Find a Trusted Migration Agent

A MARA-registered agent is legally authorised by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) to give immigration assistance in Australia for a fee. Under the Migration Act 1958, anyone providing paid immigration advice must be registered with MARA or be a practising immigration lawyer. Every MARA agent holds a unique 7-digit registration number (MARN) that you can verify at mara.gov.au.

You can apply for any Australian, Canadian, or UK visa yourself through official government portals. However, most applicants use a registered migration agent for complex cases — skilled migration with points testing, employer-sponsored visas, partner visas, or any application with character or health concerns. A good agent typically improves approval rates for complex applications by ensuring documentation is complete and addresses all assessment criteria.

Fees vary significantly by visa type and agent. In Australia, MARA agents typically charge AUD $1,500–$5,000 for student visas, $3,500–$7,000 for skilled visas (189/190), $3,500–$6,500 for partner visas, and $4,000–$9,000 for employer-sponsored visas. In Canada, RCIC fees range CAD $1,200–$6,000 depending on complexity. Always request a written cost agreement before engaging any agent.

For routine visa applications and tribunal appeals, a MARA-registered migration agent and an immigration lawyer can both represent you — and agents are typically less expensive. You need a lawyer when the matter goes to judicial review in the Federal Court, involves character cancellation under section 501, or overlaps with criminal or family law. Always verify MARA registration at mara.gov.au or a lawyer's current practising certificate with the relevant state law society.

No. It is against the MARA code of conduct for any agent to guarantee a specific visa outcome. The Department of Home Affairs (Australia), IRCC (Canada), or UKVI (UK) make all final visa decisions based on your individual circumstances. A good agent significantly improves your chances by preparing a thorough, well-documented application — but no ethical agent will promise approval.

The Graduate Temporary visa (subclass 485) allows international graduates from Australian universities to live and work in Australia for 2–4 years after completing their studies. While it's possible to apply yourself, many graduates use a MARA agent to navigate the Post-Study Work Stream requirements, ensure their CoE and study duration qualifies, and avoid common errors that lead to refusals.

A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Under Canadian law, only RCICs, immigration lawyers, and Quebec notaries are authorised to provide immigration advice for a fee. Using an unlicensed consultant is illegal and puts your application at risk. Always verify RCIC status at the CICC public register at college-ic.ca.

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) regulates immigration advisers in the UK. Advisers are registered at Level 1 (straightforward applications), Level 2 (complex applications), or Level 3 (appeals and judicial review). Only OISC-registered advisers or lawyers with a current practising certificate can legally charge for immigration advice in the UK. Verify any adviser's registration at gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser.

Verify their registration is current and clean (no disciplinary history). Confirm they specialise in your specific visa type. Request a written cost agreement itemising all fees upfront. Check independent reviews on ConsultancyCheck and Google. Prefer agents who communicate clearly in your preferred language. Avoid anyone who guarantees a specific outcome, asks for large upfront payments before confirming your eligibility, or cannot provide their registration number.

Yes — and this is one of the most efficient approaches. Many education consultancies that helped you with your student visa also have MARA-registered agents or partner with migration agents who can assist with your graduate visa (485), skilled migration pathway, and eventual permanent residency. ConsultancyCheck lists both education consultancies and migration agents so you can find integrated support for your full journey.