Contents:

CHAPTER 1: CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 3: CHAPTER 4: PALPAK (DISASTER!) Emotional Visa Roller Coaster Ride YOU WANT ME TO AVOID MYSELF? WHY? A VALID AND GENUINE VISA APPLICATION...PAANO YUN? (HOW IS THAT DONE?) Closing Statements: A Few Remarkable Client Testimonials

Author's Note:"Applying to migrate to Australia from the Philippines is a minefield and for those who attempt to navigate their way through without the expertise of a Registered Migration Agent run a high risk of not making it through. I have drawn from my personal experiences, which began the year I was born (!), to demonstrate the right way to make an application. This is the first 4 chapters of my soon to be published book. Take the time to read it and then contact me to arrange for your safe journey from the Philippines to Australia where a wonderful new life awaits you."

Jose Respall
Registered Migration Agent No. 9901644

Chapter 1
PALPAK (DISASTER!).

PALPAK (DISASTER!).
Like many of the 184,000 Filipinos living in Australia today I emigrated with my family - my parents Luis and Concepcion Respall, my three brothers Ramon, Luis Jr. and Manuel, and my sister Marilou. It was in 1969 and although I was only six years of age I can still vividly remember life in the Philippines and our journey to the new world. My first experience with immigration issues was, strangely enough, when Mum gave birth to me. Maybe this is why I became so passionate about migration between Australia and the Philippines later in my life and it became my career. I was born in San Fernando, Pampanga, on the 30th of April in 1963. My first cousin, Joann del Pan Cordon, was born a few days before me on the 26th of April. Usually it is the women in the Philippines who fuss about registering birth certificates for any newborn members of the family but on this occasion, as destiny would have it, the responsibility was delegated to my father. Now, please concentrate on those dates of birth because you will soon see that they become a real-life example of why it is so important for you not to attempt things on your own or to seek advice from unregistered individuals or organizations when you decide to make an application to migrate to Australia from the Philippines. Just picture my father so excited and proud to register my birth certificate with the local Pampanga Provincial Civil Registry. The problem was that he was also asked to register Joanns birth certificate at the same time. What happened next gave me a perfect opportunity to use my own personal experience to explain the real issues faced when lodging your visa application to Australia from the Philippines.

Pap, as we would affectionately call him, was a wonderful and supportive man to everyone but unfortunately on that day he got it all so wrong. It became our family palpak - palpak means disaster. As the years went on we would talk and joke about this incident a lot. Pap would recount the experience, Mum would join in and I would provide the sound effects and background characters and embellish the scenarios so that it ended up like a comedy script. Heres what happened that fateful day. Pap marched into the registry and registered my date of birth on my cousin Joann's date of birth form and my cousins date of birth on my form. Then, to top it all off, he allowed our family name Respall to be spelt with only one L making it appear Respal. Now, you might be wondering whats the big deal? How could this lead to confusion and chaos later in life? Well, there is a strict warning given by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) here in Australia which clearly states, Do not provide false and or misleading information or documents to DIBP. Doing so could be detrimental to your particular Australian visa application. If you've already dealt, or ever need to deal, with the Compliance Section of DIBP you will understand what I have just mentioned. DIBP expects a valid and genuine application to migrate to Australia from the Philippines and just the slightest variation - like an L missing from your last name - could end with you being delayed or even prevented from moving to Australia. Let me focus your attention now on some other aspects of a visa application to Australia. The Department will ask you for various types of documentation and evidence such as, but not necessarily limited to, baptismal certificates and school records. In my case, having lived the first six years of my life in the Philippines, these were exactly the types

of information they requested from my family in order for us to emigrate. Im sure you can already see the coming dilemma. My parents went and lodged visa applications to move to Australia. The paper work was sent to a case officer who looked at my file and immediately noticed that I was born on the 26th of April 1963 and my family name was Respal - based on my official birth certificate from the National Statistics Office (NSO) - and yet in all of my other records which had been completed correctly the date showed the 30th of April 1963 as my date of birth and my family name was spelt Respall. When DIBP discovers these so called discrepancies it triggers alarm bells (I can just imagine bright red lights flashing and sirens blaring inside the case officers mind). From their point of view even these minor issues imply that maybe there are other more serious matters at play in the application. Thats the way they are trained to assess visa applications, and rightly so. The next few months after lodgment of our visa application were spent paying additional costs for an Attorney in the Philippines to draft and execute sworn affidavits for the Department of Immigration of Australia, the National Statistics Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines to correct my birth certificate and my passport. This period was further compounded by the stress of making a valid and genuine application to migrate to Australia. Heres another policy of DIBP that I really need to let you know about. If one member of the family unit fails the application then the whole application is refused - even though the other members of the family comply with that particular visa application. Im sure you can visualise the emotional state of affairs my parents were faced with in 1969. Due to an innocent mistake they had no idea

whether their application would be accepted. A paperwork error had the ability to kill their dreams for their future! In late June of 1969 my parents received a letter from the Australian Embassy, Manila, and saying that We are pleased to inform you that your application for entry to Australia has been provisionally approved. Would you kindly call at the Embassy regarding further requirements? Boy, you should have seen us all jumping for joy on the day we received that letter. That joyous day is as fresh in my memory as if it just happened yesterday. I can remember my sister Marilou taking the envelope and cutting off the stamp, soaking it in water and adding it to her stamp collection. We were so competitive with our stamp collections and it was a craze in those days to have one. We continued collecting stamps well into the Seventies. Sometime in July we had the photos taken for our passports. I remember it so well because we all had a haircut on the same day, thanks to Mum, and my brothers and I took turns sharing the same white shirt and black bow tie at a makeshift studio when we were on holiday at that time, somewhere in Naga City. Then, a month later, our passports were issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

However, fast forward to November 1969. Life wasn't so exciting and fun. Luis, Manuel and I all lined up one by one and we were injected with our vaccination shots and issued our International Certificates of Vaccination Card from the World Health Organization. Ouch! We still have the needle marks on our arms to prove it. Most immigrants from those days have this tattoo etched on their arms as well and for me it was sense of pride when we were growing up in Australia. I recall showing it off to my schoolmates and friends and relatives in Manila. It was a rite of passage and we knew it wouldnt be long before we were walking up the stairway to a plane bound for Australia. Despite my fathers less-than-perfect start to the whole migration matter there was something he did do very correctly for us. On 6th September 1969, a couple of months before we left for Australia I remember feeling a little uneasy like there was something missing. I realised my father was missing. He wasnt around anymore. It felt very strange. What I now know is that he flew ahead to Australia so he could pave the way for our arrival and ensure it was a smooth transition when we arrived. This strategy will be discussed later in this book so that you and your family can be as organized and as prepared as possible before you arrive in Australia. So it was that on the 19th of December 1969 I boarded a jet along with my mother and brothers Luis and Manuel. Destination: Sydney. I remember the despidida (farewell) party and the actual departure day itself. Seeing my Dad for the first time in months is also etched into my memory. What I cant recall, however, is the flight itself because as I suspected, and Mum verified, I was fast asleep the whole way. Obviously the emotion of the day was too much for me! You might be wondering what happened to my eldest brother Ramon and sister Marilou? They had to remain back in the Philippines for more than three months and eventually on the 1st of April 1970 we became a complete family again. Reunited to start our new lives in Australia. This

is another aspect of migration which hasnt changed in 50 years. Sometimes, due to certain circumstances, families have had to move to Australia in more than one trip. There you have it. I can speak to you about migration from the Philippines to Australia from firsthand experience. Since I became a Registered Migration Agent over 14 years ago I have helped many hundreds of Filipinos experience the same joy that the Respall family did in 1969-70. And, because I want to help you and make sure that your migration experience is a swift and positive one I have stopped long enough to put my expertise on paper. I will commit this to you now as you come to the end of the first chapter. I have been very diligent with an editor and publisher to ensure that this book is set out in such a way that it is an easy read. Migration is a complex topic but you will find that it isnt all that difficult to understand the tips and information I have gathered from my experiences as an immigrant and migration agent, from the many clients I have provided my services to, plus the thousands of stories and anecdotal evidence from my friends, family and the Filipino community in Australia. I want to ensure you avoid all the pitfalls that so many other Filipinos have fallen into in the past. I am a Registered MIgration Agent and I have to operate by a strict Code of Conduct. Sadly, there are unscrupulous individuals and organisations, in and outside of the Philippines, that prey on people like you when you make a visa application to Australia. For this reason I will share my knowledge with you so you can identify an opportunist or unregistered "impostor" and stay clear. I will make myself available to you via Skype, Viber, Tango. email, Facebook and LinkedIn, etc. to discuss your application, whether you are using my services or attempting your own application. This I have committed myself to, so that you and your family can also enjoy the fruits of your labor here in

