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.