Do you really need an Immigration Consultant to file your case?


We all probably, have traveled overseas at some point in time, whether it was for a visit, for work or for Permanent Residency and at each of those times, it had crossed our minds not once, but several times, "Should I hire an immigration consultant to file my case?"

 It is a very legitimate question. 

 With the abundance of information, it has become easy for us to get details. We can read on websites, search on Google, talk to our friends and can thus do a lot of stuff ourselves. Nothing wrong with it. If you think you have the know how, do it. A lot of people do it themselves and are successful.

 But then, why do we have Immigration Consultants?

 Immigration Consultants are people who have been designated by the Government to file your applications. Governments of respective countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc have appointed regulatory bodies to streamline the profession. These regulatory bodies ensure that the right professionals, with relevant knowledge represent your case.

 But being an immigration consultant is not easy. On the surface filing an application looks like a cake walk. Select an application type, refer to the website and file your case. Easy as 1,2,3? Not really. Easier said than done.
A lot goes into the making of an immigration consultant. They study Immigration Law for more than 6 months, undergo unpaid internships to get a first hand view of how applications are filed, get Police Clearance to prove an unblemished record, write IELTS, provide proof of Good Conduct, should be discharged from Bankruptcy etc are just few of the requirements to write the Licensing Exam for Immigration Consultants.

 Add to it the fee for writing the licensing exam, registering your own company, establishing a Client Trust Account, investing in Continuing Professional Development activities, paying Errors & Omissions Fee, pay membership dues, mandatory Practice Management Education courses and the list goes on. All of which costs time, money and patience at every step.

 Thus an immigration consultant has invested a lot to get where he is today and has a lot at stake, if he is unable to prove himself. It might thus cost you a tad extra to file your case, but can save you a lot of trouble and time. And when you are investing in your future in a new country and are ready to forgo everything that you have earned till now, putting in a small amount to invest in a good consultant should certainly not hurt you.

 I know immigration consultants have not portrayed themselves in the most positive light and have fleeced people in the name of a better future, but not everybody is the same. You just have to do your due diligence and invest in a consultant who is Licensed and registered with the regulatory body of the country. Any run of the mill person who has glanced through the immigration website should not be your guiding light to file an immigration case.

 Choice is yours, I just wanted to throw some light on an underlooked profession in our society. Good luck with your application process.

 Cheers :-)

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