Australia and share it with our kababayan (countrymen and women) back in the Philippines. Like most materials published in this day and age, the information in this book will become outdated eventually. To ensure you are always kept well informed, I have incorporated this book Avoid The Migration Minefield: How To Migrate To Australia From The Philippines into my website. This allows me to update and correct it and you can confidently retrieve the section of the book you need assistance with for your particular Australian visa application. With todays technology I have been able to create an audio version of Avoid The Migration Minefield: How To Migrate To Australia From The Philippines. You can have this book read back to you - its easier than turning the pages! Simply click ON on the Listen Mode on that particular web page and you can listen to the book in the convenience of your own home or office as you are doing your work or cooking for your family. Right, Mum? Lastly, I would like to point out that you should use this book as an educational guide only to assist you in making that final decision on whether to attempt your application on your own, or to engage the services of an experienced and professional Registered Migration Agent...like, ahem, myself. As an RMA I must maintain a sound knowledge of the Act and Regulations and adhere to the Code of Conduct. This takes time and effort and a dedication to this profession. I trust you will get a lot out of this book. Be with you soon in Chapter Two... It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge and thank the permission given to include further information in writing this book by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) to incorporate

the Code of Conduct and Consumer Guide of OMARA and the following Schedules of the Migration Act 1958 as amended in the Migration Regulations 1994 of DIBP namely:- Item 1215 Prospective Marriage (Temporary) (Class TO), Item 1214C Partner (Temporary) (Class UK), Item 1220A Partner (Provisional) (Class UF), Item 1124B Partner (Residence) (Class BS), Item 1129 Partner (Migrant) (Class BC), Item 1108 Child (Migrant) (Class AH), Item 1211 Extended Eligibility (Temporary) (Class TK), Item 1236 Visitor (Class FA), SCHEDULE 4 PUBLIC INTEREST CRITERIA AND RELATED PROVISIONS, SCHEDULE 5 SPECIAL RETURN CRITERIA, SCHEDULE 6D General points test for General Skilled Migration visas mentioned in sub regulation 2.26AC(1) and SCHEDULE 8 VISA CONDITIONS. MIGRATION BOOK REWRITE V.1 *DIBP 2011-2012

Chapter 2
Emotional Visa Roller Coaster Ride.

Emotional Visa Roller Coaster Ride.

If you have not lodged a visa application before, then the title of this chapter may seem a bit melodramatic. What emotional roller coaster ride? After 14 years of successfully bringing Filipinos to Australia on Fianc, Partner, Spouse and working visas I can easily tell you that for most if not all applicants it has been very emotional. Theres the desire to start life in a new land, mixed with the daunting task of providing a pile of documentation to please the authorities. There's also the waiting and the not knowing if you will be successful or not. Youve already seen that the smallest and most innocent of errors caused my family a lot of stress when we applied to come to Australia back in 1969...and the laws are even more complex today. I place a huge amount of emphasis on emotion control with my clients. Every step of my visa application procedure - supported by how-to videos and simplified paperwork - has been designed to take the anxiety out of the situation. I believe as a professional Registered Migration Agent that I need to protect, especially when you decide to make the application by yourself. Please, please, please forgive me if I appear to be as blunt as a sledgehammer with this, but always remember during the visa application processwhether it is a tourist visa or a more complicated typeyour worst enemy is yourself. Yes, you, and the members of your immediately family. Surely you would have to agree with me that your knowledge and understanding of the Australian visa application process, and the legal requirements set down by the Migration Act of 1958 as Amended in 1994 to secure an Australian visa grant, is limited at best.

Allow me to take this further with an analogy of what I have witnessed time and time again. Im going to use a common scenario of a SkillSelect visa application as my example. The best (most sought after) Filipino engineers, accountants, IT professionals and so on are often not based in the Philippines but are working overseas the Middle East, Southeast Asian countries or Australia as contract workers. Imagine these heroes of our Philippine society sacrificing themselves, their skills and talents to take care of their loved ones. They have to tear themselves away from their families and travel to distant countries in search of better paying jobs and careers. As they travel around they hear stories of fantastic opportunities to work in Australia and how other Filipinos have successfully migrated Down Under on a permanent basis - even if they themselves are in Australia on a temporary work visa. These workers start to compile information and build a personal strategy on how they would tackle an application. Little do they know that whatever information or documents they have picked up along the way are more than likely outdated and the process that was explained to them does not necessarily apply to their particular profession. I will go into greater detail regarding assessing yourself accurately under SkillSelect in the chapters that follow. In fact, as I was writing and editing this book, a swag of changes occurred on the 1st of July, 2013. It affected so many visa classes and subclasses, including SkillSelect. One example...on many occasions, I have been shown visa applications filled out by Filipino engineers claiming they are ready to lodge a valid general skilled migration application to DIBP in Australia. It only takes me a minute or two to see the (multiple) errors. I gently raise my head and with a smile and a soft voice I say, Sorry Po (Sir) but you shouldnt be lodging this application form to DIBP as it is three years old and the forms are so outdated that DIBP will simply return the application to you - if you are lucky.

Predictably I am met with expressions of disappointment and frustration. Then come the objections about having spent so much time and effort in filling out the documentation, or the fact that their colleagues say everything looks correct so what is the problem? I have to tell you that these scenarios - as we process hundreds of them every year - are heart breaking to me and my support team in Makati City, Philippines. Going into a bit more detail...what these engineers dont understand is that they must complete a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) properly. This is part of the qualification assessing process before they are allowed to lodge a valid application under the current SkillSelect program to DIBP. Why is the CDR so important? Because their governing bodies and profession as a whole are not signatories of the Washington Accord - which recognises undergraduate professional engineering courses of study delivered in the Philippines as having equal status with other countries - or the Sydney Accord - which recognises the Engineering Technologist programs of studies delivered in the Philippines as being of equal standard. Im the first to acknowledge that engineers and other professionals are incredibly smart people. However, it takes much more than a degree in engineering or medicine or whatever to understand the intricacies of migration law. I point out to these people that there is a strict rule which says, A submitted CDR which is incomplete when submitted or which does not meet the stated requirements of that particular Engineering or Engineering Technologist profession will not be assessed by Engineers Australia. As you are no doubt starting to realise when it comes to applicants under the General Skilled Migration scheme there are many (too many!) Filipinos attempting to organise and lodge their own application. Maybe they think they can save some money? They wont. Theyll end up spending more and suffering a lot of anxiety. These people fail to

