Do You Want to Immigrate to Canada in 2019
As you may know, Canada’s education and living conditions attract many foreign nationals to visit, study, and work. Furthermore, the multiculturalism in Canada is one of the essential reasons that drives one's longing to move. After they have experienced the beauty of Canada, they may consider settling down permanently in Canada. While numerous individuals are contemplating moving to Canada, they may be thinking about looking for assistance from an immigration representative to make the immigration process more smoothly. Indeed, here comes the most significant inquiry: is hiring a representative necessary? In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of hiring an immigration representative and how to avoid immigration fraud.
Who are Immigration Representatives
Immigration may be difficult and complicated, especially if you are not family with Canadian immigration law. If you are struggling with your application, you may be able to seek guidance from a representative. An Immigration and citizenship representative’s job duties include but are not limited to:
· explaining and giving advice with respect to your immigration or citizenship options
· Navigating numerous immigration programs with you
· Helping you fill out forms and complete your application
· communicating with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada on your behalf
· representing you in an immigration or citizenship application or hearing
Often times, an immigration and citizenship representative could be:
· citizenship or immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council
· lawyers or paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
· friends
· family members
· other third parties
Type of Immigration Representatives
According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, there are two types of representatives: paid or unpaid.
Paid Representatives
In order to be a paid representative, one must be authorizes by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. They need to be governed by either a Canadian provincial/territorial law society, Chambre des notaires du Québec, or Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. This type of representative provides you services in exchange for money. Prior to hiring a paid representative, you must check their credentials, qualifications, and experience. If Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada finds out that you are dealing with representatives who charge a fee but are not authorized, your application will be returned or refused.
Unpaid Representatives
In contrast to paid representatives, unpaid representatives could be:
· family members
· friends
· other third parties who do not charge a fee
The unpaid representatives may be able to provide you the same guidance and assistance as paid representatives, but they do not charge a fee for their services.
Is it Necessary to Hire an Immigration Representative
All of the information regarding Canadian immigration and citizenship is available on Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s website. Since all information is fairly transparent, you do not really need to hire an immigration representative for your application. In other words, if you read and follow all instructions on Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s website, you should be able to successfully complete and submit your own application. Furthermore, hiring an immigration representative does not get your application a special attention or a guaranteed approval. However, hiring an immigration representative does have various types of benefits:
· they can choose the best immigration route for you
· they can double-check your application to minimize mistakes
· they can help you meet tight deadlines
· they can negotiate with government authorities on your behalf
· they can help you create a strong application by telling you what supporting documents are useful
Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Immigration Representatives
Since immigration is a business that involves confidentiality and monetary transactions, you need to be extremely careful of fraudulent activities. There are many ways by which you may protect yourself from immigration fraud. Before you hire a representative, you need to:
· Read the contract carefully before you sign it
· Avoid representatives who advise you to give false information or to omit information in your application (this can be misrepresentation)
· Make sure you do not leave original documents or photos with your representative
· Make sure you have access to copies of any documents your representative makes for you
· Always make sure the application forms you are signing are not blank
· Make sure you understand what the forms or documents are for (get a translator if needed)
· Get a signed receipt when you pay your representative
· Make sure your representative updates you on your application frequently
· Be careful of anything that sounds too good to be true
Contact Akrami and Associates
As previously mentioned, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada actually encourages people to submit their own applications. However, immigration applications can be very confusing and overwhelming, as there are different types of requirements that you need to meet. It is important for you to pay close attention to every detail during your application process. Failure to do so could result in application refusal. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek professional help. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients obtain permanent residency and citizenship in Canada through different immigration routes. If you have any questions regarding Canadian immigration, or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at 416-477-2545.
With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!