Wish you were here?

Aug 16 2009 by Michael Kelly, Sunday Sun

A NORTH man was left shattered after a migration agency disappeared with £5000 he paid them to fulfil his dream of living abroad.

The victim had hoped to become one of the growing number of people leaving the region to start a new life.

But after handing over the cash he has not heard from the London-based operator since.

It was one of the horror stories Grant Taylor, who works for Network Migration Services, heard on a trip to Newcastle last week.

He said: “We were pretty shocked by it. He paid the money and they didn’t lodge his application. He hasn’t been able to track them down.

“With this business there are people who will take the money and run. Just be very careful before handing over any money.”

More people than ever are looking to get away from Britain because of high unemployment, low job prospects and the stress of everyday life here.

As a result migration agencies are springing up to cater for the increasing demand, many legitimate like Grant’s, but a few determined to cash in on people’s dreams.

Their job is to deal with the bureaucratic process involved. First of all to establish if people have a chance of moving to their country of choice - not a given as many are now tightening immigration controls as nowhere has been immune from the economic downturn.

Then, if the applicant gets over that hurdle then the agent sorts out the red tape which goes with such a move - visas, work permits, shipping costs - usually for about £2000, depending on how much help they want.

The last official figures for people migrating abroad from the North East was 10,000 in 2007. This was before the credit crunch and reports say their has been an upsurge in interest.

The most popular destinations include Australia and Canada, both of which have regulatory bodies concerning migration agencies. They are the Migration Institute for Australia (MIA) and the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC).

Grant, who travels the country holding seminars and is hoping to arrange one in Middlesbrough soon, said: “People should do their research beforehand.”