I think that the professional fee should be balanced against the amount of service and support that you are actually getting from the agent. There are agents who only charge around å£1000, but then they probably don't deliver a complete service. Some agents do everything - certifying all documents, completing all forms, buttisting with references and statutory declarations, etc, etc. They will also be available to take your calls and answer your emails without charging extra. Some agents have a base fee and then impose charges for such services. Other agents simply send you all the forms to complete yourself, together with a list of the required certified documents and then lodge it on your behalf. It is certainly possible to apply for a visa without the use of an agent, especially if you have a very straight forward case and you're the type of person who is prepared to read everything, can follow the process of application and who doesn't mind filling in lots of forms. It's the same with many professions - we can all manage a bit of DIY, but in some instances we may need the services of an expert. Shop around, get some quotes and speak to some Registered Agents. Make sure that the person who is handling your case is a MARA Registered Agent. There are some agencies who have a Registered Agent on their books and advertise themselves as being 'registered' - there is no such thing as a Registered Agency. You can check on the MARA website to see if the 'agent' is a Registered Agent.
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