UK Visa and Immigration, is it a scam?

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:33 pm

Quote:

I did suggest site rep put a post here to defend the company but he declined. Here are the PM's received.

Quote:

UK Visa and Immigration services
Sent: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:42 am
From: Spurs123
To: began steele
Hi there,
In response to your review posted on scamwarners.com on Thursday, February 9th 2012, I am contacting you on behalf of UK Visa and Immigration. I just wanted to reassure you that the company is indeed a genuine company with OISC Accreditation. OISC are the authority that regulates our business and you can find our details on their website http://www.oisc.homeoffice.gov.uk
UK Visa and Immigration is also registered with Companies House and details of our business can be found on their website at http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/ - Should you require any more details about who we are then please visit our own website at http://www.ukvisaandimmigration.co.uk/
I hope this information puts your mind at ease that we are indeed a genuine UK Visa and Immigration service provider that specialises in providing Immigration advice and obtaining UK Visas for a number of clients across the world.
If I could kindly request that you remove your post from scamwarners.com I would be most grateful.
Many thanks.

Quote:

Re: UK Visa and Immigration services

Sent: Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:21 pm
From: Spurs123
To: began steele
The advertising on Tagged is indeed genuine and was posted by a former employee of ours. We will certainly take your comments on board. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Quote:

I find the last a bit odd because it was only done 10 days ago. "Former employees" have a habit of no longer being responsible for their actions .

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 7

does anyone know anything about kings court chambers or not? because UK visa and immigration direct me to them. is it the same as you guys?

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 15 Feb 2012 Posts: 1

My partner and i have just completed a visa application with these people and in the beginning uk visa and immigration were well enthusiastic they charged us 1200 to be passed to kings court chambers barristers who they ensured would give us great service, this is what didnt happen. I had to chase them to complete the work in time and when they sent it to us it was awful not something i would expect from a firm of barristers. Dont go anywhere near them .

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 16 Feb 2012 Posts: 1

I have always used these guys for visit visas for my family who reside in China. Never had an issue, is there something I'm missing? I am due to put an application in on Monday. Last time I used them was in November.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 7

Oh my god, really?? I now asking for a refund but they wouldn't refund my money to me Cos they said I have no right to get the money off After signing the client care letter. They are scammers. It is quite dispointed for a barristers firm. Did you guys contact them via portal as well?

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

B8er wrote:

Yes, they are listed on the OISC site as an adviser who is regulated by them.

I think you would have difficulty at the present time getting a chargeback from your credit card as they will argue that you have paid for a service that they are providing.

If things did go wrong and you made a complaint to the OISC, then you might have a case for a chargeback, but I must admit that it's not an area that I'm an expert in - if this did become the case then I would recommend having a chat with the Citizen's Advice Bureau.

Sorry to hear about the trouble you have had. Re chargeback. Oh this is one of my favourites! Believe me when I tell you I went to hell and back after being scammed and the bank siding with the SCAMMERS! Long story but I got my money back. Go back to your bank and tell them you are disputing the charge as you have not had the service you have paid for. They will argue etc, tell them that if they dont react you have the right to insist they send you EVERY BIT of data including tel conversations, via the data protection act. (the template letter is on the DPA site) Banks dont like this at all.
Round 1!
you need to photo copy all the correspondance you have had from the offending company, once the bank has a dispute case open they will ask you to send this to them, I insisted on emailing a scanned copy and always make sure you have the read by the other person message on, so they can't say they never read it. Once the disptute has been opened the credit card company have a certain time to respond. (21 days I think) keep hounding the bank.
If they refuse this (as they did with mine) take it further, complain to the ombudsman and go back to the bank then armed with your information asking for the data they have on you. If the company is in liquidation the credit card company can still refund you.
Send a complaint also to Birmingham trading standards to investigate also.
If you can prove that you have paid for a service which you were not provided with or can prove they had not qualification or intention to give you this service you definately have a fraud case, in which case if the credit card company refuse to pay then its a job for the Birmingham police. The police tend to fob you off with its a civil matter go back to the card company, but if you can get it in writing from the bank that no further action from them will be taken, you have amunition to make this a police matter.
Good luck

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 28 Feb 2012 Posts: 1

Hi everyone, I've used UK Visa and Immigration before 2 get my Tier 4 Student Visa and I am about to use them again to get an extension to this visa - I must admit I didn't have a problem with them when I used them 1st time. However, I'm a little concerned that a few people have. I don't think they are a scam organisation as I had to visit their London offices and everything seemed genuine. I do have a link here of a company that uses a similar name that cud b causin' some confusion http://www.visaandimmigrationuk.com/. I don't want to feel like I overpaid for a service I didn't need but this is the company I actually used who were gr8. http://www.ukvisaandimmigration.co.uk/
Any advice would be welcome though.

