This is true although in some cases employers put pressure on the authorities for a certain type of permit, to ensure that the employee doesn't get booted out at short notice...

I'm going to go out a limb here:

Many agents lie for a living, they withhold information, mislead, stall and generally mess you around.

The are interested in their commission, not you, and not even the client.

In theory, developing good relationships with both leads to developing business, but in my experience that ain't the case.

Start from the assumption that agents should not be trusted, but allow them to earn your respect. If they shake your hand, count your fingers afterwards.

Luckily, I haved a found a few now that I can trust, but I still get calls from 22year old clueless people reading acronyms at me that they don't understand.

I'm launching this spiel simply to emphasise gbn's point that the agents role in the permit process is minimal, unless you are working through their umbrella company.

dave