This is the first question clients ask. “Do I really need an immigration consultant to prepare my application?”
The easy answer is no as most immigration forms and guides are available on official federal or provincial websites in Canada. Anyone can fill out their own application form and send it off.
The real question is you need to ask is “Why should I hire an immigration consultant?”
Check out these five reasons why people hire an immigration consultant: 1. Expert Knowledge, 2. Program Specialization, 3. Higher Success Rates, 4. Faster Processing Times, 6. Unique Situations – Specifically COVID-19 policies.
Now that we are living in a pandemic, Canadian immigration programs and policies change quickly and often with little to no advanced warning. So if you are considering hiring help, now is the best time to do so.
5 Top Reasons to Hire an Immigration Consultant.
- Expertise: An immigration consultant is more than just a person who makes an application for you.
In Canada, an immigration consultant typically refers to a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), which is a professional designation regulated by the government of Canada. An RCIC refers to a person who has been trained in various immigration programs and the legal requirements for those programs.
A consultant will be able to help you understand why one immigration program is better than another for you. They can help you create your immigration plan and help you learn all your options so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.
If you have an application in processing with the government an RCIC is also able to make inquiries and requests on your behalf. This is especially helpful if the government has requested additional information or documentation. - Specialization: There are hundreds of immigration applications/programs available in Canada, and even more requirements or exceptions, for each one. Professional Canadian immigration consultants typically specialize in different immigration programs.
For example, a consultant may have expert knowledge of family/spousal sponsorship, while another may know all about the temporary foreign worker program and labour market impact assessments, while yet another is well versed in investment/business immigration programs.
The right consultant will be able to advise you about all the legal requirements for your program, what you can and can’t do when you are here, and about any possible exemptions that may apply to your case.
The application guides do not provide this background information, or any extra details that consultants have gained through experience. - Speed: An application submitted by an immigration professional will be treated the same as any other, and this means there is no preferential treatment for those people who hire a representative vs. those who do not.
The key here is that an immigration professional will ensure that you have all the required documents, all data is accurate and true, and any additional or supportive information is included if needed.
This means that when a Government of Canada immigration processing officer gets your application, it will be easier for them to determine if your application meets approval criteria.
They also help prevent errors which create delays, or in a worst-case scenario, cause the application to be returned to you. When your application is submitted by a RCIC, it is easier for the government to process, as it typically is not missing any details or documents.
Any small mistake on an application can add weeks or months to your processing time. For example, one mistake on a permanent resident application could cause your application to take 24 months rather than 18 months. Six months is a long time to wait, especially if your work permit is about to expire. - Better Success Rates: Everyone wants to have their application approved, and although an RCIC can’t guarantee that an application will be approved, they can give you the best chance.
Many people who come to Canada on a work permit ultimately want to make Canada their new home. Why take chances with your future when you can get the best advice and give yourself the best chance?
An RCIC will be able to make sure that all the information you provide is correct to the best of your knowledge, they will be able to make requests to the government on your behalf, and represent you if something does go wrong. If you missed providing information to the government, an RCIC could help prevent your application from being returned or refused.
Remember, an RCIC doesn’t just know how to make an application but also understands the immigration rules much more so than you. - COVID-19 Policies: The global pandemic has affected every part of our daily lives so it is no wonder that it would cause significant changes to Canadian immigration programs.
The main problem is continual program changes, and how to know whether they will affect your case in a positive or negative way. Many Canadian immigration professionals are in contact with the provincial and federal governments representatives, and therefore may be able to help you understand the new regulations better than the government notices.
It is important to remember that each person and their situation is unique, and because of this a professional will help you evaluate all your options so that you can make the best and most informed decisions.
Don’t Take Unnecessary Risks With Your Immigration.
Overall, an immigration professional may not be required but they definitely make the entire immigration process so much easier. The immigration professionals at the Canadian Application Centre are here to help you examine all your possibilities.
Our immigration professionals can help you map out your immigration journey. In just 30 minutes, you can find out which programs you qualify for and how to begin for only $165 CAD.
Let us navigate the ever changing Canadian immigration landscape for you.
