Linda King, UK - Skilled Migration (Office Manager)

I just wanted to thank you for all the work that you have put it into my application for me. I do appreciate your patience, your guidance, support and your ability to put what is a very complicated process into 'English'!

When I started the visa trail 18 months ago I was told by an agent in the UK that I wouldn't stand a chance in gaining a visa for residency in Australia due to my job title. He told me to go back to college and retrain and then maybe try again in 2/3 years ... my heart sank. To be honest when I found Acacia Immigration on the internet, it was the first real time I had gone and searched for anything on the web, best 10 minutes I ever spent on a computer! I was determined that it wasn't necessary for me to retrain in anything, surely having a sister there, my languages, my office skills etc would be of benefit to someone in Australia?!! .. and you proved me right!

I can honestly say that it has been a true delight working with you on this long-winded process and I would like to thank you for putting up with my incessant questions and my constant nagging - when you're half way round the world and wondering what on earth is going on, it is good to know that when you ask a question, you will have a response the following day. That is what I call excellent customer service.

I haven't worked out my plan of action yet but I have no doubt I shall be in Sydney before Christmas and will call on you and ensure I buy you that pint!

On behalf of the Parkers (Mum and Dad), Kings (me!) and the Fitzgeralds (sister, bro-in-law, niece and the new arrival - due next week!), I thank you very much for everything you have done throughout the last 12 months, including staying positive!

Linda King

Suzy Tawse, UK - Spouse Visa

I first approached Acacia Immigration for advice by email on a de facto spouse visa, and was impressed by the speed of reply as well as the quality, including a documents checklist. Further queries were also quickly responded to which led to my engaging Acacia to act on my behalf on my arrival in Australia.

My application, which was not without complications, was subsequently approved within 6 weeks of lodging thanks to good information-sharing and excellent follow-up by Acacia's principal, Mark Webster, and staff.

Furthermore, I was able to move onto full Permanent Residency status immediately rather than the 2-year temporary visa - an absolute bonus.

I would recommend Acacia Immigration's services to any prospective client, whether applying from overseas or within Australia.

Suzy Tawse

Geir Mathilassi, Norway - Skilled Migration (Manager - AIM Assessment)

I wanted to write you a few words of thanks for your help in getting the Permanent Residence Visa for my family and me.

What from time to time seemed like an impossible mountain to climb, became a hassle free and efficient process. Your expertise and integrity is second to none, and looking back at the whole process, I don't think we could have done anything better or different.

Though a lot of documentation had to be done for my skills assessment with The Australian Institute of Management, the outcome could not have been better. I even use this assessment result as a bullet point in my C.V.

Your good tip of getting more than one set of certified copies was also very useful, and cost efficient.

The large number of practical questions that I have also raised before during and after the visa process, you have also clarified in a speedy and accurate manner.

I am thoroughly enjoying life here at the Gold Coast. It's a bit to warm this time of the year, but the constant breeze from the ocean, is keeping it liveable. After all, the climate was a key factor for us moving here. I only have to look at the temperatures in Europe, and I am sure I will "suffer" through it.

Many thanks to you, and best wishes

Geir Mathilassi

Michael Mounteney, UK - Skilled Migration (IT Professional)

Michael Mounteney

Alexandre Kourkov, Russia - Skilled Migration (IT Professional)

Mark, I don't know how I could ever repay for what you've done. I know I've already paid for your services and this is your job, but there's something more to it that cannot be measured in dollars. I'm so glad I ran onto your web address in June 2001 !

I thank you very very much for your great work and your time !

best wishes and best regards,

Alex, the new Aussie

Harman Singh, India - Skilled Migration (IT Professional)

My migrant visa got granted on 02/22/2002, the consulate has asked for my passport to place the visa on it so i have submitted that too. I thought i should let know that it was with your careful presentation of my case it got approved before time. I would highly recommend to all or any of my friends who would be interested in migrating to Australia.

Thank You Very Much.

Regards

Harman

Antony Bishop, UK - Skilled Migration (Automotive Electrician)

Thanks to Marks professional handling of my application 1 year later I had my Visa in my passport and now my family and I are happily living in Australia.

Mark I cant thank you enough for what you have done for my family and i. I would have no worries recommending you and your company to anyone who is considering in Immigrating and require the up most in service and professionalism.

Kind Regards,
Antony Bishop.

