Not everyone needs to use an immigration lawyer to come to Canada. If you are fluent in English or French (or know someone who is), and if your case is relatively simple, perhaps you can save your money. Otherwise, here are tips to help you make a good choice.
Canada immigration consultant is a regulated profession. The responsible body is called ICCRC (The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council). To be licensed, the professional goes through a very difficult test. Preparatory courses are not very simple and last at least one year. To become an immigration consultant, you must be a permanent resident or citizen. It is also necessary to have a college degree, and some schools still require prior immigration experience to be accepted into the course.
For those considering hiring a consultant, here are some tips:
Registered Consultants
If you are hiring someone who does not have the proper regulations, and therefore, you do not report to any agency, and therefore, you are not inspected. In Canada, only licensed professionals can charge for this service. In other countries, there is no control. The Canadian government itself makes it very clear that it cannot regulate the profession outside Canada.
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Dealing with unprofessional
If you choose to hire the help of an unlicensed professional, please be aware that that professional will not be applying for your visa and, therefore, will not be able to represent you with Immigration if necessary. The order will be in your name, and you will have to face any cucumber that happens.
Accredited immigration
Accredited immigration consultants are not allowed to guarantee results or to disclose “success rates.” Every serious immigration consultant knows that there is a part of the process that is very subjective and that even candidates who seem super appropriate may have their application rejected for unanticipated reasons. So much so that it is possible to appeal Canadian government decisions in court when the decision appears arbitrary. Be wary of consultants who guarantee results.
Consultants good at marketing
Be wary of very good marketers. Being good at marketing is an excellent attribute, but it is not synonymous with good service. I work with digital marketing, and maybe I shouldn’t say that, but, anyway, it’s just a reality. Some immigration consultants post so much on Facebook, YouTube, etc. … that you have to ask yourself, but who is doing the consultancy work?
Research well before hiring
Another important warning: licensed professionals are not necessarily ethical. In my research, I found some chilling stories from licensed consultants as well. It is necessary to research well before hiring a professional, even among graduates.
Ask for references
Finally, basic rules that are valid for any services are valid for this one too: ask for references, research, and finally, choose someone who will answer all your questions and with availability. Make sure to follow the progress of your process. The ultimate responsibility for approving your order is always you!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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