understand that there are strict guidelines and proper procedures regarding what needs to be submitted and when. Get it wrong and you wont be starting that dream job in Australia. Allow me now to provide you with another common example of the emotional visa roller coaster ride. This time it has to do with Fianc, Spouse and De Facto visa applications. Heres an incredible real life scenario which left me gob-smacked. This particular Filipino applicant had to leave the Philippines and travel to Europe to find a better paying job to support her three children who were left back in the Philippines. (This of course is a common situation for many families in the Philippines, unfortunately) The young woman had given birth to her first child at age 19. Because she was so young and was not married to her partner her parents had decided to register the child as their own - to save her from shame (hiya) and embarrassment. Her child was now technically her brother! Remember the difficulties my parents went through just because my date of birth was wrong and my last name was misspelt? Can you imagine where this story is going? DIBP has a strong warning on all of their forms saying "Dont provide false and/or misleading information or documents" with a visa application. Saying that your son is your brother...NO! Like my own personal experience, it was started by well meaning family members trying to help. Stop everything and read this story carefully. You will learn a lot from it, my Kababayan (fellow countrymen and women) in Australia and the Philippines. Now, this is where the plot thickens, as they say in the thriller mystery novels. The woman had two more children to this man and they never married. Eventually the relationship broke down and they went their separate ways. She met another Filipino man who was much younger

than her. From what I had been told he was quite mean towards her children. He was unemployed and, just before she returned to Europe for work, he forced her to marry him. She flew out to Europe, and while she was away from the Philippines, he walked out on her and disappeared into the sunset. (My dear readers remember that mental illness is everywhere and you add that to highly emotional situations men and women do the most unusual things to even the people they love the most).

Lets re-cap. The woman had three children - one of whom is legally her brother (!) - to a man in a de facto relationship and he left her...she married a second man who also left her...she is in Europe and her children are on the other side of the world. Sounds complicated already. This was when things took a turn for the better. Into her life stepped a lovely Australian man who was on holidays in Europe. He fell madly in love with her. She wasnt ready to get involved in another relationship especially so soon after what had earlier happened. However, her Aussie suitor couldnt leave her alone and ended up moving in with her. Apparently he was a very patient and persistent person and despite hearing how messed up her life was he told her he loved her and intended to marry her. He was madly in love. Obviously, he was not in the frame of mind to start thinking about the twists and turns and complexities of their future visa application. Being such an optimist he decided to do it all himself. This is when the nightmare began. This is where so many Australian sponsors come unstuck. They think that the legal system in the Philippines is just like back home and everything will be fine. Not so. I personally love the Philippines. Im a dual citizen of Australia and the Philippines and I spend a lot of time over there each year. But, when it comes to the many levels of government and non-government organisations I am the first to admit that you are entering a crocodile pit. Nothing is black and white or right and wrong. There is graft and

corruption everywhere. And this is the trap that the naive lover was stepping into. The couple flew from Europe to the Philippines for her to introduce the new man in her life to her family and friends. Before long the tsismis (gossip) had got around that the mother of three was going to marry and start a new life Down Under. She went to the DIBP website to get information and realised that the only way to successfully lodge a Spouse visa application was to organise an annulment of her marriage in the Philippines. What her research also uncovered was that the process to file for an annulment was neither clear nor certain. In fact it was a complicated and lengthy process with very confusing procedures that even Filipino legal practitioners find difficult to explain and organise for their clients. Enter a glimmer of hope. Family members told her that for a fee they could arrange for a legal annulment of her marriage. She flew out to Europe, and while she was away from the Philippines, he walked out on her and disappeared into the sunset.Certificate noted of the annulment at the National Statistics Office (NSO). Wow! This was indeed the best news she and her Australian partner had heard. They assumed that this action could be used as evidence in support of their valid and genuine application with DIBP at the Australian Embassy in Manila. The Australian eagerly paid out large sums of money to the group of con men and women and left the process in their capable hands. He must have been feeling good because he took his sweetheart to Australia for a holiday so that she could meet his relatives and friends. He was so happy to have her by his side. He had endured a difficult marriage which ended in divorce and he knew this time everything was going to work out fine. Being madly in love with her he decided to propose to her. He suggested that, because the application for

annulment was being taken care of and was a good bet, they should get married whilst they were in Australia. What an emotional visa roller coaster ride! Growing in false confidence the lovebirds were now making decisions that would further complicate their lives and cause grief, frustration, stress and the loss of a small fortune. They were so blissfully in love that they couldnt see the train wreck hurtling towards them! The newlyweds flew back to the Philippines where their annulment was conveniently produced. Court documents were handed over with official looking seals including a marriage certificate from the NSO. It had cost a lot of money but it seemed they had invested wisely. What was next? Lodge a visa application to DIBP at the Manila post. Everything seemed to be going fine - there was no need for a Registered Migration Agent. Then the stuff hit the fan, as they say. DIBP easily identified that the annulment was fraudulent. They also questioned her about her first marriage. What first marriage? I hear you ask. Apparently, unbeknownst to her, the man from the first relationship, the father of her children, had lodged a fraudulent marriage application with the NSO. He had forged her signature which appeared on DIBPs internal searches. It appeared then that her second marriage was illegal. The list of questions and accusations from DIBP towards the couple went on and on. This episode almost ruined their lives and their relationship. They ended up withdrawing the application because it was riddled with so much false and misleading material. What a mess! What a catastrophe! And, it was totally unnecessary. All of this could have been handled professionally and easily had they had the foresight to go to a qualified RMA. Well, this is when I entered the picture. They contacted me and we sat down together to review their

position. I explained the visa processing system and provided a surefire application pathway that would overcome their unfortunate circumstances. I must mention at this stage that the woman wasnt prepared to reveal to me the whole story of what had happened. She released the information in stages instead of being upfront and explaining the whole saga honestly. She only made it harder for herself. I can probably write a book, no, an entire encyclopedia, about the number and variety of scams that have been perpetrated against unwitting yet willing Filipino victims over the years. My parents spoke about them when I was very young and I found it hard to believe them and yet they were true. Once I was told about the problems that happened with my own application in 1969, I realised that something had to be done about these recurring invalid and not genuine applications. I wanted to contribute to an end to these traumatic experiences for Filipino applicants. Hence, I decided to write this book for you. What you need to understand now before you read any further is that you must be absolutely honest about your circumstances, and explain every aspect of your professional and personal situation in your application, whether you are applying for a SkillSelect, Fianc, Spouse, De Facto, Tourist, Child or Parent visa application and, whether you do it yourself or ask for assistance from a Registered Migration Agent, I urge you to be upfront and completely honest. Its the ONLY way when making an application in migrating to Australia. Back to our luckless couple. Well, because I process hundreds of Fianc, Spouse and De facto Visa applications, and because I am familiar with migration law in Australia and the Philippines, I was able to successfully bring them to Australia where they lived happily ever after!

Phew! That was really emotionaleven for meto recount that tragic real life scenario.. This is a great way to transition into my next chapter in which I explain how to avoid individuals and organisations that are out there with one purpose in mind: to cause you grief and confusion and put you on the wrong side of DIBP. They want your money and they will say anything and promise you the world. But, if they are not a Registered Migration Agent my advice is very simple: walk away.

Chapter 3
YOU WANT ME TO AVOID MYSELF? WHY?

YOU WANT ME TO AVOID MYSELF? WHY?

I have to start with this very important matter because it is a major reason why so many Filipinos allow themselves to become victimised, ripped off and ultimately fail in their bid to start a new life in Australia. You might not want to know this but it is an uncomfortable truth. If youre keen... impatient... anxious... desperate even... about moving from the Philippines to Australia there are thousands of unscrupulous individuals and organisations in the Philippines, here in Australia and in other countries which will promise you the world (heaven) and deliver nothing (hell). They masquerade as professional operators but all they want is your money. And, when you discover that you have been tricked and go searching for them...they will have disappeared. Dont think Im being melodramatic about this. All too often I am called in to fix up people's mistakes and try to rescue them from a terrible situation. Every month I see the ... damage caused to my fellow Filipinos by these ... am I allowed to say it? ... scum.