Chantal Abitbol, USA - Skilled Migration (Journalist)

Today, I'm finally an Australian because I had the best migration agent in town. Thanks, Mark, for helping me get through the process and securing my visa. You held my hand every step of the way and always took care of business fast and conscientiously. You and your staff really live up to the Australian saying, "No worries." Without a doubt, I'd recommend your company to anyone interested in reliable and trustworthy service.

Almost 15-months ago, I first approached Mark to help me with my application. At first, I was reluctant to proceed, weary of the paperwork and lengthy process. Without being pushy, Mark listened to my concerns and explained how the process works. He then reviewed my credentials and gave me an honest opinion of what my chances were at receiving residency. From that point on, he steered me through every stage -- even though I was half a world away. I could call Mark anytime to find out what was going on with my application, and he always knew what the latest was. Now, a little more than a year later, I got my visa on time without any delay or mishap.

If anyone also wants to tackle this process, I'd put my complete faith in Mark's hands. He's honest, reliable and personable and never treats you like a number. He puts a face to your application and makes sure immigration officials get all they need to consider your application favorably.

Thanks again, Mark. Can't wait to celebrate Down Under.

All the best,

Chantal Abitbol
United States

Dolores Turro, Argentina - Skilled Migration (IT Professional - RPL)

People in Latin cultures believe that efficiency and a friendly, encouraging attitude don't really go well together. I have always disagreed, and reality has proved again that such a 'marriage' isn't impossible. I had the pleasure of meeting you in Sydney over two years ago, in March 2001, to be more precise, and I was totally full of doubts. I could hardly believe I would be able to make it to Australia as a legal resident unless I married someone (such as in the movie "Green card"), or there was the unlikely job offer. My lucky stars led me to your website, and by the answers you gave to my desperate questions then, I realized you would certainly be able to show me the way. I went back to Buenos Aires feeling that everything was possible.

It was a longish way, but since life isn't always what we want it to be, I learned that patience, creativity and "sticking to it" can work a miracle. My RPL assessment by the ACS turned out to be the first hurdle, and you definitely showed your resourcefulness and criteria by helping me submit a magnificently well written account of my professional experience in IT, which was assessed in less than two months. The real hurdles would come in later, once we submitted my daughter's and my documentation to DIMIA. Say, for instance, how can you prove to DIMIA that a 21-year-old person is still living at home and depending financially, at least partly, on her mum and dad? Well, you produced the miracle!

However, in March 2002, it became obvious that we would need to produce an "extra" bureaucratic miracle to reach the points I needed to obtain the visa: I had to take the NAATI exam as proof of proficiency in my native language, Spanish. I had to fly from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo in July last year in order to sit for that exam. After having received the good result in September 2002, there were the medicals... and again, it was your common sense and expertise that gave me full encouragement to endure having to undergo those medicals a second time in order to explain some little detail to the migrations authorities. "Mountains out of molehills" you said then. Indeed, that was it, and on a clear autumn day, the good news arrived: I had been granted residence in Oz...!! I couldn't sleep that night!!

I moved to Sydney "a few hours ago", and I feel totally accomplished. My self-esteem runs really high now, and it has become a powerful drive to relocate here. Even though hiring professional services entails a contract in which one person pays and the other performs, I have always felt that in spite of the distance between Sydney and Buenos Aires, there was a proactive person who could very well put himself in my place: thanks a gazillion, Mark Webster!!!

"Success is a journey, not a destination"

Dolores Turro

Charles MacNiven, Scotland - Skilled Migration (IT Professional)

I applied in February and was granted the PR Visa in early August of the same year.

He has always been honest and realistic as well as helpful on all fronts.

Many thanks again.

Vadim Berman, Israel - Skilled Migration (IT Professional)

I had quite a tricky situation with my tertiary education and professional experience. Mark did excellent job on sorting things out. His supporting documentation did the trick – despite my expectations, the assessment was complete in almost no time, no further questions or documentation asked. Not to mention that the documents were handled quickly, all my questions answered promptly, and the pricing was very competitive.

Garry Bowden, UK - Skilled Migration (Electrician Special Class)

This will definitely be a big life changer for us and it's all down to Acacia's hard and professional work, now we look forward to getting over there and on with our lives.

Thanks again Mark,

Alf Rogers, UK - Retirement Visa

He led us through the process and all was going well until two days before Christmas when he rang me to say the Australian Immigration had changed the rules for our Retirement Visa. From January 1st the capital sum needed was increased by £110K. This was an impossible amount for us.

