I went to a visa agent who seemed quite affable and promised me that i will get a visa if i follow his guidance to a T. When I asked him how much does he charge he replied that all his services are absolutely free. All I need to do is to procure a no-objection letter from the UK University where I want to go. He will do the audit of my finances and provide a covering letter which has to be submitted at the British High Commission for visa.
Nothing in this world comes free...he does sound fishy.
Can anyone tell how does this bloke earn money? If I am not paying somebody sure is paying him. Question is who and why. Sharing of past experience would be extremely beneficial for the newbies.
Thanks.
_Nes

Sounds a little fishy, indeed. But I've never heard of a visa agent before (only immigration lawyers - who are definitely NOT free!!) I'd call the school you're going to to and ask them how to best proceed.

i am always careful with "free rides" - there is no such thing, and in this case, it can be a scam to rip you off, or use your details to rip someone else off or forge some papers.....

we could be missing something though.

ohh my god I feel like we are living in the 15 century and if you guys still think in that way I will get furious .... cumon guys of course they get commission from the university they have a contract with and its range from 10% up to 25%...now guys how shameful do u feel now....I wouldn't expect a Q like that from u nblueblaze....Listen guys there is a BLACK BOX inside your head "Could you please work it out?????!!!!!".

Hope not to see any kind of these silly questions again with a silly answers from other members.


Khaled

Hi Khaled/All,

I suspected so...its just that i was a bit curious...

Taking help for admissions in UK/US/Australia Unis is a common practice in most of the Asian/African and S.American countries...When I asked for tip most of my peers referred names of some popular consultants-cum-agents in my country. These agencies help students in everything...literally everything...they write SOP, LORs, even fill up the forms!!! But you need to pay the price. I went to an agent for the so called counseling (actually its a brainwash!), the agent asked me to cough up $500 and they will do everything!

I could not muster the magnanimity of paying him the amount cz its my hard earned money...I walked out of his office and did everything...of course the hard work did paid off in the form of receiving offers from 11 b schools but the process almost killed me! its was next to impossible to take leave from office for working on getting docs attested and continuous improvement on the SOP after coming from office (9hrs) was painful. I did have a choice and I chose to be a miser and a honest man!! lol!

Now that its time to apply for visa, i seriously wanted to take their help. primarily since I am not cheating anyone in this process secondly the work pressure is more hectic and going to banks for statements, attestation etc would again drive me to a point of insanity.

So I visited this agency -- http://www.campusuk.com/ . I was completely taken aback when the person told that "our services are completely free!!!" I was kinda happy. I am saving money!! They asked to get a no objection letter from the Uni I am gonna join...they would do the rest. I requested a letter of no-objection from the Warwick. they agreed to sent it.

But something is indeed missing...why would the Uni pay the agent who is helping a candidate only to get a visa? after all the candidate has already accepted the place...either way I am coming isnt it?!! Something is fishy...who is paying this dorky agent?!...so this post/thread!!!!

So...well...if you happen to wonder what did I do at last...hmmm...let me tell you the rest of the story...after the Uni and I said 'yes' to the agency...they didnt contact me for 1 full week and I couldn't also reach out to them.

Yesterday (15.05.2008) the agent called me and Informed me that I need to pay a nominal amount to get MY bank account audited! Okay, the cat is out of the bag...and the amount is $100...if you are wondering what is exactly is meant by audit for him...well its just that 'I' will go to the bank, 'I' will ask to get a 6 months statement printout, 'I' would get every page of the printout stamped by the bank manager. What will he do? 'He' will just call up the manager and confirm if the existing balance in the statement is same as in the account!!! FANTASTIC!

I love my hard-earned money and I am not comfortable striping my family's personal savings naked before the bloke. Well, I said NO to his generous offer and I am back in action!

Treat this thread as the 'Curious case of Nes'...Hope you had a good read...Ciao!

-Nes