Do you remember my earlier statement? You are your own worst enemy. Im here to make sure you dont make the wrong decisions, as you read on, I will present information to you to help you start the visa application process the correct way. Firstly, lets set some ground rules for making a valid and genuine visa application to Australia from the Philippines. If you do not intend to use a Registered Migration Agent from Australia, and you want to prepare the visa application yourself, then you are well on your way to becoming another victim of these very clever and persuasive individuals and organisations.

Doing it alone will expose you. You wont have anyone to turn to for sound advice or for guidance. You wont have anyone who can accurately assess your professional or personal circumstances before lodging the application and you will be on your own if the visa application is refused. If that were to occur, you would be without anyone to instruct you on other avenues available to you - for example, applying for a merits review on your particular case. It costs a lot of money to prepare a visa application to Australia. If you rely on your own understanding of the procedures and the requirements, then I guarantee it wont be long before you are stressing out and tossing and turning at night, wondering if you have lodged the application properly. I have been told this thousands of times by applicants in the Philippines and in Australia who didnt think there was any need for a Registered Migration Agent. Did you know that if you fail to lodge a valid and genuine visa application, you are not entitled to any refund from DIBP once it has been lodgedalong with your payment of the sizeable application fee? I have learnt that it is always in my best interests to get the right information and advice from individuals or organisations that have an excellent track record in the area that I want to know more about. If their profession requires some form of registration or accreditation then all the better. This way, I know I will always minimise and manage the risks involved in the activity I am about to embark on. I do this with everything in life. I know I am not a builder so when I need work done on my house I choose a fully licensed and insured tradesperson. I am not a mechanic so I give that responsibility to an accredited and certified automotive technician. I doubt that you have spent the past 14 years studying migration law and reading government regulations. Therefore, please, do not consider yourself qualified to process an application on your own.

There are thousands, no, make that tens of thousands, of con men and women out there pretending to be a Registered Migration Agent from Australia. How can you tell the good guys from the bad guys? The best way of finding out is to actually check on the registry of Registered Migration Agents from the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) at the following website page:www.mara.gov.au/agent/ARSearch.aspx?FolderID=394. (Remember to visit my website on www.respall.com to ensure that this website page for the OMARA is updated). Once I have established that the individual I am dealing with is actually a Registered Migration Agent from Australia, the registry will also provide information such as the year the agent was registered. As an example, my number (RMA No.) is 9901644. This means that I was registered as a migration agent by OMARA in 1999. Thats how long I have been providing my specialised migration services to the Filipino community in Australia and the Philippines. The registry should include a photo of the Registered Migration Agent. Make sure the photo likeness of that person on the registry is the same person in front of you when you meet. It is amazing how many Filipinos have been caught out by corrupt impostors who have provided an RMA licence number and yet, when I ask the client if the person looked like the agents photo on the registry, the answer is, you guessed it, no. Check for a licence number, check the photo. Lets push on and investigate the Registered Migration Agent further to ensure they are suitably experienced for your intended type of application. Those of us who are legitimate professionals have to abide by the Code of Conduct. There are eleven (11) parts to the Code and I will draw your attention to some of the more relevant sections.

I am quoting sections from the Code of Conduct for Registered Migration Agents which is current as of 1st July 2012. This is the most recent version; however, remember to visit my website at www.respall.com to ensure that the quoted sections of the Code in this book are updated. I know government guidelines can be a bit dry but stay with me. This information will help you choose a proper RMA. Here are sections from Part 1 of the Code which I feel is important to share with you: INTRODUCTION 1.1 This Code of Conduct (the Code) is intended to regulate the conduct of registered migration agents. 1.2 The Migration Agents Registration Authority (the Authority) is responsible for administering the Code. 1.3 A person who wants to operate as a registered migration agent must register with the Authority. 1.4 The Code applies to an individual who is listed in the Register of Migration Agents kept by the Authority under section 287 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Migration Act). 1.5 To ensure compliance with the Code, the Authority may impose an administrative sanction if a breach of the Code is found to have occurred. (By the registered migration agent). 1.6 An administrative sanction may range from a caution through to suspension of registration or the ultimate sanction of cancellation of registration. Wow! Now here is a blunt instrument being used by a government authority in Australia to ensure that Registered Migration Agents are behaving themselves and providing a high standard of service to the general community.

Lets drill down a little more in Part 1 and see what else the Code is trying to achieve... 1.10 The aims of the Code are: (a) to establish a proper standard for the conduct of a registered migration agent; (b) to set out the minimum attributes and abilities that a person must demonstrate to perform as a registered migration agent under the Code, including: (i) being a fit and proper person to give immigration assistance; being a person of integrity and good character; knowing the provisions of the Migration Act and Migration Regulations, and other legislation relating to migration procedure, in sufficient depth to offer sound and comprehensive advice to a client, including advice on completing and lodging application forms;

(ia) (ii)

There it is! Bingo! Let me just quote it to you again so it is firmly secured in your thought process. When you decide to use the services of a Registered Migration Agent - which is the smart option as opposed to trying to do everything yourself that agent must (ii) knowing the provisions of the Migration Act and Migration Regulations, and other legislation relating to migration procedure, in sufficient depth to offer sound and comprehensive advice to a

client, including advice on completing and lodging application forms. You see, on my part, unless you are a Filipino national and want to lodge an application in any one of the five (5) visa Class categories that I specialise in then I do not accept the application at all. If your application is outside my area of expertise, I refer your case on to other specialised Registered Migration Agents with different levels of experience. This is clearly illustrated in Part 4 of the Code of Conduct... RELATIONS BETWEEN REGISTERED MIGRATION AGENTS 4.1 Before accepting immigration work, a registered migration agent must consider whether he or she is qualified to give the advice sought by the client. If the agent is unsure, he or she must seek the appropriate advice or assistance, or refer the matter to another registered migration agent. 4.2 A referral may be made, for example, if a registered migration agent is asked for advice on matters for which he or she does not regularly provide immigration assistance. The Code of Conduct has more to say about what Registered Migration Agents from Australia are allowed and not allowed to do. You can obtain a free copy of the Code of Conduct from the OMARA website: www.mara.gov.au/Site-Layout/Code-of-Conduct/default.aspx Remember to visit my website on www.respall.com to ensure that this website page for the OMARA is updated). Now, I am sitting here writing this book and am thinking about all the people I have met over the years who messed up. Some of them eventually made it to Australia, years later, but others are stuck in the Philippines. What more can I do or say that will convince you to use a Registered Migration Agent from Australia? Lets take another look at

the Code of Conduct that governs the activities of Registered Migration Agents from Australia... (iii) completing continuing professional development as required by the Migration Agents Regulations 1998; (iv) being able to perform diligently and honestly; (v) being able and willing to deal fairly with clients; (vi) having enough knowledge of business procedure to conduct business as a registered migration agent, including record keeping and file management; (vii) properly managing and maintaining client records; (c) to set out the duties of a registered migration agent to a client, an employee of the agent, and the Commonwealth and its agencies; (d) to set out requirements for relations between registered migration agents; (e) to establish procedures for setting and charging fees by registered migration agents; (f) to establish a standard for a prudent system of office administration; (g) to require a registered migration agent to be accountable to the client; (h) to help resolve disputes between a registered migration agent and a client.

Here again the Code is ensuring that Registered Migration Agents are actively improving their knowledge of the visa application process for Australia. It is up to the RMA to ensure that any application they accept is being managed and professionally administered on behalf of the applicant.

The Code then proceeds to Part 2 which further clarifies and enforces the need for the migration agent to always protect the best interest of the applicant, thats you.

STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 2.1 A registered migration agent must always: (a) act in accordance with the law (including, for an agent operating as an agent in a country other than Australia, e.g. the Philippines, the law of that country) and the legitimate interests of his or her client; and (b) deal with his or her client competently, diligently and fairly. However, a registered migration agent operating as an agent in a country other than Australia will not be taken to have failed to comply with the Code if the law of that country prevents the agent from operating in compliance with the Code. Etc. and: 2.3 A registered migration agents professionalism must be reflected in a sound working knowledge of the Migration Act and Migration Regulations, and other legislation relating to migration procedure, and a capacity to provide accurate and timely advice. 2.3A A registered migration agents professionalism must be reflected in the making of adequate arrangements to avoid financial loss to a client, including the holding of professional indemnity insurance mentioned in the regulation 6B for the period of the migration agent's registration. 2.4 A registered migration agent must have due regard to a clients dependence on the agents knowledge and experience. 2.5 A registered migration agent must: (a) take appropriate steps to maintain and improve his or her knowledge of the current versions of:

(i) the Migration Act 1958; and (ii) the Migration Regulations 1994; and (iii) other legislation relating to migration procedure; and (iv) portfolio policies and procedures; and (b) either: (i) maintain a professional library that includes those materials; or (ii) if the agents employer, or the business in which he or she works, maintains a professional library that includes those materials - take responsibility for ensuring that he or she has access to the library.

Can you see now how much control is placed over me to ensure that you, the Filipino applicant, are protected? You realise that if I breach the Code I could have my licence taken from me and face a fine or jail term. Thats the protection you have when you choose a Registered Migration Agent in Australia. How much protection is there if you lodge a visa application on your own? None. Is there a Code of Conduct protecting your efforts? No. What kind of security do you have if you ask an unlicensed, unregistered person to look after your affairs? None at all. Zero. Using a Registered Migration Agent from Australia is arguably the best insurance policy against lodging an invalid and non-genuine visa application to Australia from the Philippines. There is simply no other mechanism in the market place anywhere in the world where a branch of a Federal Government department is devoted to ensuring that your best interests are protected. Any other alternative is frankly far too risky. I could have gone on and on about how to avoid this particular website or Facebook page or that You Tube account or particular individual or organisation. But, the fact of the matter is that if you do go ahead on

your own or via an entity not registered with OMARA then...you are not protected. Youre on your own. Good luck. You will need it. This now leads me to the next chapter which I have entitled A Valid And Genuine Visa Application...paano yun? (How is that done?).

Chapter 4
A VALID AND GENUINE VISA APPLICATION...PAANO YUN? (HOW IS THAT DONE?)

A VALID AND GENUINE VISA APPLICATION... PAANO YUN? (HOW IS THAT DONE?)
You would have worked out by now that the reason I took a break from my migration business to create this book was to ensure that people like yourself who want a better life in Australia actually get to make it here. Without being emotionally and financially ripped off. Ive already warned that going solo on the visa application or taking a gamble with an opportunist promising you the world is not the right way to go. However, if after having said that you still decide to do it all on your own then I want to minimise your risk. It would be a pity if after having read this book with all its advice, case studies and real-life examples you become a willing victim because someone told you that the only way to secure a visa grant is to lie and cheat the system. That is just not true! In fact, I put it to you that the ONLY way to make a valid and genuine visa application to migrate to Australia is to be ABSOLUTELY HONEST about your professional or personal background and circumstance to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). If you are ready to make an application to travel or migrate to Australia I would like for you to go to the mirror right now and have a long look at yourself and say, If I make this application to migrate to Australia on my own, do I need to lie and cheat the system in order to secure a visa grant? If the answer is yes, then DONT DO IT! However, if after having performed that exercise you decide that you want to live in Australia and you want to apply honestly and correctly...I suggest that you get in contact with a Registered Migration Agent from Australia who specialises in the application you will need. Book an

appointment and discuss your current professional or personal situation with them. Be ABSOLUTELY HONEST and explain every last detail you can think of. A smart idea before you attend the meeting is to write down a list of matters/issues you are concerned with and want to discuss so that you wont forget anything in the meeting. It is fascinating what you will learn and understand during that initial consultation. The migration agent must advice you of your prospects of migrating to Australia. Not only are you being absolutely honest with them, the agent must be absolutely honest with you as well. This is enshrined in the Code of Conduct in Part 2 which states:

2.6 To the extent that a registered migration agent must take account of objective criteria to make an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations, he or she must be frank and candid about the prospects of success when assessing a clients request for assistance in preparing a case or making an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations. This is so amazing. The simple act of setting an appointment with a Registered Migration Agent from Australia, sitting down and discussing your professional or personal circumstance forces the agent to be frank and candid about the prospects of success when assessing a clients request for assistance in preparing a case or making an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations.

Can this be stated as well if you were trying to assess yourself objectively? (This is impossible, by the way.)

Can this be said as objectively if you were trying to assess your professional and personal circumstance with an unregistered individual (masquerading as a registered agent)? Can this even be stated as objectively if you were trying to assess your professional and personal circumstance by using an unregistered organisation? The answer to these three questions is NO! NO! and NO! The best way - I say the ONLY way - to ensure that you have lodged a valid and genuine visa application to migrate to Australia from the Philippines is to have your professional and personal status carefully and objectively assessed by a Registered Migration Agent from Australia. Youve seen me use the phrase valid and genuine many times and there is a good reason for that. The Code of Conduct was created in such a way that applications to the Australia Federal Government via DIBP by Registered Migration Agents must be valid and genuine in nature. I want to keep drawing your attention to this Code of Conduct. It is your best friend in any application you may wish to lodge to migrate to Australia. Here are just a few more clauses within the Code which force a Registered Migration Agent to lodge a valid and genuine application on your behalf... 2.7 A registered migration agent who is asked by a client to give his or her opinion about the probability of a successful outcome for the clients application: (a) must give the advice, in writing, within a reasonable time; and

(b) may also give the advice orally to the extent that the oral advice is the same as the written advice; and (c) must not hold out unsubstantiated or unjustified prospects of success when advising clients (orally or in writing) on applications under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations.

2.8 A registered migration agent must: (a) within a reasonable time after agreeing to represent a client, confirm the clients instructions in writing to the client; and (b) act in accordance with the clients instructions; and (c) keep the client fully informed in writing of the progress of each case or application that the agent undertakes for the client; and (d) within a reasonable time after the case or application is decided, tell the client in writing of the outcome of the clients case or application.

Can this be stated as well if you were trying to assess yourself objectively? (This is impossible, by the way.) Its an area that I need you, the Filipino applicant, to understand properly and fully accept. Doing so will help us secure your visa grant in the shortest possible time... 2.9 A registered migration agent must not make statements in support of an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations, or encourage the making of statements, which he or she knows or believes to be misleading or inaccurate. If you press on and read the following clauses in Part 2 you will see how the Code wraps the entire application around the fact that the

Registered Migration Agent must always act in the best interests of the applicant and continue to ensure that the application is valid and genuine - even if the applicant insists on including information or documents that appears to be vexatious or grossly unfounded. In other words, it has no hope of success.

2.17 If an application under the Migration Act or the Migration Regulations is vexatious or grossly unfounded (for example, an application that has no hope of success) a registered migration agent: (a) must not encourage the client to lodge the application; and (b) must advise the client in writing that, in the agents opinion, the application is vexatious or grossly unfounded; and (c) if the client still wishes to lodge the application - must obtain written acknowledgment from the client of the advice given under paragraph (b). Note: Under section 306AC of the Act, the Minister may refer a registered migration agent to the Authority for disciplinary action if the agent has a high visa refusal rate in relation to a visa of a particular class.