Whilst our application was not complete he suggested we get it in ASAP to ensure they assess it on the lower capital sum. We waited with fingers crossed and eventually they accepted our application on the lower amount.

A few months later we obtained the visa and we are just about to make our way to Heathrow and fly to Brisbane.

I am convinced I would not be on that flight if it wasn't for Marks quick reaction.

Our initial concern about using a migration agent was unfounded and I don't feel you could find a better one.

D.O, UK - Employer Nomination Visa (Hospital Pharmacist)

Dear Mark

We would like to thank you and your team very much for the speed and efficiency with which you dealt with our application.

We appreciated that our particular set of circumstances were not straightforward and required expertise to progress through the immigration rules and regulations. We did find the forms and gathering of paperwork daunting and we were pleased that everyone at Acacia Immigration were very helpful. It was appreciated how quickly you replied to our phone and e-mail enquiries.

We had made enquiries before coming over on a temporary visa but not one migration agent had any advice as to how we could become residents as we were over 45 years old and were too old for skilled immigration and too young for a retirement visa. The most “helpful” suggestion was that we opened a chemist shop!

I was amazed that the whole process was so quick and put that down to you getting everything right before it was sent to the Immigration Department.

I have already recommended you to several friends and colleagues and will be pleased to do so in the future, especially if they fall outside of the normal points-based immigration.

I have spoken to a number of people who have gone through migration agents and it would appear your fees are competitive. The staging of payments was helpful and it was a series of cheques that we didn’t mind paying at all!!

Yours sincerely

N.O. & D.O.

Tony Woodhall, UK - Employer Nomination Visa (Engineer)

On behalf of myself and my family a big thank you for the work you and your team at Acacia have done over the last 18 months in order for us to be granted Permanent Residence.

As you are aware our case was not a clear cut one, and your suggestion to firstly study here, and then apply for a business sponsored visa (after I had secured the offer of a permanent full time job) was an excellent idea.

Being over 45 years of age was another hurdle that you successfully overcame, by applying to DIMA to classify my work experience and job skills as “exceptional” and thus obtaining a waiver on the 45 years of age ruling.

Our application in totality was by no means straight forward, but your ability to adapt strategies to compliment the prevailing circumstances is worthy of commendation.

I have therefore no hesitation in recommending Acacia to anyone entering the minefield of immigration to Australia, as without Acacia I would not be here today.

T.Woodhall
August 2 2004.
Sydney.

Darren Sciberras, Malta - Skilled Migration (Telecommunications Trade)

I just want to say thanks on behalf of my family and myself for helping us to obtain Australian permanent residency.

I admit that I was uncertain about the outcome of my skill assessment having only done 3 out of 4 years of my apprenticeship. However you explained the documentation we needed to make the application work and with your guidance it made things much simpler.

Towards the end of the process, I was getting a frustrated due to prolonged administration processes from DIMIA's side, but you sounded very certain on the phone that we should receive the Visas "in a few weeks" and in fact you were once again correct.

Mark, as I already pointed out during our correspondence, I am very reluctant in trusting sites on the internet, but your promptness and accuracy in answering queries, you calm attitude towards problems and most of all dedication made me feel safe to let my fate and my family's entirely in your hands. I shall have no hesitation in recommending your services to anyone that is thinking of applying for an Australian visa.

Also, now we have to meet up so that I can thank you properly and personally over that beer that I promised!!

Thanks once again Mark for your valuable, irreplaceable and professional help.

Regards

Darren Sciberras

Facilities Technician

David Brennan, UK- State/Territory Nominated Independent (IT Professional)

The application process for this kind of visa appears straightforward, but in fact is very complex.

The real value that Acacia added was looking into all the available options and advising on the best way to proceed at each step in the procedure so as to maximize my chances of success.

My case was borderline, but thanks to Mark’s advice I understood all the available options and my visa has just been granted.

Abbie Thorne, Stuart Le Huray, UK- Skilled Independent (Vehicle Painter)

As you are probably aware on Monday 21st February I received our long awaited e-mail confirming that we had been granted our permanent residence visa, I would like to say a huge big thank you for all you have done to help us through this, You have been so helpful and have always been so prompt with any questions/queries we have had.

I will highly recommend you to anyone who is wanting to immigrate to Australia, because of your help I can start a new life in a place that I love and give me and my family the best opportunities in life, I cannot thank you enough.

All the best Mark,

Abigail, Stuart and Bradley.

