After consulting the internet and various online forums about immigration you’ve become more confused about your options on how to come or stay in Canada. What’s next for you? The logical step would be to seek an initial consultation with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), whose status you can verify with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
Doing your own research is always good. The internet is filled to the brim with information. The problem is filtering the appropriate information and ensuring that you are comprehending it in the proper context. Plus you can be spending hours on end trying to find a single information. Meanwhile, consulting different online forums and calling immigration professionals for “quick questions” are huge time wasters. You’re most likely to end up with pieces of information that do not connect and you may have even gathered information that’s not applicable to you.
While it is amazing to have supportive family and friends they are not the best source of guidance if they’re giving advice solely from their own experiences. Not discounting experiences, immigration advice should be rooted in Canadian immigration policies and regulations.
The best persons to approach for these matters are immigration professionals who have the educational background, experience and competence to hold initial consultations as part of their services.
Benefits of booking your initial consultation
Get peace of mind – Isn’t it worth every penny to have peace of mind when you’re on the right track with your immigration application? An initial consultation gives you adequate information paving the way for an informed decision. Instead of having only 3 pieces of a puzzle from the answers you’ve gathered from your “quick questions” to numerous people, you will solve the complete puzzle by consulting with an RCIC.
Know your eligibility for immigration program/s – Is my English proficiency enough? Do I meet the required education level? Do I have enough work experience? Can I sponsor my aunt since I have no family member in Canada? Can I sponsor my nephew to study here in Canada? These are often asked as a “quick question” in e-mails, and sometimes over the phone. These are not quick questions though as eligibility assessments of sponsors and applicants take time. This means the RCIC has to go through your profile and any documents you may have to determine if you meet a specific program criteria.
In most cases, a one-time consultation would direct you to immigration programs suited for your profile. For instance, there are between 6 – 8 PR pathways for international student graduates, and each pathway has its own eligibility criteria. It will give you peace of mind to know with absolute certaintly which pathway has the best chance of success?
Avoid costly and irreparable mistakes – Licensed immigration consultants went through a rigorous process to acquire their licenses. They had to complete an immigration practioner’s diploma program, satisfy the minimum language proficiency requirements of CLB 9 and pass the Entry to Practice Exam for RCIC. To maintain competence, they are also required to put in 16 hours / year for their continuing professional development. This means that learning never stops for RCICs especially because immigration policies and regulations are always changing. The perfect example of this is the numerous Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada policy updates brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sometimes what appears as a straightforward application may turn out to be a nightmare simply because well-meaning family and friends who aren’t well-versed in immigration law have been consulted instead of going to an immigration legal professional. Take the case of Toronto intensive care unit nurse Christine Joyce Vega who was almost deported for minor mistakes on her work permit extention application. She would have avoided the costly mistake had she consulted with an RCIC or an immigration lawyer in the first place. Read the full story here.
Develop a plan of action – Coming to Canada is a life-changing decision that needs to be well thought out. To maximize your immigration success an RCIC can help you develop a smart plan of action during your initial consultation.
Additionally, consulting with an immigration professional becomes a must when you have previous refusals, have grave concerns about medical or criminal inadmissibility, complicated family history, etc. The consultant will put in the time to assess the facts of your case, develop a strategy when there is a good chance of success, or outline the risks in pursuing the application.
Consultation Fees are credited to the Retainer Fee – Most RCICs will credit the initial consultation fee you paid when you retain their services. When you consult with us we’ll credit your fee if you retain our services within 14 days. We will waive the fee if you retain our services right after the consultation.
Consultations are covered by agreements for your protection – Initial consultation agreements assure you will get competent immigration advice founded on immigration laws and regulations and any any policy updates.
Book a consultation today!
Be wary when the immigration professional you’re dealing with does not offer consulting services. This is a red flag. Also note that all consulting services rendered should be covered by agreements, invoices and receipts.