As you have read directly above, the Federal Minister of Immigration is providing a warning to Registered Migration Agents not to engage in or lodge applications that are not valid and genuine in nature. He has the power to report agents to OMARA for disciplinary action. Can you see where Im coming from? I want to help you but I am only interested in preparing a valid and genuine application. Im not going to risk my licence being taken off me. I can help you get the documentation swiftly through the various government processes but you need to respect my role and be honest and transparent. Tell me everything - even the bad bits. Id much rather know before we start

filling in the paperwork than halfway through the process when DIBP starts saying Whats this?! A Registered Migration Agent will keep you focused on the application process and disciplined in supplying all of the background information as quickly as possible. I guarantee an opportunist unregistered third party wont be so diligent or ethical. And, if by now you are still convinced you can do this yourself, tell me... Do you really understand the consequences of presenting false or misleading information? 2.18 A registered migration agent must act in a timely manner if the client has provided all the necessary information and documentation in time for statutory deadlines. For example, in most circumstances an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations must be submitted before a persons visa ceases to be in effect. Many applicants from the Philippines miss the boat so to speak because they believe that they have plenty of time to lodge their application. This occurs mostly with the SkillSelect categories. Ive heard of people missing out on job opportunities because they cant get to Australia in time for their employer. At the same time, did you know you can lodge an application too soon? I see this a lot with the de facto visa category when the applicants havent yet met the 12 month co-habitation period that the Australia Government requires. 2.19 Subject to a clients instructions, a registered migration agent has a duty to provide sufficient relevant information to the Department or a review authority to allow a full assessment of all the facts against the relevant criteria. For example, a registered migration agent must avoid the submission of applications under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations in a form that does not fully reflect the circumstances of the individual and prejudices the prospect of approval.

Each visa category is unique. They are all processed by the same Government department in Australia but they all have their own idiosyncrasies. I have spent every day of my professional life since 1999 making sure I found every known legal way of securing a valid and genuine application. Later in this book I explain the different categories and point out what the Australian visa requirements are for Filipino applicants. l profession stakeholders 2.20 A registered migration agent must: (a) find out the correct amount of any visa application charge and all other fees or charges required to be paid for a clients visa application under the Migration Act or the Migration Regulations; and (b) give the client written advice of the amount of each fee and charge; and (c) if the agent is to pay an amount for the client - give the client written advice of the date by which the amount must be given to the agent so that the interests of the client are not prejudiced; and (d) give the client a written notice of each amount paid by the agent for the client. Yes, I know Im asking you to read a lot of government fine print but there is method in my madness! Im proving to you that the Code is a checklist which you follow to ensure that your visa application is lodged validly. The extract above mentions fees. Here is another area you should be aware of. DIBP usually review their fees at least three times per year and therefore they may increase their VAC charges during the course of application process. Just knowing this could be the difference between lodging a valid or invalid visa application. 2.21 A registered migration agent must not submit an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations without the specified accompanying documentation. For example, in a marriage case, threshold documentation would include a marriage certificate and evidence that the sponsor is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, without which

assessment of the case could not proceed (unless the agent has a reasonable excuse or the client has requested the agent to act despite incomplete documentation). Threshold documentation. Do you have any idea what that is? On many occasions I have been approached by frantic Filipino applicants both here in Australia and in the Philippines (where I operate an office with a large team of migration documentation specialists) and by knowing which documents were required for their particular visas I was able to submit valid and genuine applications in time before their other visa had ran out or before they had turned a particular age. 2.23 A registered migration agent must take all reasonable steps to maintain the reputation and integrity of the migration advice profession. 8 When I read this I smile and think How holistic is this particular clause in ensuring a Registered Migration Agent from Australia must behave and provide the best possible service to their clients. Let me repeat, the Code of Conduct is your best insurance cover in lodging an application. And an application which is valid and genuine will be approved and granted in the fastest possible time. I would like to personally encourage you now to stop and consider the consequences of lodging an invalid and non-genuine application to migrate to Australia. Consider the many impacts on you, your partner and your children. Consider the impact on your finances. Consider for a moment the affect it will have on your general wellbeing and the stability in your life. I put it to you as well that wouldnt it be refreshing to find out after consulting a Registered Migration Agent from Australia that all of the concerns you currently have can easily be resolved - by legal and common sense remedies.

No more sleepless nights! Engaging a Registered Migration Agent from Australia can and often does open a lot more doors and opportunities for you than attempting it by yourself or using unregistered third parties. You will understand the procedure better and you can rely on a registered professional who clearly understands what might be a complicated and confusing visa application.

Gift Certificates for you to share!

Gift Certificates for you to share!

Closing Statements
I greatly appreciated the speed and efficiency with which the agency has provided me my permanent residency in Australia. It has been an effortless transition from being a dream to a reality. Thank you very much to Jose Respall and Triny Anque for making it possible. Outstanding service and client satisfaction indeed. Cheers! -Jasmin Manabat

They are very competent, and the consultants, they are very professional. At the very first stage, they will tell you right away if a visa for you would be possible, they would never give you false hopes and that I think is one factor that makes them very successful, they are very transparent to their clients. Ive been in Perth for two months now, Im adjusting, but its a wonderful place, Im now working in a mining company for operations cost control. I pray that Ill be able to fulfill my plans and realize my dreams, here in Australia. -Andrevel Velasco Not only has your service been thoroughly professional, you and your team have shown a great breadth of experience and genuine friendliness which was much appreciated. And now I have already a job here and enjoying the spirit of a new country. I am looking forward for the success of everyone with your help and guidance and more power to the company The Respall Migration. -Jojo A. Castillon & Family

It was a very smooth process, very cool imagine less than two months! To be exact it was one month and twenty four days when I was finally grantedNAX YOU GUYS ARE SO AMAZING! BRAVO! Now that Im already here in Australia with my partner, once again thank you for being with me all the way and for guiding me and understanding every

details of my application which led me to the granting of my visa in the earliest possible time. MARAMING SALAMATWhat else can I say THANK YOU for your excellent service and best regards to all and I will never forget you especially you Miss Triny! GOD BLESS & MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ALL! - Lilibeth Gamban I would like to take this chance to thank you and Mr. Jose Aniceto Respall for opening our chances here in Adelaide, you have made a dream to a reality. Not saying starting out Downunder is a bed of roses - there are challenges left and right! But because you handled our affairs in the Philippines so well, you made our start here a good one. The Permanent Visas for my family, instructions on how to start once we got here, the IELTS reviews, our Medicals...the professional and personal touch your company gave was outstanding! I say it is money well spent and when people in the Philippines and even here in Australia ask me how my family did it, I always tell them I did it through RESPALL and give them Ms. Ellen\'s e-mail addie, office number and local. -The Nadres family

I was once refused to obtain a tourist visa and never thought that I could still make it to Australia until my sister in Australia search through the internet for outstanding migration firm and choose RESPALL Migration Australia. She was never wrong of RMA. Now I already have an Australian Visa at last! That is why, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent service provided to me by RESPALL MIGRATION AUSTRALIA and AUSTRALIAN PROJECT SERVICES in obtaining an Australian Visa. The people behind RMA and APS are exceptionally efficient, highly reliable, extending courteous, trustworthy and professional services. They are people who do extra work to make sure that all paperwork is correct and proper. The staffs are very knowledgeable of their duties and responsibilities to

their clients. They have a straightforward approach to your application and follow a strict compliance to the CODE OF CONDUCT, making them worthy of your trust. They are very dedicated in REACHING OUT and HELPING FILIPINOS migrate to Australia. Special thanks to Mr. Jose Respall for the motivation and to Ms. Lorelie Lancero and Ms. Jayvee Lancero for being patient in handling my application. Thanks for everything! All of you have been wonderful and we truly appreciate your efforts. -Leenanie Rubin and Ma. Lorena Cubero

