Immigrating to a new country can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Having an expert to guide you is always a good idea.
If you are in the process of immigrating to Canada, you may have begun looking for a mentor to assist you, which has led you to immigration lawyers and consultants.
You may be wondering whether you should hire an immigration lawyer or consultant. What is the distinction between the two, and what can they provide you?
Immigration lawyers and immigration consultants both provide assistance with the immigration process, but there are key differences between the two.
Immigration Consultants Vs. Immigration Lawyers
In our VisaPlace office, we often get asked about what is the difference between immigration lawyers and immigration consultants. After all, both immigration consultants and immigration lawyers offer services related to helping people with their immigration and visa applications. Many immigration Canada consultants in Toronto and elsewhere are very good at what they do and some are not so reputable. The same can be said for lawyers. However, you should be aware that to become either an immigration lawyer or immigration consultant there are certain educational requirements that have to be met, at least in the province of Ontario.
Educational Requirements for Immigration Lawyers and Immigration Consultants
Immigration Lawyers
A Canadian immigration lawyer must graduate from law school, pass the bar exam, and join a provincial Law Society.
Immigration lawyers generally do not offer expertise in immigration law in law school because most Canadian law schools only offer one or two classes in this field.
Immigration lawyers gain most of their knowledge through expertise, whereas immigration consultants acquire knowledge through both experience and highly specialized study. Immigration lawyers do not have a CICC number, and their practices are governed by provincial law societies rather than the CICC.
Immigration Lawyers in Ontario
In order to become a licensed lawyer in Ontario, you have to go to law school, graduate and then undergo 10 months of “articling” which is like an apprenticeship with another licensed lawyer or law firm. As you can imagine, that is a lot of schooling. And to even get into law school, you have complete at least 2 years of undergraduate university courses under your belt (in most cases, a full 3-year B.A.) and have very high grades.
Finally, all lawyers have to pass their Bar Examinations which permit them to actually practice law with a license. The Bar course that lawyers have to take consists of both practical and ethical components. Therefore, you know when hiring a licensed lawyer to assist you with your immigration and visa case, he or she has undergone extensive training and obviously has completed and passed a lot of difficult exams! Of course, there is no substitute for experience. In deciding on an immigration lawyer, it is really important to ask the right questions about that lawyer’s experience in dealing with a wide range of immigration cases.
Immigration Consultants
An immigration consultant is a licensed member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants who has completed a one-year certification program (CICC).
The membership number of a consultant can be verified on the College’s website. The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants monitors and audits consultants on a regular basis.
CICC was created to protect the interests of licensed immigration consultants’ clients. Its primary goal is to protect immigration and citizenship clients while also strengthening the consulting industry’s integrity.
Immigration Consultants in Ontario
More specifically, in terms of Toronto immigration consultants and consultants in other cities in Ontario, they also have to meet certain requirements in order to legally represent clients in Ontario. According to the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, known as CSIC, consultants have to be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents and a graduate of an accredited immigration certificate or diploma program. They will also have to complete a mandatory pre-admission course for membership into CSIC. Immigration Consultants also have to pass a language proficiency test, show proof of good character and have no criminal record.
Finally, both immigration lawyers and immigration consultants have to have liability insurance which is very important to protect clients and representatives where there are claims of liability. Regardless of whether you are considering hiring an immigration lawyer or immigration consultant in Toronto or elsewhere, it is important that you do your due diligence in terms of looking into the background of the professional you are considering. There is even no harm in asking to see a copy of their license to practice immigration before signing up for their services.
What Is the Main Difference Between an Immigration Lawfirm and an Immigration Consultant Firm?
The main significant distinction is that an immigration consulting firm cannot represent clients in federal court. They can only offer advice and help with the application process. In addition, an immigration law firm is made up of lawyers who have completed law school and have a law degree. Immigration lawyers must also follow strict ethical and professional responsibility standards established by their state and provincial bar associations. These rules are intended to protect the best interests of the client.
Do You Need Help Hiring an Immigration Lawyer or Consultant?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
Ready for the next step? Book your 1-on-1 consultation now or call us at 1-877-296-0874.
Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?
Fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.
The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
