X.Death of the Agent

At the start of January 2011, Bert sent a greeting. I greeted back and along is a follow up on our application. He said he will just give me info when he has one. Even way back, I had an idea that our license in Philippines is not accepted elsewhere and that we can only work as tradesmen if we migrate, or even just work, in other country.

Believing that the chance of getting a positive result is high, I grabbed the chance when another employer asked me to work for them as an automation engineer. This is a specialised job and would be beneficial if experience from it is carried to Australia than as Project Engineer. (Learned later that working as a tradesman also needed a license and can be obtained even before migrating)

After some more months, there were no updates from him so I sent him an email. Thinking he was busy, I gave him time. But after 2 weeks, I gave him a ring on his main phone line, then the other line and did not make contact with him. Got busy with my application with the other company and I know he was doing he job, more time was given.

After 2 months, working for the other company happened and after settling in, I remembered my application. I gave Bert a ring but have the same result. I also called my wife to tell her what is happening and told her that I hope nothing happened to him as I did not have any doubts that he will back out on me (considering payments have been paid in full already).

I "googled" him and was surprised by the sad news. It was August then and Bert had died a month before - while I was planning to working with the current company then. I was devastated as I do not have an idea what to do and have tried to contact the immigration office before but they said they will only talk to my agent as I used one.

There was an autoreponder to emails but none was sent to me. In the article, the reply to mails going to his email was:“Due to his passing, any matters regarding Immigration will need to go to the Australian Immigration Office,” I did my research and fortunately contacted the right person and by filling up some forms, I got to continue my application


Previous blogs:
I.The opportunity
II.Initial preparations
III.Agent Wanted
IV.Initial Assessment
V.Start of Application – Fees
VI.Application – Instructions
VII.Application – Batch 1
VIII.Assessment Result
IX.Second Batch

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IX.Second Batch

The second batch requirements involves the family documents. At this point, fortunately, there was only one form that was replaced, needed to be completed and sent to Bert. It is more of form filling but because I am working in Papua New Guinea and the documents are in the Philippines, it took a bit longer. The forms also involved my wife and I signing in so it had to be done from Philippines, sent to me then me sending it to my agent in Australia.

The requirements for the second batch includes forms that will be given after the Assessment result comes out positive, family and work related document. The list was only sent after the payment is received by Bert and is confidential.

It was not a smooth one as documents and answers to questions had to be resent to Bert. Beign busy with work, collating requirements and following up with wife, who is busy with my 2 kids, was not easy. But, really wanting to go to a better place, kept us moving. And on August 2010, my application was received be General Migration Australia. An acknowledgement document was sent to me together with the receipt of the payment to Immigration.

Notes:
1. Sometimes forms changes and I had to complete and resend one.
2. Price also increase and there was a time when I had to send Bert the difference.
3. Bert said it takes at least 6 months to receive the result of the second bath, depending on the criticality of the trade one has.



Previous blogs:
I.The opportunity
II.Initial preparations
III.Agent Wanted
IV.Initial Assessment
V.Start of Application – Fees
VI.Application – Instructions
VII.Application – Batch 1
VIII.Assessment Result

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VIII - Assessment result

The assessment takes 12 weeks for Engineer’s Australia. On March of 2010 the positive result was sent thru email by Bert. It just mentioned that the appropriate occupational classification in my case for migration purposes is Plant Engineer ASCO 2126-13. It created some excitement but more excitement came in when he listed the ways in which visa can be obtained. Attached with the Assessment result is seemingly good news as within the email are 3 ways of applying for an Australian visa.

The first way is thru sponsorship by the state government of Victoria. This is the fastest as processing takes only 2-3 weeks. Bert asked for some requirements before lodging the application and came back after the said timeline with a negative result. The second is the family sponsorship, which needs a relative residing in Australia. This did not work either my relative is cousin of my mother. She was used as a reference though.

And the last way, should the first and second one won’t work, is the independent visa category. This takes the longest time but I had no choice then. Bert gave me a breather when he said that it may take it less time as the occupation is on the critical skill list. Needed to take the longer road and I am very positive that this will work. Batch 2 is next.

Note: Australian regulation changes often that forms filled up, regulations and even critical skill list may vary. Be aware on the latest list they provide. April that year, changes will be made so he asked me to be quick in sending the documents needed before they implement the new rules.