First, they start by being frank (they assess you and tell you objectively your chances of immigration). Then they become helpful (they provide necessary and timely support to help you go through the intricacies of the application process and the rigors of waiting). Then they become emphatic (they are as ecstatic as you are when your visas get approval.) -Ronald, Monet, Gerard, Nathan & Usaac BUCUD

I still remember when the first time I step on your office and assess if I and my family can migrate to Australia. I thought it was very hard but through your office and excellent job of your staff my dream came true. I was really happy the way your staff (especially Miss Ellen) deal with us from the time of prospective application all through-out the processing of papers and the release of visa. I have recommended your agency to some of my friends, relatives & kababayan who wish their family migrate here Australia. More Power and Best Regards. Ruth Solis and Ernesto Solis -Earah & Shakira Solis

It was late last year when I first thought of applying for an Australian residence visa. I searched thru the internet forums to weigh the pros and cons of getting the services of a migration agent, with the option of

working on the application all by myself. It turned out that for so many positive reasons, it is still best to hire somebody who can assist and represent me in my visa application. Thus, I decided to further explore the online forums and look for the best and most recommended migration agents. It took me about 3 weeks before I was able to narrow down my list into 3 potential agencies. To all three, I submitted my qualifications and requested for an initial assessment to check if I am eligible to migrate to Australia. Gladly, everyone responded positively so I attended their invitation for an orientation. One of the 3 agencies I visited is the Austalian Project Services (APS) a.k.a Respall Migration Agent (RMA). Comparing the way they conduct their orientation and just by mere looking at their facilities, you will readily notice that APS/RMA stands out among others. When you ask them questions, you can easily tell that the APS staff are much more well-informed and competent in what they do.When finally I had chosen APS and started working on my requirements, I became more and more convinced that I really do have picked the right people to assist me. Everything is systematic. They have a well-structured documentation system, one of the reasons why they are very efficient. I would say that this is the most critical part of this undertaking. That is, to be able to get the right and trustworthy migration agent, because in the end, this whole process is all about investing not just your hard-earned money, but your time and effort as well. -Christian Ebio

When we first thought of migrating to Australia, our prayer was for God to make the entire process an easy ride. And then He showed us the way to the Makati office of the Australian Project Services of Mr. Jose Aniceto Respall. One year after our first meeting with Ms. Triny Anque, the ever reliable TRINY, we got what we aimed for, an Australian Permanent Resident VISA for our family. - Joefran Macapanton

I wish to thank Australian Project Services for their excellent work in acting for us with our application for Annas visa. As former Managing Director and Quality Assurance Manager of my own manufacturing company in Melbourne for over 30 years I am very much aware of the need for correct documentation and experience in dealing with any government agencies at all levels. I found Australian Project Services knowledge of the system and their service to be exemplary in the execution of their duties and responsibilities. Please accept our sincere gratitude for your hard work and we will be pleased to recommend Respalls and Australian Project Services to anyone contemplating a visa application to come to Australia. I would also be please to talk to anyone personally regarding that recommendation. - Jeffrey Elsum Australian Project Services is the fastest way down under. In less than a year from the time we engaged their services, we had our passports stamped with Australian Visa. Our dream of migrating to Australia is now within reach. To Mr. Respall, you are the best. Youre professionalism and dedication in providing migration services is amazing. To Jayvee, Triny, and the rest of APS staff, thank you for assisting us in all our requirements. You all did a pretty good job. We will never forget this experience. It is one of the best things that happened in our life. We will surely recommend you to all the Filipinos who are dreaming of living in OZ. -Gil & Lei Ramirez

My family and I were really fortunate to have Australian Project Services as a migration agent. At first, I was really reluctant to proceed with my application knowing how so many gimmicks there are behind migration centers in the Philippines. But I have found very professional and honest people to help realize my dreams. A rare company that will not dare take advantage of your situation but would rather always deal with your exact chances. I would like to make a special shout out for

Ms. Triny Anque who has guided us through the whole process. Truly expert!!! Thanks Ms. Triny. Now, I am already living here in Australia with my family. More power to APS. -Arnold Piaa I have witnessed how my relatives and friends tediously and time consumingly processed their own visa applications. But with APS, you are guaranteed peace of mind and security of your time, money and effort. I paid only a few visits to APS office. APS' courteous, trained and professional staff took care of everything I was supposed to do. APS updates me from time to time and I never had the feeling of neglect, only guaranteed assurance of the status of my application. No second thought of recommending APS to anyone who might want to migrate to Australia. It'll be expectations met and satisfaction guaranteed! More power to APS' mission and vision! - Laureano Francisco Jr. My wife and I were initially skeptical in applying for Australia visas despite instruction from my sister-in-law who is an Australian citizen. This was because we knew that doing so would mean spending a considerably huge amount and the same would no longer be refundable in the event that our application becomes unsuccessful. We also knew of some people who were aspiring to live and work abroad only to be victimized by illegal recruiters in the end. Nevertheless, we tried to think things over and subsequently realized that this was one of those opportunities that we must grab for our two children to have a better and more secured future. We realized that this was something worth spending for and a risk worth taking so we decided to go on with the same. Our decision was further strengthened by the sincerity and integrity of Ms. Ellen Pantaleon of Australian Project Services (APS) whom we met in her office in Makati City following an advertisement in the newspaper. She was very honest and knowledgeable in explaining to us all the possible, consequence, both positive and negative, of

every stage of our application even before we actually commence with the same.

She was also a good listener and was very accommodating in answering all our queries relating to our application. Just by talking to her personally, we knew right- away that she was the right person and APS was the right agency for the job. Similarly, Mr. Respall was very accommodating and was very encouraging in his words even without actually guaranteeing the success of our application. We really felt that, unlike other agents, APS was more concerned with the welfare of its clients rather than with making profit out unqualified applicants. -Kim, Monique Sacaguing and Kids (Sam & Gab)

I love the Philippines but migrating to Australia opened up a whole avenue of opportunities for me and my husband. For those who are thinking of employing the services of APS, dont think twice, GO FOR IT! It was one of the best decisions (and investment!) weve made as a family. To Mr. Jose Respall, Triny, Jayvee and everyone at APS --- we appreciate everything youve done for us. Thank you very much. May God bless you more and more! -Joseph and Reia Salazar

It was on 28 Oct 2004 when I first stepped into Mr. Respalls office, Australia Project Services. Its still fresh in my memory how accommodating Triny and the rest of the staff were. All the details that I need to know then were clearly explained point by point. They have helped me a lot especially during the time when I enrolled through a Distance Learning Program until such time when they handed to me the approved VISA. The patience of Mr. Respall, Triny, Grace, Ellen and the rest of the staff really gave me a lot of encouragement to

pursue a new life here in Australia!...I will be greatfull to all of you for the rest of my life!!!! - Maria Fe Alcover It's been several weeks since we've arrived in Perth Australia and we still couldn't believe we made it here. It's beautiful here and we would not have made it without APS help especially Kristine. I have been looking for a good MIA registered agent when I went to Manila to help me with our application and I only found five. I checked each one but the only one who stood out with the most reasonable fees and great service was APS. Kristine was very helpful and straightforward with her replies always updating us with facts that we needed to know. Our application was made so easy for us, all we needed to do was sign documents. Our application was so accurate and fast that our visa was granted so much earlier than expected. I have been telling all my friends who are looking to go abroad that APS is the one to look for. So APS will definitely be expecting alot of applications, adding to the so many applications that they have already. Once again thank you APS and more power. -MIKE & CHARMAINE FERNANDEZ

