Migration and Relocation Services Agreement

What a good one includes

• A detailed breakdown of exactly which visa pathways, housing search assistance, or settling-in services are included in the package.
• Explicit terms requiring the client to provide accurate documents and meet strict deadlines to prevent processing delays.
• A clear payment schedule mapping out retainer fees, milestone-based installments, and how third-party government fees are handled.
• A crucial disclaimer stating that the agency cannot guarantee government approval, processing timelines, or visa issuance.
• Clear rules governing how either party can end the contract and what portion of the fees remains non-refundable for work already completed.
• Robust provisions to protect the highly sensitive personal, financial, and biographical data of international clients in compliance with global privacy laws.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to clearly distinguish your service fees from government filing and application fees, which often leads to clients expecting you to absorb external costs.
• Guarantees of successful outcomes or specific processing times, which exposes your business to severe liability if government agencies delay or reject an application.
• Allowing scope creep by not defining clear limits on revisions, consultation hours, or additional family member applications.
• Neglecting to specify jurisdiction and governing law, which makes resolving disputes incredibly difficult and expensive when dealing with international clients.

Frequently asked questions