How to become Certified Immigration Consultants?

Career Field on the Rise: Immigration Consulting

One of the most up and coming, glamorous career fields out there is immigration consulting. Recognizing the staggering number of skilled professionals in different fields worldwide, corporations needed to streamline the effort of bringing in this workforce. Since migration was soaring, the need arose for immigration consultants.Primarily involved in this process, the United States and Canada have strict guidelines for immigration. The immigration consultant is well versed in various aspects of the process, generally considered to be an expert in visa processing and immigration. They assist in gathering information and conducting research to complete the lengthy immigration process, and have the ability in their skill set to shorten the overall procedure of obtaining legal resident status.

How to Become an Immigration Consultant?

In Canada, the first step to become an immigration consultant is to complete schooling from an institution that offers the program. Next, an application for membership with the Canadian Society of immigration consultants (CSIC) is mandatory to be recognized by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Included in the application should be a copy of your school transcript and graduation certificate. Working as an immigration consultant in Canada requires citizenship or permanent residency. The next step in joining with the CSIC is to take a language test, membership examination, and online course. The last step is to join a law society in the appropriate province and remain in good standing. If a law degree from an accredited institution has been achieved, CSIC membership is not necessary. However, you still must be licensed by the CIC and a member in good standing with the appropriate provincial law society. Public notaries need to fulfill the aforementioned steps but only need to be in good standing with the Chambre des notaires du Quebec.

In the U.S., a bachelor's degree in communications, foreign language, or business will bridge the path to law school. Upon completion of law school, one must reside in a state that allows immigration consulting. It is necessary to then study state regulations as well as U.S. guidelines. For example, California requires an immigration consultant to fill out and submit a disclosure form regarding any criminal violations, secure and post a $50,000 bond, and pass a thorough background check. In the U.S., the only way non-attorneys can conduct immigration consulting and charge a fee is if employed by a not-for-profit organization recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals. The BIA also must accredit the individual conducting such practices. The reasons non-attorneys are not allowed to partake in immigration consulting are many when dealing with multiple U.S. states, but simply put, it is largely considered to be unethical and 'unauthorized practice of law,' thus making it illegal. It is advised to contact the Secretary of State of the respective state to ensure all legal guidelines are followed.

Why to choose Immigration Consultant as occupation?

Perusing a career as an immigration consultant

Why would anyone choose to become an immigration consultant? Well, the answer is whether simple. The work is awarding in many different ways. An immigration consultant provides help to anyone who wishes to immigrate, to get a resident visa or to become a citizen. If you peruse this career, you will be able to choose different levels. Everything depends upon the country, and the immigration process as well. The work may vary, along with the responsibilities and abilities of the consultant.

It is not mandatory to have a legal background, in order to become an immigration consultant, but it may help, because the work includes some legal matters, such as the laws you need to obey. The knowledge of legal matters is very important, because you will have to answer questions about visa and citizenship process. Legal knowledge is desirable, but not mandatory. You will learn everything in a timely manner.

The work is not boring; it is very diverse despite what you may have heard. If you like dealing with documents, but most importantly people, you will love this job. The course will give you a certification and basic knowledge, and more. You will learn how to represent and advise potential immigrants. You will acquire knowledge in the legal sector, and learn how to apply that knowledge in practice.

To pursue a career in the immigration sector, you will need to adapt some skills, like:

•    You must have great communication skills

•    You must poses great people skills

•    You must be a good listener

•    You have an eye for details

•    You must be analytically oriented

Such a carrier can take you places. You will not be limited to just one country. You will be able to work in other countries as well; of course, if you finish the course. Carrier vise, you will not miss any job opportunities. The diploma enables you to pursue a career within law firms, government agencies and immigration consultant firms. So you see, there are a lot of reasons why to choose this particular career, and not to mention money opportunities. Immigration consultants make a decent living and their opportunities for making more money rise from day to day.

When thinking about your future career path, you should do your research well, and think about pros and cons. Every job has some specific requirements, and this one is no exception, but rewards are far greater. If you decide to follow this career, you will help many people to find their way and to become citizens.  In order to do so, you will need a certified diploma. A certified diploma will help you move forward and take control over your life.

Scope of Immigration Consultants certification.

Immigration Consultants Certification- Must for Enhancing Career Prospects

A certified immigration consultant makes the task of an individual wishing to immigrate to a country other than his home country, much easier and successful. An immigration consultant is well versed in the immigration laws of the relevant country and has the necessary knowledge of the procedures and practices besides good language skills to ensure that his client’s immigration application gets through.

Scope of Immigration Consultant Diploma Program

The Immigration Consultant Diploma program in Canada gives knowledge on the theoretical as well as practical aspects of the profession. It prepares the students to deal efficiently in the following work areas:

·         Preparing applications and providing legal advice to clients

·         Negotiating on the client’s behalf

·         Representing clients who wish to apply for citizenship for entry to Canada

·         Representing clients before Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

The student is better prepared in his career as an Immigration Consultant if he obtains certification as he gets a respected standard of education in immigration practice. 

Importance of Certification from consultant’s point of view?

A certified Immigration consultant is an assurance of quality. There are many unauthorized agents working in the field of immigration and their work may or may not be ethical. However, once an immigration agent has the stamp of certification, his credibility rises and so does his career prospects. He gets better pay as he finds employment at immigration consulting firms, law firms and government agencies. The skills acquired through learning and the continuous update of knowledge enables him to keep abreast of current trends and also start his own practice.

Importance of Certification from the clients’ point of view?

All candidates have to clear stringent entrance exams before they qualify for the certificate program. Hence, candidates who are knowledgeable and have excellent language skills are admitted to the relevant program. The accredited program is highly comprehensive and the clients are benefited from such educated and informed consultants.

There are various programs that ensure permanent residency to the client and each has got its own peculiarities. A certified consultant is the right professional who decides the best program for his client considering all his requirements. The client is assured of peace of mind knowing that his case is in the hands of a professional who understands all the complexities of the immigration system.

All the certified consultants, being members of Immigration Consultant of Canada Regulatory Councilhave to abide by their strict professional and ethical guidelines. Violating any of them can lead to revoking of their licenses. The clients are thus assured of not being cheated in the course of their dealings with the consultant.

Moreover, lines of communication between concerned authorities open more easily when the client’s case is handled by a certified immigration consultant. 

It can be seen that obtaining certification for an Immigration Consultant will definitely pull more clients towards him and enhance his business and service prospects.