Trotting through the shoddy service of many immigration agencies, I finally tumbled upon ACACIA immigration in Feb 2004. I had seen Mark Webster’s contributions on some immigration forums and thought to give them a try. What do you know, this was the best thing that ever happened. From Day 1, Mark and his team showed enthusiasm and professionalism towards my case. Mark even helped me with secure some crucial papers from my university in Australia (which proved critical while obtaining a positive response from ACS). I was already impressed with the service so far. Throughout the course of my PR processing, their organization really gave ample attention to my queries, to detail which was specific to my case, advising and guiding me through the process. I never felt the geographical distance was a barrier.

In April 2005, I received the much awaited email from Mark about my application being approved for Australian PR. I was overboard with joy :-) I just wanted to take this time to thank you and your staff at ACACIA immigration for a job well done. From the day I hired your organization, I always felt in safe hands and your organization's expertise in the area of Australian immigration was very helpful indeed. I am glad that I made the decision to appoint ACACIA Immigration to represent my case with the Australian Immigration. I have no hesitation to refer new people to your company who are planning to migrate to Australia or to be a referral if your company ever needs one. Once again, thank you so much for your efforts.

Sandeep Kohli, Singapore

Acacia has done a fantastic job for me. In my opinion if you're looking for a company to help you achieve your dream of living permanently in Australia you can't do better than employ their services. They have an in-depth knowledge of the Aussie immigration system which will save you alot of time and money (without good help both of these can easily, and very quickly, be frittered away). The thing that has impressed me the most has been their exceptional attention to individual customer service, which is very difficult to find these days. From answering E-mails promptly (usually by the next morning), sorting out problems that always seem to arise and even, on one occasion, in the middle of the night (Australian time), Mark rang me to tell me of an important change in legislation which required my immediate attention. If he hadn't done that at the time that he did I could well have missed out on my one chance. That has to be the ultimate in personal service!!

I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Mark, Katrina and the rest of the team for working so hard on my behalf and also for their patience and positive attitude which has made it a pleasure to work with them. Thanks to their help I'm looking forward to my new life in the land down under.

Regards,

Sam.

After meeting with Mark and discussing the situation we were in, he offered us a solution and explained how we would be able to achieve it. Working with both Mark and Alissa gave my partner and I the assurance that we were in safe hands.

My partner is an Australian citizen and we have a son, who is Australian. I am from England and we were applying under a defacto relationship. After a few hiccups with our original application we were on a tight deadline to allow me to stay in Australia. Knowing that our family unit would have to move back to the UK was not an option for us as we wanted to stay in Australia and raise our son here.

The guys at Acacia were great. The application they helped us prepare was concise and covered everything required. When it came to the interview with DIMIA, Mark attended and walked us through any questions we would be faced with.

The end result is that my visa was granted instantly and we couldn't have been happier.

Thank you to Mark and Alissa- we couldn't have done it without you!

Alison King & Peter Taylor

However, I must write without any reservation that it has all been made possible due to professionalism of ACACIA team with reference to Mark Webster and yourself in particular.

My special thanks go out to Mark who dug me out of the initial refusal of my application in January 2005. It was a moment of utter disappointment and frustration when I contacted Mark and asked for his help.

He steered me through the trouble. It was unbelievable to learn that Mark managed to reverse the decision when another case officer was appointed. He then handed over the matter to you for further perusal.

Please accept my profound gratitude for all your support Katrina. You had always been available on the other end, patiently and timely replying to all the queries and questions related to the long and tiring process.

I strongly recommend the services of ACACIA immigration to any one who is serious in getting the job done in a professional and efficient manner. I would be happy to see this acknowledgement on your website in your client testimonial section if there is a need to add another citation.

Iftikhar Ahmed

I am very much delighted to know that I have been granted a 137 STNI Visa. I am fully indebted to you both for your all efforts towards success of my application for immigration to Australia.

I do remember, in 2005, Mr Mark who gladly accepted my application and took all initiatives to change my skills from Life Scientist to Agricultural Scientist. After a long process I was successful with STNI visa from SA.

I express my sincere thanks and gratitude for your kind cooperation, time to time advice, and patience to respond my all queries. I pay special thanks to Ms. Alissa for her kind cooperation.

I wish Acacia Immigration Australia Pty Ltd's all success and would inspire and suggest my friends and fellows to go through Acacia for success of their immigration applications, if any of them wish to migrate.

I wish both of yours good health and success in life.

