workers and international graduates, currently in Canada and who possess skills and experience, needed to fight the pandemic and economic recover, a chance to become permanent residents. The new pathway focusses on candidates employed in hospital, long-term care facilities and the frontlines of other essential sectors. Furthermore, the focus will also be on international graduates who will play an important role in the economy of tomorrow.

The basic requirements

To be eligible for this pathway, essential workers must prove to have at least one year of Canadian work experience within the last three years. Candidates must have been employed in health-care professions or another approved essential occupation. Other requirements apply to international graduates. They must have completed an eligibly post-secondary education program within the last four years, that started in January 2017 or later.

The opening of the program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept applications, starting May 6, 2021. Three streams have been created, each one with it’s own quota:

  • 20,000 spots for temporary candidates working in Canadian healthcare;
  • 30,000 spots for temporary candidates working in Canada, in other approved essential positions;
  • 40,000 spots for international students, graduated from a Canadian education provider

The program remains open until November 5, 2021, or until the quota has been reached. Within the streams mentioned above, a maximum of 90,000 permanent visas will be granted.

Additional places for the promotion of Canada’s official languages

Besides the previously mentioned streams, three extra streams without a maximum have been announced. These programs are especially for French speaking or bilingual candidates. Many communities in Canada benefit from French speaking or bilingual new comers. The extra program will therewith contribute to the vitality of the French speaking minority communities.

Send us an e-mail for free and non-binding advice, or complete our visa check.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/04/new-pathway-to-permanent-residency-for-over-90000-essential-temporary-workers-and-international-graduates.html

Australia’s vaccine strategy

Not knowing how enormous the effects would be, Australia closed its border on 20 March 2020. Nearly a year later, we are very much aware of the effects of Australia’s border closures. We are waiting in anticipation for notifications from the government, that will provide us with clarity and perspectives on lifting the border restrictions. Australia’s vaccine rollout could mean that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The current situation

Australia’s very strict approach to the pandemic is the reason why the number of Corona cases in the country is comparatively low. As of March 13th, 2021, Australia reported a total of 29,112 registered corona cases. This includes 909 people who died from the virus.

Australia’s national vaccine rollout strategy

Australia´s population will be vaccinated in 5 phases. Phase 1A is currently under way. In this phase 1.4 million doses are available, to vaccinate health care workers as well as quarantine- and border workers. The image below provides an overview of the rollout strategy:

source: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/03/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-presentation-on-14-march-2021.pdf

Expectations on lifting the border restrictions and visa procedures

If everything goes as planned, all Australian´s (who wish to be vaccinated) could have had their first dose of the vaccine by October 2021. The airline company Qantas has indicated that they are planning to resume regular international flights starting October 31st, 2021. This is in line with the expected timeframe for Australia’s vaccine rollout to be effectively completed.

Our visa consultants have been (virtually) present at information sessions, organised by the Department of Home Affairs and various Australian states and territories on March 12th. During these meetings, the assumption was made that the immigration budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year will be finalized in May 2021. Following that, the budget for nomination places will be allocated to Australian states and territories, whereupon the new visa year beginning July 1 will hopefully again provide options for overseas candidates.

Would you like to find out about your personal visa options? To do so, please fill out the free and non-binding visa check. Based on the information you provide, we will assess your visa options.

Source vaccination rollout strategy: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/03/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-presentation-on-14-march-2021.pdf

Bron restart flights Qantas: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus/qantas-international-network-changes.html 

Webinars ‘migrating to Australia and Canada’

On Tuesday 16 February, Visa4you organises the webinar ‘migrating to Australia’. And on Tuesday 23 February the webinar ‘migrating to Canada’. We will fully inform you about the immigration law and visa procedures for both Australia and Canada. You can subscribe for the webinars, free of costs.

Webinar Australia

Date Tuesday 16 February
Start webinar 7.30 PM (CET) – 1.30 PM (EST)
Duration Approx 1,5 hour
Subscription Yes, mandatory
Costs Nill

Webinar Canada

Date Tuesday 23 February
Start webinar 7.30 PM (CET) – 1.30 PM (EST)
Duration Approx 1,5 hour
Subscription Yes, mandatory
Costs Nill