Client Agreement 10 January 2022 - Australia Visa Experts

Agreement for Services and Fees – Clients from 10 January 2022

Incorporating Estimate of Fees, the Services, Time of Service Completion and Initial Statement of Service

Dear Client

Thank you for choosing us to assist you with your immigration matter.

1.0 Agreement of Services and Fees

This contains the Estimate of Fees discussed with you verbally or by email. The Estimate of Fees is an integral part of this Agreement and incorporated into it; to confirm our understanding of the terms and objectives of the Agreement together with the scope and limitations of the services we will provide. The document “Working with your Migration Agent” dated April 2016 is an integral part of the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement. It is available at http://yourvisa4australia.com/working-with-your-migration-agent-april-2016/

2.0 Client Acknowledgement and Confirmation

I, acknowledge and accept the terms of this engagement as provided. I shall be personally liable for all fees for services performed in accordance with this agreement. If I am the sponsor for the visa application, I acknowledge I have the authority of the Applicant to enter into this Agreement on his/her behalf. Email statement “I agree” is deemed acceptance. In the event a signature is not practical, payment of fees for this service is deemed to be acceptance.

3.0 Cooling off period

I acknowledge the 7-calendar day cooling off period during which I can withdraw from the Agreement. I acknowledge I may forfeit 50% or more of the initial Block 1 amount if I withdraw. The T and C apply after this period.

4.0 Time estimate: We estimate the time to lodge the matter may be up to 21 business days from receipt of ALL information and documentation from the Client. Where there is an appeal or application deadline the Agent will make every endeavor to lodge within time subject to receipt of all moneys and documentation due.

5.0 Time to receive a Decision: Current guidance on times to process a Decision from the Decision Maker is on the Department website (www.homeaffairs.gov.au). Every visa and other process, including in different Department Offices and the AAT varies considerably. We will attempt to advise you but these are out of our control. We are unable to advise times for special matters as these are dependent on Department resources however we will take every endeavour to expedite your matter.

5.1 Please note: Processing times by the Department have become very lengthy with an average SC820 for example, being 24 months and a SC143 being more than 48 months. We have no control over these but we do undertake to lodge an application that is as strong as possible, with your cooperation. Please note especially, the Clause Other important matters, point 2 in “Working With Your Migration Agent”.

5.2 Please Note: In the event processing times are longer than 12 months (or anticipated to be longer than 12 months), the Agent may at his sole discretion, charge an additional fee up to 25% of the original Agent fee. In the event the Agent can no longer progress the application due to business closure for health reasons, the Agent or his representative will endeavor to move to matter to an alternative Registered Migration Agent to complete at no cost. The new Agent may, at his discretion, claim an additional payment. This is to ensure the Client matter is securely progressed.

5.3 Client files: When the matter is finalized or terminated between the parties, all original documents provided by the client will be returned to the client by the most cost effective means. Most documents are copied or scanned and returned during processing by the Agent. As the Client will have retained these originals, the Agent is not obliged to send electronic copies. All correspondence from the Department will be provided to the Client. The Agent must retain an electronic copy of the file for 7 years as per regulations.

5.4 Refund Policy: Work and payments are structured according to Blocks in the Agreement. The first Block includes strategy advice and a full assessment of the likely prospects of the case. This is the most important aspect of a visa matter and identifies the prospects of success and the process to be followed. Once 7 days has elapsed from the Client agreeing to proceed and the Agent providing the strategy advice and a file being created for the matter, this Block fee is NOT refundable. Any potential refund is at the total discretion of the Agent who may charge a fee regardless of the reason for the Client requesting a refund. Where a visa matter is finalized, NO refund will be entertained. The Agent commences a visa matter after giving the Client an honest appraisal of risk of the matter. The Agent cannot guarantee success of any matter but can guide the Client on this. The Agents extremely high success rate for all visa matters is a demonstration of the Agent’s care and attention to client matters.

Summary of Fee Estimate:

Agent’s Professional Fees: Provided

Government Application Charge (VAC) or AAT: Provided

Visa application type: Provided

Potential additional charges are advised in Fee Estimate below:

Service description:

Block 1	All Blocks below may vary from Client to Client and this should be read in conjunction with the Agreement signed. Initial consultation/s (in person or remotely), research and advice on the appropriate pathway for the Client’s goals. This Block includes visa strategy advice which provides the Client with an understanding of the way to a successful visa. This is the most important element in immigration work and the knowledge and experience of the Agent must be considered valuable to a positive outcome. This has very significant value and the Block 1 fee comprises this plus varying additional work that makes up the Block 1 fee. This Block may be the only Block in visa applications that we assess will progress quickly. In this case, once started, the fees are not refunded. Decision to progress made by you. Payable from Client Account 7 calendar days from accepting this Agreement.	Amount provided separately
Block 2	Preparation of complete application including submissions ready to lodge or when requested to lodge by applicant. Payable to Agent with visa application charges prior to lodgment of visa application. Submit your Application, Appeal or other Visa matter. Payable from Client account on lodgment of visa application. In the event of delays by Client paying the VAC or other Fees this block is deemed to have been completed. Management of all communications and updates to the Department until time of Department Decision.	Amount provided separately
Block 3	May include: Advise on any applications for travel and work bridging visas or matters outside the standard visa application process during processing. Any other matter.	Amount provided separately or listed below.
Block 4	Please note: If an issue is identified outside the visa/review process (i.e. a significant health or character issue) which could not reasonably be predicted by us additional charges will apply and agreed to by us both based on reasonable costs to us. In the event, for any reason, your matter must be transferred to another Registered Migration Agent, you may be required to pay an additional administrative fee to that Agent. This Block may include any other matter.	TBA
Block 5	If the application requires a second stage, such as SC820 following a SC300 approval, SC801, SC 100 or processing a visa completion following an Appeal, this agreement includes this stage at a fee to be agreed at the time the next stage is required. This Block may include any other matter.	TBA

Other costs through us:

DIBP Visa application charge (VAC):	Provided separately
DIBP Second stage Visa fee if any	Provided separately
Federal Police checks:	$92 each
DIBP Credit Card fee @ 1.08% of VAC	Provided separately
Birth Deaths and Marriages – Relationship registration	$145
Bridging Visa B travel visa as required. $245 These external providers fees are current at this date but may change without notice. Any increase is the Client’s responsibility. Important Note: Visa Application Charges are NOT refunded by the Government agency if an applicant withdraws an application

Other potential costs paid directly by you:

Medical check	TBA
Translation of documents	TBA
Overseas police checks	TBA
Expert witnesses	TBA
Others as required	TBA

Prospects of success: Every case is different. We have advised your separately