With best regards,

Mazumder Md. Arifur Rahman

When Mazumder contacted us, he had been in the pool for about 12 months. We realised that his occupation was in demand in South Australia, and that he could be granted an STNI visa out of the pool.

Acacia changed his nominated occupation, and obtained an STNI nomination from South Australia within a couple of months of Mazumder approaching us.

It was in July 2004 Simon made the first contact with Mark over the phone from the other side of the world. Little did we know that our dream of living in Australia would become real.

Through Marks expertise and guidance we got a skill assessment approval for simon as a glazier.

Katrina answered my endless questions and queries and with her patience and expert knowledge we recieved our 'sub class 495' temporary visa.

The day we recieved the letter of approval both myself and simon walked around with permanent grins on our faces all day !

We arrived in South Australia on the 1st of December 2005, Simon started work on the 3rd of Jan 2006, which means we will be able to apply for our permenant visa in jan 2008, un-believable.

Thank you both from our hearts.

I have recommended 'acacia' to several people already and well continue to do so.

Best regards

Yvonne & Simon Kent.

We have got our passports back with the PR visas stamped today, 05 March 2006!

Many thanks to you Katrina and Mark for a job well done.

Let me point out some notable actions Acacia Immigration did during the process.

• The preparation of my ACS Assessment was very well planned; I commend Mark for the very systematic way of handling this phase. He was able to eliminate unnecessary documents and submitted only what was needed just to satisfy ACS.
• Due to some emergency matters, I was a bit short of funds when my last payment to Acacia is due. I requested to have a payment extension and they did approve it. At this point, I felt the warmth of having Acacia not only as my agent but also as a close friend.
• The worst part of my application is when my previous employer denied my COE during the DIMIA check. At this point, I have noticed Katrina’s composure. She already suggested alternative course of action if ever my previous employer will deny again a second reference check. She was very supportive of me during these times.
• DIMIA, prior to the pre-grant, has said that my initial entry date will be 7 April 2006. I asked for an adjustment due to some schedule constraints and Katrina managed to convince my case officer to extend it for another month.

More power to you!

Bong, Wynette and Boss Bollas

It's been my pleasure writing this piece of letter to you as you made my application for permanent residency a success. I remember when I was searching for the migration agent and I encountered so many consultants but I think I made the best decision of narrowing down to you. You and your team, especially Katrina, did a wonderful work for me and I thank you for delivering such an efficient service. I must say you and your team are thorough professionals who know how to achieve success for their clients. I got the best advice at all the time whenever I needed it most.

Inspite of being in India I never got the feeling that communication is lacking between us, which I think is the most important aspect in off-shore cases. Mark, I thank you so much for making this happen.

I would highly recommend ACACIA Immigration Australia Pty. Ltd. to anyone who wants to have the best services in visa application.

Thanks again and best regards,

Ritesh

we wanted to express how extremely happy we are that we did the right choice in first, choosing a migration agent and second, choosing Acacia Immigration to do the job. Your advice was always excellent and we especially appreciated the very fast and detailed replies to any question we had in the last 12 month. Thanks for really "taking care" of all our needs; you will be always our recommendation.

Thanks for your patience to answer hundreds of stupid questions.

Hope to see you soon.
Best regards

Monika & Henri

I apologize for the delay in thanking you for your lovely card mailed to us. That was very nice of you. I wish I had been in Brazil last month so I could bring you a proper gift.

Also, I wish to say thank you for your professionalism and support during these past years, and particularly when times were bitter for my family and I. I refer to the end of 2003/2004. Those were certainly difficult times that your support and your expertise were crucial for a family new to the Australian immigration rules and procedures.

Please do remain in touch independently of work and wishing you all the best for your future enterprises,

Best Regards,
Ana Penteado

Throughout these processes, he was both very professional and very friendly and approachable. He demonstrated frequently his expertise, but did so in a way that was clear and understandable. He was consistently available to clear doubts and ready for an amiable chat.

Beacon IT has used a number of providers in this area, as we have many foreign professionals. Discussing with my colleagues the performance of these professionals, none have had such good interactions nor obtained better results. Even considering speed, our Visa process took months less time than others.

We came to Mark through a recommendation of friends (for whom Mark also did a good job in helping them with their Visa), and have recommended him to a number of other persons since.

Overall, I greatly recommend Acacia and hope to engage with him again in the future.

Paulo Penteado
Director Strategy and Administration
Beacon IT Group