How to choose the right Immigration Consultant

How to choose the right Immigration Consultant. When it comes to life changing decisions, as moving abroad and applying for a Permanent Residency you need to make sure that you have the right allies by your side. Besides family, friends and the trust in your own judgement, you might also need professionals who will be able to guide you in achieving your dreams.

As we like to say, each road begins with one single step.

Nowadays, the online field can be the key for 99% of the global population when it comes to find information of interest.

If you google for instance ”immigration agencies”  there will be around 120 million results worldwide, if you will search for “immigration agencies in Dubai” google will give you eight hundred thousand results.

I am sure that you don’t have the time or the patience to run into all of those results just to find the best and most suitable alternative for you in terms of “who is going to help me immigrate?”

Time and patience are not actually an issue, but the given trust to the representative you have chosen to help you facilitate the process of application for your VISA might cause a headache.

To apply all by yourself, is totally fine and if you match the criteria you have all the rights to do it. However I truly believe that one’s expertise in the immigration field can advise you to put together all the data and the discussion with a connoisseur can lead you toward the right path. One simple template that you did not follow, an experience letter that does not follow the requirement or a document submitted after a deadline can lead straight to a rejection. A registered agent, however, is someone that knows exactly how to make a flawless application and give you the best chance of submitting you documentation the right way.

But be careful. We are going to tell you why and how you can avoid any type of scam.

You may have seen advertisements that promise work permits with guarantee high-paying jobs in Canada or 100% visa guarantee for Permanent Residency, for instance. Some offer scholarships to study at Canadian universities or colleges. Potential newcomers to Canada should be aware that many offers like these are fraudulent. In fact, using the services of people who make such promises may result in your application being rejected.

You need to know that the immigration systems are based on fairness. Every application receives equal consideration. No one has special connections, and no one can promise your application will be given special treatment or guarantee that it will be approved.

What you need to know?

• You can choose to hire a representative, including a consultant, lawyer, notary or paralegal regulated by a law society, to apply for a visa, but if you do, choose one that is registered.
• The approval of your Visa is subject to the governmental decision.
• Representatives do not have special connections with the government officials and cannot guarantee you a visa. Nobody can guarantee you a visa.
• Only Citizenship and Immigration officers can decide whether or not to issue a visa. For Canada there is ICCRC and for Australia is MARA. On their websites you can see if the immigration consultant and the agencies are registered or not.
• Don’t be tempted into using false documents. It is a serious crime to make false statements or submitting false documents when dealing with CIC or MARA. If you do this, your application will be refused. You will also face serious consequences.

• Do not enter into a marriage that is not genuine in order to obtain permanent residence. Beware of Internet scams and false websites.
• The official CIC website is cic.gc.ca for Canada and https://www.mara.gov.au/ for Australia.

When choosing an Immigration Consultant:

• Talk to several representatives before you decide which one to hire; check references and online comments from clients and partners.
• Make sure you understand exactly what are the services provided, and how much is the fee. Get this information in writing and make sure your contract includes all you have discussed over the phone.
• Make sure they are authorized by the Government of your targeted country.

You also need to know that the only people authorized by the Government to charge a fee to represent or advise you on immigration, refugee and citizenship matters are:

• lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing or a territorial law society;
• notaries who are members in good standing
• Citizenship or Immigration Consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of the country’s Regulatory Council. (ICCRC for Canada and MARA for Australia)

The Government of Canada nor of Australia will not deal with unauthorized representatives who charge a fee for their services.This being said I advise that once you have chosen a representative; make sure that you are receiving constant updates with regards to your application.

Understanding the contract you are sealing between you and your immigration consultant is highly important as you need to be aware of all the terms and conditions. If someone will promise 100% chances, all funds divided in surreal number of installments or very low price, double check your contract: it might not reflect the same in writing.

You might think I am redundant but you have to keep in mind the below:

It is your entire responsibility for all the information in your application whether you complete it or it is completed by your representative. It is against the law to give false or misleading information to Citizenship and Immigration.

Hopefully, before making a decision you will keep in mind the following:

• Make sure you work with a registered, authorized agent.
• Double check the conditions of your contract.
• No agent can promise/guarantee or mention a success rate in %. The decision belongs to governmental authority.
• Make sure your agent provided you all the information related to your application.

Once you checked all these aspects, feel free to sign a contract and start your immigration process on safe hands.

*The Immigration Office is registered with ICCRC and MARA and following up on all requirements of the governmental authorities. Feel free to fill in the Assessment Form if you have any questions related to your immigration plan.