Many people have difficulty selecting an immigration consultant. They eventually run into imposters who provide false information or false hopes in order to obtain the initial application fee (non-refundable). Unqualified candidates may be forced to wait indefinitely as a result of this. This article explains how to select an immigration consultant, as well as some factors to consider when selecting people to work with.
11 Tips To Choose The Best Canadian Immigration Lawyers
1. Check Their Experience
Check their accreditations and make sure they’re ICCRC certified if you want to make sure an immigration consultant is trustworthy. They must have extensive experience in assisting people to successfully immigrate to the country and should be able to evaluate your application and provide you with an accurate estimate of your chances of approval.
2. Look For References
If you’re thinking about hiring a lawyer, you’ll probably schedule a consultation to discuss your needs. This is an excellent time to request references from the attorney. An experienced and professional immigration attorney should be able to provide you with references from previous cases as well as a list of satisfied clients. Make certain that any lawyer you are considering has a long list of satisfied and happy previous clients.
3. Cost
Before signing any contract, it’s a good idea to figure out how much the immigration lawyers’ services will cost you and whether they’re affordable. Immigration cases have several costs, such as immigration document filing fees.
Determine how much you must pay upfront to retain the lawyer, as well as the lawyer’s overall fee. Determine how long you will be required to pay the lawyer and how frequently the lawyer will bill you. If the cost is negotiable, consider negotiating the price.
5. Written Contract
Your legal fees to be paid to the lawyer or consultant should be specified in writing in a contract. In most cases, the legal fees will be a fixed amount that may be split depending on the stage of your application. For example, you should pay a fee to submit your application but only pay the remaining fees if your application is successful. Before you sign the contract, make sure you understand the scope of your legal fees.
6. Be Wary of Unrealistic Promises
Immigration cases can be highly complex. You should be cautious if an immigration attorney promises that your case will be simple and that you will have nothing to worry about. A lawyer with such an outlook may be inexperienced and naive.
7. Ask For Their Credentials
Immigration lawyers in Canada must have completed law school and be members of their provincial bar association. Please inquire with your immigration lawyer about where they received their degree, and do some research on the school to ensure it is credible. You can check the website of the province’s bar association to see if the lawyer you’re speaking with is in good standing.
8. Choose Quality
It is not recommended that you ‘bargain hunt’ when looking for a lawyer. Immigrating is a big step for you and your family, and you need someone trustworthy and responsible for guiding you through it. If you and your family want to start over in a new country, find a top immigration lawyer who can help make your dream a reality.
9. Check Online Reviews
When you buy a product, you read product reviews, so there’s no reason not to read company reviews as well. You can read immigration law firm reviews on Google and Facebook. There will always be some unhappy clients, but if the majority of reviews are 5-star, it is a good indication that this law firm does a good job.
10. Don’t Go Bargain Hunting
Bargain hunting is appropriate for some things; however, the stakes for immigration applications are too high and risky for bargain hunting. We’ve seen far too many “factory firms” where a lawyer sits at the helm and simply delegates work to consultants, assistants, or paralegals who worked in deplorable conditions. A Factory Firm may not provide you with the personal attention you require to win your case.
11. Examine Their License or Authorization
The Government of Canada will not deal with unlicensed immigration consultants, so choose a licensed immigration consultant to assist you with your application. In the CICC register, you can search for a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) by name, location, and licensing status. The CICC lists active consultants for Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIA) who advise on study permit applications for various Canadian universities and colleges.
Keep in mind the above tips. Finding a good immigration lawyer may appear to be a difficult task. This process, however, is well worth your time and effort, and you should not give up. Consider starting with a large number of immigration lawyers in Canada, then selecting the best few and conducting interviews with them. During the interviews, evaluate those who will meet the above criteria, as this will help you choose the best immigration lawyer for you.