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:34 am

The company uk visa and immigration is genuine, they are registered at company house etc.

http://www.visaandimmigrationuk.com is dead so is supect that was a scam site.

However this type of company is taking money for something that you can do yourself without to much hassle. Especially visa extensions. If you are at a UK university then the students union international students team will be able to help with Visas.

My advice is to not use these firms unless you have particularly complicated circumstances.

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:44 pm

I'm always suspicious when someone signs up to a forum just to make a post praising something that everyone else has been critical of. Inevitably, the new poster turns out to be connected to the business in question.

However, I don't think they can be classified as a scam of the type that Eater deals with. As Kronuk says (and I said previously), they look like a firm who is charging a lot of money to do something that most people could do themselves. They do however seem to be generating a number of disatisfied customers while they are doing it (both here and on SW).

I would say that they should spend a bit more time on customer service and less on self promotion by drive-by forum postings.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 7

I personally did ask to visit their office in London but they didn't reply to that and said the barrister will call me if they need to see me.
I contacted my previous Solicitor and she said she not allow to help me wig form filling and said i should do it myself to save money and call her back if i have any problems. But uk visa and immigration took my case very early even though I can not send my application of till June.
I spoke to few other ppl and they all agreed that they are unprofessional. I wrote complaints via emails by never get any reply.
I wouldn't want anything to do with them anymore

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

http://kingscourtchambers.com/contact.php
Is this the place? in Birmingham?
Seems like legit company as does UK VIsa and Immigration whose head office is in Birmingham. They are just a shameful, overcharging, inexperienced organisation.
Unless complaints are made to OISC and Trading Standards this company will continue to thrive on money by deception ie taking money for a service offered and ultimately no service provided.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 7

Does anyone know if I can use the chargeback scheme to get my money back or not?

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Apr 2012 Posts: 1

These definitely look like a bunch of charlatans and should be exposed to the police. Reading some of the posts it is quite apparent that these poeple take advantage of vulnerable people. My wife exerenced similar appalling service from this bunch of so called barristers. If perhaps the services of the UK boarder agency were more accessible and and actually replied to emails then likes of King Chambers would be removed from the face of this earth.

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:31 pm

You can of course report these people to the Law Society,Trading Standards, and OISC. Trading Standards are a good bet because they could submit reports to all organisations concerned if they wish to, or force the firm to clean the act up and alter the advertising if it misleads people. In some ways the post has moved from being about a potential scam to being a complant about an unprofessional firm. I would go back to the original material used to advertise and the means. A badly spelt advert in Tagged, and another on a site alongside ones for escort services and thinly disguised prostitution. In short- that is an indicator of unprofessionalism almost to the extent of being bizarre.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 1

I'm seeking to warn other people about the fraudsters!

"UK Visa and Immigration" - http://www.ukvisaandimmigration.co.uk/
I filed in early autumn 2010 over visa for my girlfriend. Staff members was helpful and kind, they called me back after firs call, I paid £ 800 for this visa preparation.

Then I was sent different document listings. From a conversation with staff member I have spoken things regarding visa I had feeling that man doesn’t knows what he doing. The whole process dragged on for several weeks. I was transferred between different employees. Finally, I had enough and I seaked lawyer advice. He said to me to send complaint to Mr XXXXX, as it was defined in company’s legislation. Letter wrote my lawyer and was sent to post. I was again ignored, the response was sent to me with long delay and not from person to who I write it. (They are not even following their own company lows. Request to return my money was completely ignored!

I sent complaints to OISD. "UK Visa and Immigration” company ignored them too. It was noted that the company probably violates several of its operating rules. Maybe their employees do not need license.
This company stressed out my girlfriend, prevented us do planned dream about getting married, at a loss to our budget! Please be aware with them! Get the money back if you already in the same situation, do not leave it like that!

Under NO circumstances don’t deal with them they are fraudsters
If you have a similar situation write to OISC complaints, as I have and other people did!

Perhaps their license will be suspended!

I propose to join forces and sue them to justice! Recover from their loses and moral compensation!

T-34

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:24 pm

Quote:

I'm seeking to warn other people about the fraudsters!

I am sorry you have had a bad experience with this firm T 34. I realise it is a little out of the usual scope of this website and I didn't know at the time, however I think it is a good idea to have a post like this now, because it sums up the feelings of customers..

