Immigration will be made easier with the creation of MARA
From July 1 this year, migration advisors will be regulated by a new body – the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). The creation of this new office is designed to alleviate pressure on the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) and to ensure that there is more integrity in the whole immigration system.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, explained, “Unprofessional, incompetent or unethical behaviour by migration agents affects the lives of consumers, challenges the integrity of Australia’s visa program and brings the entire profession of more than 3,700 migration agents into disrepute.”
The MIA currently regulates its own members, including dealing with complaints. The new body will make the whole process more efficient and trustworthy.
The MARA website itself summarises the role of the body by saying, “Registered Migration Agents can help you with family, business and educational migration, guide you through complex visa application processes, handle paperwork and present your case in the strongest possible way. We can help consumers with finding an agent and advice about the fees that agents might charge. We may also be able to help if you have a dispute with an agent.”
You can find out more on the MARA website.
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2 Responses to “New body promises easier immigration”
Comment by Biresh — February 16, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
that’s good news indeed. I hope the agent’s fees will be regulated too as some agent’s in Kuala Lumpur would charge up to RM16K per application! Even if people were sponsored by an employer, agents make a huge profit.
Most skilled workers are hindered by the huge agent fees. Moreover, I also know of some people who have a permanent residency but have never bothered migrating there, wasting a place for someone who can truly contribute.
Also, is the bond money really necessary? Its comes to RM40K and if u compare it dollar to ringgit, living cost here is high enough, without having to fork out so much up front not knowing whether the application is approved. In the event the application is turned down, you still have to pay the agent! RM16K, down the drain. Some people told me its better odds to gamble in the casino
It woudl be better if the actual costs are shown rather than hidden. So that people are aware of what they getting into. Like me, I wanted to migrate to Aus because of the better living costs and conditions, but the cost of just applying for a PR is ridiculous, I’ll just stay put.
Perhaps MARA or the Aus Govt. will be progressive enough to change the requirements as not all of us who have the skills, or intention to contribute to society down under can afford such costs.
Comment by Susan Wareham McGrath — May 8, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
Hi Biresh
I just came across your post above and thought readers might be interested to know that the Australian Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) has a list of average fees charged by REGISTERED migration agents on its website.
All you and your colleagues need to do to avoid being exploited by people charging ridiculous fees is simply log on to http://www.themara.com.au and find a MARA registered migration agent. If you’d like to see what our average fees are to assist people with visa applications, just click on this URL http://www.themara.com.au/Online/Default.asp?DeptID=275,
After looking at the list of average fees, if you think that the agent you choose is charging too mcuh, all you have to do is choose another one out of the 3,600 listed on MARA’s Register of Agents.
If you look at the average fee for employer sponsored migration, you’ll see that generally, registered migration agents only charge between $AUS2,300 – $5,000.
It’s not hard to research fees via the internet nowadays, and as a registered migration agent myself, I highly recommend that before paying anyone for migration advice, potential Australian immigration applicants check MARA’s website.
Best regards
Susan