The majority of people who want to immigrate to Canada start by contacting an immigration lawyer or agent. Before you begin your immigration journey, you should ask yourself two simple questions:
- Do you need an immigration lawyer or consultant to help you process your application to immigrate to Canada?
- Is that person on the list of immigration consultants who have been approved?
Do you require the assistance of an immigration agent in order to immigrate to Canada?
The answers are Yes and No.
Yes, an immigration expert can help you compile all of your documents and walk you through the process step by step. As a result of your thorough research, your contribution will be informative and comprehensive.
Will the immigration consultant or lawyer help you expedite the completion of your application and ensure that your application to immigrate to Canada is approved? Without a doubt, the answer is no.
Your application to immigrate to Canada will be processed solely by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. All applications are objectively examined using the standards established by the immigration program.
Unfortunately, certain immigration authorities in different parts of the world may mislead you into thinking they can help you accelerate your application. Or perhaps it is what the majority of newcomers want to hear.
How can you tell if an immigration counselor or lawyer is legitimate?
You can check to see if someone is eligible to represent immigrants, provide them advice, or file applications on their behalf. Here’s how to figure it out:
- Citizenship or immigration advisors must be members of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.
- Lawyers or notaries must be members of a Canadian provincial or territorial law association or the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
Tips on how to avoid being defrauded by unlicensed immigration agents
- Avoid anything that appears to be too good to be true. Keep in mind that hiring a representative will not bring your application to Canada Immigration’s attention or ensure that it will be granted.
- Be aware of salespeople who try to encourage you to make a false statement on your application. So’s against the law, and if you do it, you risk being denied entry or deported once you get in Canada.
- Do not provide original documents or images to your representative.
- It is not a good idea to sign blank application forms.
- Don’t sign a form or document if you can’t read it. Have someone translate it for you if you don’t understand what they’re saying.
- Obtain copies of any documentation your representative has prepared for you.
- Every time you pay your representative, get a signed receipt.
- Ensure that your representative keeps you informed about the status of your application.
- Remember that Canada Immigration would never call you and ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account.
- The doors to Canada are wide open.
- Each year, over 300,000 new immigrants arrive in Canada, making it the world’s most populated immigration country.
- You can apply for immigration to Canada either on your own or through a licensed immigration adviser. Before opting to immigrate to Canada, the land of immigrants, you must conduct thorough research and due diligence.