Quote:

The advertising on Tagged is indeed genuine and was posted by a former employee of ours. We will certainly take your comments on board. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

I look at this again and see this is a lie. This company is ripping people off left right and centre as we see from the complaints and responses. While the legal definitions of fraud and bad service are probably clouded in this case, I would suggest people take the hint and avoid. Complainants should contact the licensing authorities and Trading Standards and with some luck this shower can be shut down.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 28 Jul 2012 Posts: 1

i was a client of this company and paid them in advance for work they will now not complete. they have had their licence revoked thru bad practice. they now trade as UK IMMIGRATION BARRISTERS, however im sure not all staff of this company would be aware of the link. i have made a formal complaint to the OISC and the police, both are now investigating my case. i intend to do all i can to bring this fraudulent company to account.

for information/help see and like this link.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/UK-Visa-And-Immigration-Scam/395790900477867

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

BEWARE UK Visa and Immigration now using the name UK IMMIGRATION BARRISTERS website is ukimmigrationbarristers.com

another company also linked is UK VISA PLUS IMMIGRATION
http://www.ukvisaplusimmigration.co.uk/

check out this blog by a former employee: http://betterthanimbd.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/uk-immigration-barristers-scam/

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 11 Sep 2012 Posts: 1

This industry and all the companies are the same. I'm not one to complain as my partner got her visa before the July rule change from these guys without any issue. But I was skeptical at first too. I assume a lot of people who have had their visas refused are obviously disgruntled at that fact and post out of spite. Choose selectively.

http://www.law-forums.org/migration-expert-australia-in-real-or-scam-t1705.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richmond-Canter-Immigration-Scam/139981579476541

http://www.scamfound.com/f4/global-visas-very-dodgy-company-87804.html

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/capital-visas-ltd-uk-uk-tier-1-c355900.html

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

Not posting out of spite - posting cos we had a BAD experience BAD service BAD advice and basically SCAMMED out of paying BIG MONEY
Home Office is FREE information and FREE advice

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

I just tried to access this group and they have now been blocked. Beware, these are scammers without morals who will fleece you of savings and promise you the world. Take my advice, prepare ur own application using the advice from UKBA, if you feel more comfortable, get your application checked by an INDEPENDENT solicitor.
UKBA information and advice is free, you only pay the visa application fee, no hefty consultancy fee.
There is no guarantee that you will get a visa by paying an extortionate amount to an advisory firm, there is no guarantee you will get a visa by going direct to UKBA, you have to cover and be able to prove all the requirements necessary for a visa.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

http://betterthanimbd.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/uk-immigration-barristers-scam/

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

Check out Facebook and add your comments.
https://www.facebook.com/UKVisaAdvice

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 09 Nov 2012 Posts: 1

I just want to add my voice to a public complaint about this organisation. Kings Court Chambers in Birmingham (http://kingscourtchambers.com/index.php) have been handling our fiance visa application. We have been strung along for weeks with very little progress. They ask us to 'bear with them' as the days turn into weeks with nothing happening. After 8 weeks or more now we have given up and are filling out our visa application ourselves this weekend. I urge you to do the same and avoid the misery and stress that for us has accompanied our dealings with this company. We have our wedding and honeymoon booked to the tune of thousands of pounds that it is now looking like we won't make because of the huge delay introduced by Kings Court Chambers.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Posts: 9

This was posted on a blog http://betterthanimbd.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/uk-immigration-barristers-scam/

Persistence paid off for this guy

carrspaints says:
November 5, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Just a quick update on my side. Two weeks ago, I called Kings Court Chambers direct and threatened to sue them if they didn’t refund me. After much, much hoo-ha (they would not relent on them being an honest, legitimate organisation, even asking I come and visit their offices and speak to their Barristers etc.), they eventually said they would refund my money, less £350.00. (They reckoned I had agreed to forfeiting this if I cancelled) I told them to go ahead with the refund and that I would sue them for the balance. Long story short, I had a call from their “head of client services” a few hours later to say that the respective Barrister had used his “discretion” in this case and had agreed to refunding me the full amount. 6-hours after that, I had a phone call from their accounts department (0121-3149386) saying they would send me an email asking for my bank details. This they did and I provided my bank details.

No money was received within 2-days, so I called back. They told me it takes 10-14 days?? Anyway, 14-days later (this morning), I called them back to say nothing in bank. They assured me that it had left theirs today and would be in my bank today. Just checked now (18:15) and the full amount has finally been refunded. (FPI – Fast Payment Incomiing, so not sure why it had to take 14-days??)

I am obviously chuffed I got my money back but it took a lot of effort. So many phone calls, so much time and so much BS coming from both UKIB & KCC . It doesn’t matter what KCC say qabout their integrity and busniess ethics. Fact is they use agencies like the defunct UK Visas & Immigration, UKIB and others of questionable standing. I am convinced they are indeed one in the same.

UK Visa and Immigration, is it a scam?	View next topic View previous topic