Down Under Visa started because “I had a dream”. Not literally, however it was a bit like that. I got involved with online discussion forums for western/Filipina couples many years ago, and ended up running one myself with a few mates. The thing is, I found that I got a satisfaction out of helping Filipina/Westerner couples that I wasn’t getting from my regular work. Slightly disturbing at the time.
So it wasn’t that surprising that I later became a Registered Migration Agent, and concentrated on spouse visas and fiancé visas from the Philippines because nothing felt quite so “right” as helping Aussie men make their own families with good and decent Filipina ladies. I had done it! Time to share it around! And I think people can see this and sense this.
The business of Down Under Visa
The last 6 months or so have been very very busy. Every month seems to see us setting new records for clients signing up and for visa applications lodged, both partner visas and tourist visas. It remains the same management team of me (Jeff Harvie), Mila and Jeremy. And it will always remain a family business, when Jeremy eventually gets sick of me and puts me out to pasture. We have administrative staff mainly for checking documents, filing things, sending out emailed reminders, etc. I still manage every application personally, and not a single item or email leaves the office without my scrutiny.
And actually, the primary task of our admin staff is to take many of the admin tasks OFF myself and Jeremy in particular so we can concentrate better on the needs of our clients.
I’ve always had a particular dislike for the cold, “corporate” approach to clients. The “Certainly sir, and would you like fries with that?” approach. I hate the fakeness and the coldness, and I won’t tolerate it at Down Under Visa. These are PEOPLE at the other end of the email or assessment form. People with dreams of happiness, contentment and security that a good marriage brings. The very stuff that makes us human.
I’m relieved that the month of June is over, because it wasn’t easy trying to maintain our high standards when we had so many applications to get out. But then, we were driven by the care we have for our clients and we definitely saved a large number of our clients from extra spending to swell the Government coffers. It mattered to all of us, which is why we were putting in 14 – 16 hour days, 7 days a week.
But anyway, we did what we set out to do, and July is seeing us tidying up loose ends in our management so we can make the process smoother for you, our clients. You are what matters to us, and we will continue on our mission which is to never let a client down. No matter how busy we get, that won’t change.
Slow visa processing
Lately I think many of you know that visa applications have been slow to be processed, which has meant slow visa grants especially for tourist visas and for those who are waiting here in the Philippines for partner visas to be finalised. Over the last week, we’ve had lots of grants. Still not all, but I’m confident that they are working through the pile.
And we DO understand the frustration and stress and emotional overflows that happen as a result of this. Most of you have been patiently waiting, but some of you have let fly at us. Every day there are a few who have vented at us. I’ve been told to “do my job” and to “get on the phone”, and had that overall insinuation that I should somehow be doing something that will get their visa granted right now.
Please understand it doesn’t work like that, and it never has. And we’ve made this clear in every possible way ever since you signed up. We have no power over the processing of applications. We can’t demand updates, or explanations, or firm dates as to when individual applications will be finalised, and we can’t demand that they work faster. Nagging is not part of our job, and that’s why it’s not in the Agreement we signed with you. “Our job” right now is to take care of visa applications at-hand, and to wait just like you are for the applications in the Embassy to be processed.
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jeff, some might get frustrated,believe me I am, but not with you or your help. Most of us are patient and trust your judgment.