It really is up to you but generally we'd recommend it. Applying yourself is all good and well, but in our experience, the embassies can be very bureaucratic or not provide you with the most updated information. For example, information on embassy websites can very often be outdated, leaving you out of the loop. It also cuts out the need for you to travel directly to your embassy, which in some cases, can be quite a journey. Using an agency takes away this stress and although they come at a price, we think it's worth it. KEY TIP: If choosing an agency is the way you go, make sure you pick an experienced one who are highly regarded. This is important as they have far more chance of being up to date with information and details than a smaller/newer company.