Canada Immigration Services
Canada Immigration Services: Who Can Represent You and What Can They Do?
Canada immigration services are provided by lawyers, consultants, and other representatives who offer advice and assistance to visa applicants. Some people even opt to have a consultant act on their behalf. The following people are allowed to represent you and charge a fee to provide you with Canada immigration services:
Lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
Quebec Immigration Consultants who are recognized by the Ministère d’Immigration et Communautés Culturales
Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des Notaries du Quebec
Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)
The government of Canada does not deal with unauthorized consultants who charge a fee for Canada immigration services, so your application will be returned to you if you have a unauthorized, paid consultant represent you. If somebody provides you with immigration-related advice or assistance before your application is actually filed, he/she does not have to be an authorized consultant.
You also have the option of letting an unpaid consultant represent you. Unpaid consultants may include friends, relatives, or members of a non-governmental organization or religious organization. Just beware that unauthorized consultants are not regulated, so they may not possess the training and knowledge necessary to help you achieve the desired results. Furthermore, you won’t be able to seek help from designated bodies, such as law societies, the ICCRC or the MICC, if an unauthorized consultant provides you with erroneous advice.
Types of Canada Immigration Services
Contrary to popular belief, an immigration lawyer does not just fill out forms, pay the required fee, and submit the forms to the appropriate places. A skilled lawyer providing Canada immigration services will give you expert advice and up-to-date information before, during, and after the application process. Some specific services a Canada immigration lawyer may provide include:
Pre-evaluation/assessment. One of the most important Canada immigration services involves having a lawyer or consultant assess your chances of success before you submit your application. The consultant will look at your past work experience, skills, and other factors to determine your application’s likelihood of success.
Enhancement of marginal cases. You can increase the chances of your application being approved by presenting it in the best way possible. Lawyers who provide Canada immigration services can help your file by identifying what type of information/documentation ought to be supplied to immigration officials.
Help selecting right visa category. There are several different visa categories to choose from. A lawyer can help you choose the visa category that’s best suited to your situation and profile, thus increasing the chances that you’ll get a visa.
Interview preparation. If immigration requires you to attend an interview, a lawyer who provides Canada immigration services can help you prepare for the interview by giving you a list of potential questions that may be asked, providing you with information about Canada, and meeting you for a private consultation.
The above examples demonstrate the different Canada immigration services that a lawyer may offer. Canada immigration lawyers aim to facilitate the visa application process and ensure that your file is processed as quickly and efficiently as possible. For optimal results, look for a representative who will not charge you a fee unless your visa application is approved.
