Local migration agency with a small office

Local migrant communities, international students, families, and small businesses sponsoring workers.

Fixed fees per visa application or stage, plus consultation fees. A steady flow of cases and repeat clients supports rent and staff.

• Careful, detailed paperwork
• Clear explaining, sometimes in more than one language
• Building trust in a community
• Managing a small team and budget

• Giving immigration assistance generally requires registration with OMARA, and anyone you employ who gives advice may need it too, check the rules
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Lease commitments before you have steady clients
• Keep clear client files and fee agreements, and check client money rules
• Unregistered operators and misleading promises can damage trust, never guarantee outcomes

Startup costs are typically around $12,000 to $40,000, depending on the office or shopfront, fit-out, insurance and any staff. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your client base and caseload.

Giving immigration assistance generally requires registration with OMARA, and anyone you employ who gives advice may need it too, so check the rules. Also check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, client money rules, and lease commitments before you have steady clients.

Estimates suggest at least around 30 hours a week, depending on opening hours and whether you add an assistant or another agent. Keep clear client files and fee agreements, and never guarantee outcomes, since misleading promises can damage trust.