Previous blogs:
I.The opportunity
II.Initial preparations
III.Agent Wanted
IV.Initial Assessment
V.Start of Application – Fees
VI.Application – Instructions

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VII - Application – Batch 1

Batch 1 is all about the applicant only. This is where one has to prove that they are capable of working on the occupation you are in. The first batch is the assessment by Engineers Australia. Other occupations, of course, have their own assessment agencies. Aside from the usual papers from college or universities, the ones that took me sometime are: Professional engineering summary and the Career narratives which I believe this is common to all occupations.()

It was not easy doing these things as I have been a generalist (no specialization) and been in different engineering environment for almost 10 years that I have worked and had different positions taken. I have sent and reset them for Bert to check and give comments. Although there is an Engineer’s Migration skills assessment kit sent, it was not easy for especially the Career narratives which ended up him sending some samples sent. The said samples made the task easier but still needed Bert’s comment. These career episodes are easier if one has a specialization as he/she just need to narrate how one progressed and specific task’s step were taken.

Although she knew it won’t be easy gathering the other documents in Philippines, my wife Joecy, had no choice but to go back to my previous companies to get an original Certificate of employment. Also, she has to go to the IELTS office as it has to be sent directly from the office to an address written in the instructions.
For the other personal details, I believe they are open to what is really available and what original document one can provide. Processing was 2 to 3 months for the first batch.

Below his instructions is a big warning “Be advised that Immigration will investigate, verify and check your claims, so it is important that you provide only truthful information and genuine documents.” It took me 4 months to accomplish all written tasks and compile all documents needed before Bert lodge my assessment application.


Previous blogs:
I.The opportunity
II.Initial preparations
III.Agent Wanted
IV.Initial Assessment
V.Start of Application – Fees
VI.Application – Instructions

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VI - Application – Instructions

July 13, 2009, money was sent thru telegraphic transfer from ANZ Bank for the upfront fee, the receipt was sent immediately after clearing and the Guidelines for Batch 1 and 2 was sent immediately after that – it was overwhelming! It was a long list and before the Batch 1 and 2 requirements are what he calls “Important Instruction” which generated a lot of questions and email sent back and forth because of the following:()

    1. You and your wife and dependent children live together presently in PNG (Papua New Guinea).
    2. All your dependent children are below 16 years old
    3. You have no children under 18 years old who are not living with you and who are not going to be included in your application.
    4. You have no other dependents, whether living or not with you.
    5. Your occupation has not changed since the last resume you sent to me which was the basis of my assessment and proposal, and thence these guidelines.
    6. You and your wire and dependent child are all are in good health and are unaware of any major medical concern.
    7. You and your wife have no past disclosable criminal records or civil liabilities
    8. You and your wife will be able to obtain your NBI clearances from the Philippines and Police clearances from PNG (n.b. I will provide instructions later)
    9. You and your wife and children have only lived in the Philippines and PNG and no other country during the last 10 years.

The queries I had were a bit sensitive issues and cannot be listed herein. If you think the list means nothing and that there are no issues that may hinder you from continuing, then congratulations. Actually, I never felt the bad temper that my friend told me about the agent as he answered everything I asked promptly.

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V - Start of Application - Fees

Receiving the result of the assessment, attached to it is the proposal from Bert’s company, The Migration Specialist, is the fees that will be incurred should processed commence. It was quite a lot (based from some migration forums) but out motivation to migrate is bigger so I paid the initial fee. My agent also had my trust when he listed the reasons why my fellow applicants did not make it and why I passed which is very consistent and means that he will not accept applicants and take their fees should they stand no or small chance of making it.()

Fees back in 2009 are the following (to be sent to agent):
    1. Professional Fee – Upfront fee of A$2,000
    2. When the skills assessment result is positive - A$ 750
    3. 1st Stage - Skill Assessment - A$450.00
    4. 2nd stage - Application With ASPC - A$2,525

Other fees (applicant’s responsibilities):
    1. IELTS
    2. Medicals Examination

In the first stage, Assessment with Engineers Australia was emphasized together with the need for IELTS (which I already have passed before entering this process) and also later needed for spouse, if any. December 2011, I have checked and the current score/band needed for applicants is down to 6.0 only (previously 7.0) for all areas and same 4.5 band/score for spouse.

In some forums, people and even agent are surprised to hear that there is an upfront fee. One should make sure that he is ready to undergo the process as part of the guideline for termination of the service will mean he/she will pay the agent A$300 per hour of service rendered.

The family is included in the application whether they are coming or not. If they are coming, Bert said, they should be there before a timeline that will be given by Australia immigration. Otherwise, they have to undergo the same process all over again. Sounded good – payment sent!

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IV - Initial Assessment

On July 2009, communication with Bertram “Bert” Ocon started. Requirements were requested and they were sent immediately. Positive response came in and the agent said I am legible for migration. Learning my fate, my other colleagues also tried their luck. The 2 others were not legible for the fact that they did not put into use what they have finished in college. This means that the certificate one has should fit the job he/she is in. ()

Initial Requirements requested: (1) Resume, (2) Detailed job description, (3) Details of relatives in Australia, if any and (4) If spouse is a professional and working, same details are also required.

