Na wa o! I think say na only me enter immigration consultant's one-chance... I was referred to this consultant by a friend who described her as a miracle worker. I just assumed that a consultant would be necessary because the 9ja factor would make every step of the process harder than it should be. I also believed that I was already late to the party, and any extra "support" would not hurt, especially since I originally intended to apply under the hot NOC 1112 and I was just starting the process mid-August.
I paid $2k to get the process started, which included WES application. Within two weeks though, I had gone through the CIC website myself, setup my own checklist and document tracking system, and discovered I was not only a heck of a lot more organised than the consultant, I seemed to be a lot more informed. Two incidents got me seriously questioning whether the consultant was really of any use to me:
(1) within ten days of starting the process, I was really concerned about our ability to meet the NOC 1112 cap. When I asked the consultant what would happen if my application is received at CIC after the NOC cap has been filled, her response was "Your application would be returned." No talk about alternatives, nothing. That was very depressing and I told BabyBal's Husband that there was no use continuing with the application as it was extremely unlikely that our application would get in before the cap filled up. He was the one who read through all the finance-related NOCs and told me about NOC 1113 which fits one of my previous job experiences.
(2) the consultant did not pick my calls, only responded to emails, her staff usually started their response to enquiries with "I'm very busy", and one of them in particular was downright rude! As if $2k na moin-moin... hian!
Shortly after these incidents, I found this forum of my 9ja people that are not only highly informed, but also ultra-willing to help a brother and a sister out. So, barely two weeks after hiring them, I made the decision to fire them, but waited until I had made them earn as much of their money as possible. Just before the WES ECA report reached their office - I had resorted to tracking the progress of the application myself - I sent them a termination letter citing some story about not being unable to go ahead with the application (needed them to be willing to release my WES documents and all my information in their files - Ijebu no dey carry last ;D), and proceeded to go the rest of the way myself.
So, I am in the camp of those who believe the consultants' service is not worth anything close to the amount they charge, and every applicant can very well do without them. I was more unsure and agitated when I was working with the consultant than after I let them go. I wish I had done more homework earlier, and it may seem like I lost $2k, but the reality is that you guys saved me $2.5k - the official balance I would have had to pay if I had stayed on for them to complete, package, and send the application on my behalf. Lord alone knows how much more I would have to hustle up.
Tuwaile to all my seniors in the house! May we all receive the series of good news that we seek, amen!
Shakiratu said:
Thank you Kollins for this info.
I had a consultant when I tried the Manitoba PNP. It didnt end well. After paying 3000 USD and submitting the 1st application, it was immediately rejected for some technical issues which she never warned me about. I offered to correct the challenge and she said that for her to apply online for me again, I would have to pay 1500 USD and I would have to wait a month before she does it as her workload was too much.
I was livid.... I learnt my lesson, accepted my fate and moved on forgetting the money. As God would have it FSWP opened. I read up on everything MYSELF. Consultants offer no advantage. Its your life details being filled on those forms and no one knows it better than yourself. The document checklist and website have all the information needed to help you submit a complete application. It just requires that you read up. This forum and the wonderful people here are the added advantage!
Everything works together for good. Had my MPNP application gone through it would have been hanging there or returned anyway because they halted the programme not long afterwards. I wouldnt have considered applying for FSWP.
Have a great day....
