Clients' Testimonials

There were some tremendous trials that we had gone through when we file our recent work visa. Our case officer sounded so pessimistic to us to the extend that we were outright denied. It took us so long to wait for the result, she gave us lots of things to be accomplished only to find out she has eventually denied our application after we had done it all. Like for instance the going to the specialist when in fact my doctor already said that I am well enough to be treated yet still our case officer insisted that we should see a specialist which took us 5 hour-drive to visit.

After accomplishing all the requirements my case officer then questioned about my job offer as to whether my employer has done his effort to see to it that there was not even one qualified of the position I'm in. Because of this we had decided to write to Rt Hon John Key to ask some help. He only forwarded our letter to the Associate Minister of Immigration Kate Wilkinson. She then has replied to us that she can't intervene. We felt so hopeless by then. We tried going to a Law Direct to see an Immigration Advisor yet when we talked to him he made it clear that he can help however he mad it sure that there was only a minimal chance for us to possibly get our visa sorted which didn't really sound so promising. On the same day we went to the office of John Carter and it was Dedrie (Personnel) who talked to us and took our details and photocopy some of our immigration stuff. She promised to help us too but likewise she said it would have been much better of we did approach her earlier or before our visa application was denied.

We went to WINZ to see a particular lady who can give us a proof of confirmation that there were no nine (9) applicants listed in their office applying for a job ( as this was one of the grounds that my case officer questioned) and this would help us with our employer proving that they had done their part trying to get somebody who are New Zealanders but they couldn't find any, not even one who would qualify.The qualified lady from WINZ had rang my case officer and had a talk to her while we were there in her office and she clearly said to my case officer that there were no nine (9) applicants from our place who have applied. After talking to my case officer she then promised to us that she would help us. To our dismay she went sour two days after she promised us that she would help.

It was so heart-breaking thinking that we had done just about everything in order for us to get a visa to stay in New Zealand yet it looked like its not gonna happen anymore. We were already unlawful to stay in this country. So we packed all our belongings. I was thinking of sending some of our things to the Philippines so I rang my friend for a Balikbayan box. This friend of ours (Lita Lee) gave us a brilliant idea, she suggested to us to see Ella Limboy, the Immigration consultant from Kenton Chambers Lawyers , thus Lita gave to us Ella's details.
Without second thought we rang and made an appointment with Ella. We were able to talked to Ken Oh and Ella. This time we felt so relieved with our colossal burden, we also felt that the the wind has slowly moved towards our direction. They unconditionally helped us all throughout our journey. As soon as we entrust to them our visa application, right then and there they made a massive change of our fate, not to mention they gave us vast discount plus ¼ of the amount was payable weekly which was a great big help to us. Ken Oh and Ella coordinated to talk to Pakn'Save and WINZ (for additional requirements), a well as Black Top Construction (the company that my husband has applied at that time).

Mr. & Mrs. Mallillin with Ken Oh and Ella Limboy during their actual free initial assessment.

We were so surprised because in just 5 days after we talked to Ken and Ella, my husband received a job offer from the above mentioned company and it was just in time that we needed it. Ella then decided to change the principal applicant to my husband's name because his work is a skilled one. The company has done everything on what was needed to get done when hiring an immigrant worker which was excellent.

What was so amazing in fact I call it 'Amazing Grace' because it only took us two weeks to wait after our immigration papers was submitted that they approved it and obviously gave us visa to continue to work in New Zealand. Absolutely wonderful! God works in mysterious ways.

Everyone in our family cried but this time its tears of joy. We are so grateful to God for being always there for us specially when we needed the most, to Ken and Ella who has burned their midnight candles just to help us to get through with this enormous trial in our lives. You have done an outstanding service to the immigrants like us. Thank you so much and more power to you guys.

--Cecilia and Leo Mallillin

My name is Varun Kondagari and I work at big electronics and computer store in Christchurch as a computer technician.

I want to share my experience regarding my visa issues. I had applied for my work visa well in advance for a 2 year work permit. I was confident that I will not have any issues with my visa because I had a job in the same field. I have studied for but unfortunately things were not all that smooth. First of all I had to wait for 4 weeks to get a reply from Immigration regarding my application and then I finally heard from Immigration.

I got an email saying that the job I currently working, its wages is not according to New Zealand standards as they expect my wages to be twice the pay rate is currently. I tried to explain to the case officer that cause I had no previous experience and hence the pay would not be very high but all in vain the case officer replied to me saying your explanation is not good enough and you need to find any other job or get a pay rise straight away.

I joined in the company only a couple of months before. I was also given 10 working days to get back to Immigration otherwise my application would be rejected. My visa was expiring the following week. This was the time when I decided to get some professional help and one of my mates who had been in a similar situation suggested me that I should go and see Mr. Raj Pardeep Singh who processed his visa application.

I tried to meet a few lawyers here in Christchurch who gave me a negative response they just told me straight away that it’s a very tough case. They cannot do much and said they would see what they can do. They told me that I don’t have a chance so I was very depressed cause if this did not work out I had to go back to India.

Then I thought I should give it one last try and I called Mr. Raj, he was very friendly and polite; he spoke to me briefly in the first call and told me straight away that he will represent my case. At first I was pleasantly surprised to hear this as every other Immigration lawyer I spoke to said I don’t stand a chance. He started the procedure immediately and in no time he sent a letter to the case officer requesting some more time because we required more paper work. By the time I was a bit frustrated and worried because I was not working anymore my visa had expired.

I had very few days to get back to the case officer and Mr. Raj was my only hope. I had very little confidence left in me. I was getting ready to pack my bags but Mr. Raj cheered me up each time I spoke to him and told me not to worry at all. He assured me to stay positive. According to his advice I have spoken to my employer and renegotiated my employment agreement. Mr. Raj prepared the reply and submitted to Immigration.

I got reply from Immigration NZ in a couple of days stated based on new terms and conditions of my contract my visa has been approved for 2 years. I was delighted all thanks to Mr. RAJ and Kenton Chambers Lawyers . I am now working in the same company and it’s been a couple of months now.
I will be getting a pay rise based on my Christmas and New Year ‘performance. I will always be grateful to Mr. Raj for all the support and help I got during my work visa application.

Again he assured me that he will process my Permanent Residency application and I am pretty sure it will be successful.

--Varun Kondagari