The result of my initial assessment, based from Bert, qualified me to apply for 175 Skilled – independent visa. The Australian profession where my qualification fitted in is in the code ASCO 2126-13, Production or Plant Engineer. It was listed in the 400+ occupation in the critical skill list, then, required by Australia. If the occupation is listed in the critical skill list, it enables quicker processing in the 2nd stage by Immigration, says Bert. Though I haven’t undergone the first stage at that time, it sounded good.

That time, I was just 31 years old and points say I am eligible for the same rating until I reach 35. Plenty of time left, but focus was on the expiry of the IELTS certificate. I would usually pass the assessment, but with a known successful applicant from him, I proceed with the process. I emailed my intention to apply and he replied quickly with his list of requirements and the fees of course.

In July 2011, the critical skill list, now called SOL went down to only 180+. Fortunately, my profession is still listed in it. The codes were also changed.

Continued from Agent Wanted

To be continued . . .

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III - Agent Wanted

With only 24 months due on the certificate, I searched for people who can help me. I am a very cautious person then and without much confidence in applying directly, an agent’s help was needed. The first assessment I had was from True Blue Migration. The details they need were sent on January 2009 and had positive result. They said that with those qualifications, I am eligible for migration and their money back guarantee sounded nice but seeing the AU$3,000 migration fee made me back off and just had my name listed in the waiting list. ()

This changed the focus when listening to people. Coming back from the break and hearing the result, I would usually ask for people’s experience or ask for those who knows people who has successfully migrated. Also, I searched more of the requirements and what preparations are needed when applying for a migrant visa especially those which I have heard from friends and acquaintances. You can check www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au  for preparation needs.

Some months have passed and pressure is building up so I became keener on looking for those people who know our friend who left for Australia to ask who his agent is. I was fortunate to get his contact details from a co-worker. We at once asked for the agent’s email. A prompt reply was received with the details we need together with a note advising us that he is good though has a bad temper.

There are some sites that has assessment calculator in it where one can encode data to tell you if you are qualified but this is not that reliable. The best way, in my opinion, is to give your details to migration experts and let them do the assessment. At this starting point, no fees are required yet.

Continued on Initial Assessment

Continued from Initial Preparations

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II - Initial Preparations

Most of the requirements listed are already available or easy to produce except for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Reading the details in obtaining it, I asked my wife’s approval on spending some amount to check if I can pass the quota for the profession I am in. I didn’t see it will be easy as the highest rating is 9.0 for each of four categories and I should get a minimum of 7.0 for each one of them. ()

For the other qualifications, you can check SOL at www.immi.gov.au. In the website are also the required marks and averages for specific qualifications.

I worked with a multinational company and I am fortunate to have worked with other race that helped me gain confidence in speaking in English. Joecy agreed and on the next holiday/break I had, my priority next to being with my family was to register in IDP in Makati, for the test. The break then was short so it was tailored that I can reserve a seat as soon as possible after arrival in the Philippines and takes the test a week after. Everything was pre-arranged as they have a website and contact numbers in it. The exam took place on 28 November 2008. After 13 days, the result was sent and I passed with all areas with at least 7.0. The certificate says it is valid for 24 months.

On the same year, there was an opportunity to spend holidays in Australia. Joecy and I had the same thing in mind – that it will help going to Australia first before applying for a visa as immigrant. On December 2008, me and my colleagues here in Papua New Guinea went there.

In the List, they asked if the applicant has a relative in Australia. I contacted my cousin and agreed to help me.

Later I learned that it has no bearing going to Australia first as a tourist. But that Australian tourist visa, I believe, helped me in obtaining a 10 year, multiple, US Visa. Only immediate family can help in sponsoring an applicant, but they can help, as a reference person is needed.

Continued from The Opportunity
Continued on Agent Wanted

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I - The Opportunity

“Accept the inevitable”

2008. While working in PNG, my eyes are wide open for opportunities. Most people complain about the security condition and getting sad about being far away from their family, instead of doing thing like they do, I searched for chances where I can grow and/or gain something – but not limited to them. ()()

“Seek and you will find”

Having growth in mind, on every occasion I have attended, aside from the good chit chats, I more often listen to stories where a person either gets something big thru luck or by working hard.

There were people who started from scratch and now are successful business people. There are also people who get hired (pirated) by other company with better package. Another big positive the PNG offers is the chance to get a tourist visa to, as I have heard, anywhere in the world and this is something that even some rich Filipinos are getting hard time with.

I used a great number of hours on my first year reading self help books which gave me more confidence and courage in bringing to reality whatever opportunity that I may hear that created a positive result.
After only a year working abroad, one of my Filipino co-workers resigned and migrated to Australia. Hearing that it is possible, I wasted no time and did a research on the requirements.

Continued on Initial Preparations

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