I remember, almost a year ago, my husband and I browsed through the net in search for a registered agent that would help us try our luck in Australia. We saw the name of Mr. Jose Respall as one of the registered agents, instantly we felt like his name alone almost denotes utmost professionalism. We immediately called their office and started with the initial assessment. And you know the one great thing about them is that they never lead you to any false hopes. They will tell you upfront the entire pros and the cons, unlike any other agency out there. All the processing has never been difficult when you have someone as efficient as Ms. Triny along with the rest of their team. She

is really knowledgeable in the area and would not let you have any bit of difficulty in the process. -Mr. Aldrin & Yzza Paelmaa Talk about QUALITY SERVICE! I have never encountered a service firm with as much dedication and as much kindness to its clients. Getting an Australian VISA was a distant dream for me then. APS turned my biggest dream into reality. Everyone in APS boasts of professional competence, unparalleled efficiency, impeccable character and unquestioned integrity! To Jayvee, for being always COOL!!! To Triny, for the constant REASSURANCE!!! To Mr. Respall, many thanks for your GENEROSITY!!! And to Grace, you are the BEST!!! Thank you for being with me all the way!!! I never would have been able to do it without you guys!!! -Jay-r Hizola Jose is the man! He knows his stuff and handled my application in the most efficient and professional manner. He kept good contact and communication throughout the application process and helped me get my permanent residency in less than 6 months time. If you want an agent who treats you like a friend rather than just another name in a huge pile of forms, hes the guy for you. He even managed to keep my dad calm while the application was in process ;-) Im now working full time and hope to open my own business here in Australia within the next year. Thank you for all your help and I wish you all the best for the future. -Patsy

I made the right decision when I engaged Australian Project Services (APS) for my migration application. With the ever straight-forward Mr. Respall at the helm, the staff dealt with me professionally, giving me updates of my application every step of the way. I appreciated their concerns specially when our application had its hitches and they gave

me encouragement that everything will fall into its proper place. I believe them because they work hard to achieve their commitments to their clients and they were able to deliver results. - Randell Bartolazo

Just yesterday Karlo celebrated his 1 month since arriving in Australia. He has managed to settle in quickly and with ease. Having landed himself in a comfortable job after 1 week of arrival, and now preparing to celebrate his first Christmas in Sydney we have only to thank one special person who made this possible. We call her the salt of the earth for her honesty. We hide no skeletons in the cupboard with this lady, she was able to retrieve every piece of information which accounted as proof of our marriage. She knows more about our relationship than any other person we know! She is a woman who is always armed at all points, always preparing in advance and prewarning us of those uninvited scenarios. She deserve a room at the top for her ambitious attitude, she certainly appears to be one who reaches for the stars just to make her clients are successful. Karlos application was received by the Australian Embassy on the 22nd August 2008 and he received his Visa Grant on 30th September 2008, it took us only 40 days! We, Karlo and May Ann would sincerely like to thank Triny for giving us a memory we will forever hold in our hearts. We will certainly recommend your services. Hope to see you in Sydney! -Karlo and May Ann Musta na pasensya na,di ko maisip how will I say my thank you to u and to Mr.Jose Respall, to all the assistance that you did for me, and to Mr.Jose Respall ,for the assistance and support to my wife preparing all the paper works and considering our financial status was a big help to us. No words i can think to thank you, for a matter of 2 months(april

28-june 30),since u lodged my application I am reunited with my family here in Australia, I am so thankfull to U to Mr.Jose Respall. Salamat salamat. -Arman

One thing I admire in Respall is honesty, which considered as their virtue and their main reason for existence. All our supporting documents were authentic and we are not encouraged to produce any falsification of data, so we could migrate to Australia without worries because our visa application is official and valid. So if you have special skills, you want to migrate in Australia and change your life, start it with Respall! -Steven & Tanya

We thank you so much Triny for such an outstanding effort for the fiancee visa for Ailleene. You made it so easy and you were right with everything you told us before we went ahead with it. We only waited for 4 months for the fiancee visa to be granted.We are very happy now and thanks to you and the Respall team.You made it possible Triny, you are an angel sent from heaven. We will be lodging the spouse visa here soon. I recommend anyone who needs help for migrating to Australia to contact Triny at Respall.You are the best in the business without a doubt Triny. -Danko & Ailleene I am so grateful that I found RESPALL because the quality of work and attention they displayed throughout the process was exceptionally impressive. I feel extremely fortunate to have found RESPALL, and confident that our visa application was in the right direction. They guided us down to new directions we never saw before. Their passion to respond for every query is evident in every call, meeting and

email. Their service from start to finish has been exemplary and on a professional, knowledgeable, yet friendly level that surely meet DIBP requirements. Nothing ever seems to be too much trouble to you and I am made to feel stress-free and comfortable. In fact, it took only less than 6 months for me to get a PR visa from the date of lodgment and it could have been lesser if only I had secured my PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) earlier. I have tried myself to obtain the requirements by DIBP such as Engineers Australia (EA) skills assessment, IELTS, etc. and it was so stressful. Searching from forums every question you may want to ask, monitoring updates from DIBP and EA. It took me the long way and it was a blessing that in my journey I found RESPALL which took me the direct route to Down and Under. With RESPALL, we have waited our visa without pressure at all and more importantly, with peace of mind. Needless to say, I highly recommend RESPALL. - Bobby Diza Right from the start RESPALL impresses me with their efficient professional manner. I would highly recommend RESPALLs services to anyone, especially Ms. Jessa. They kept me well and truly informed of all correspondence in regards to my immigration visa processing, explaining the process very well and even though I was stressed and worried, she made the process smooth sailing for me. APS company knowledge is very high standard. They were very persistent and definitely have got determination and passion in their profession and as a result of this the outcome was positive and very satisfactory. So, to Mr. Jose Respall, Maam Jessa and the rest of APS Team, we would like to give our sincerest thanks! They were a pleasure to work with and we are very grateful and highly recommend RESPALLs services to anyone else when applying for migration services as a reliably, honest, accommodating, kind, trustworthy and a friendly agent who will go miles in making your dreams come true. I hope that you may continue helping people whose dream is to call this wonderful land their home. I really appreciate your cooperation and for keeping me updated

during the process of my application. Indeed, you are doing a marvelous job and I hope you will keep it up! -Mae A. Castillon

It was really my dream to go to Australia. Ive done my research through internet and friends and I realized that it will not be an easy process. For an overseas worker like me, it would really be a very tough job - from the documents required to the filling up of forms. Through referral from a good friend, I learned about Respall. At that time that friend also has a pending application as skilled worker in Australia. I did not waste my time and directly I contacted Ms. Lorelie Lancero. She discussed to me everything clearly and answered all my queries patiently, however I was quite hesitant because of the cost involve. I never regret engaging their service because they have exceeded my expectations. The service I got from them was exceptional. Ms. Lorelie, who was my agent, was very accommodating. Because I am working abroad, I have to contact her through e-mail from time to time for important and even not-so-important questions, and I am very grateful for she never failed to reply to each and every question that bothers me. Even in gathering of my school documents, they willingly extended their help as much as they could. It was not an easy journey. I almost gave up in my application but Ms. Lorelie never gave up on pushing me to continue and finish the process. She never get tired in following me up regarding additional requirements but in a very nice and gentle way. And I am really pleased with her together with all the staffs of APS for all their effort in assisting me and my husband. The customer service given by the whole team was truly remarkable. Our Australian dream is indeed a dream come true. Without APS assistance and Gods amazing grace, this dream would have not come true. May God continue to bless you with more clients and may the

whole team, together with Mr. Respall, continue to be a blessing for millions of Filipinos in fulfilling their Australian dreams. - Jinky Lou Gonzales Guinto

Notes: