Make Money As An Immigration Consultant

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Several people who want to relocate to another country usually require a lot of help in order to achieve their goals. Most people are attracted to countries such as the UK, USA, and Canada because they believe that they will have a better life in these countries.

If you are interested in being a consultant, you should consider becoming an immigration consultant. This field has become lucrative because of the large number of people who are moving from one country to another.

An immigration consultant does not necessarily need to have a formal education. The most important thing is to be very knowledgeable and truthful. You will have to know the entire process of immigration for the country or state you are operating from and explain this process to prospective immigrants.

This set of people usually requires help to file their papers correctly and this is the most essential task demanded of this profession.

In order to make money as an immigration consultant, you should know the procedures and regulations that are expected of you. In some countries, there are no formal regulations that guide this profession but other countries may require individuals who aspire to be professional immigration consultants to become members of a particular association.

You may be required to get fingerprinted, obtain a surety bond and complete an immigration disclosure form. Other requirements include providing a current identification, passport photo as well as a small filing fee.

If you want to make money as an immigration consultant, you should have a list of past clients. When you have satisfied immigrants, it will be easier to get more. You can be sure that individuals who are happy with the services received will always give a favorable report. It is a good way to make money because you will always have clients.

Your fees should also be reasonable. Do not forget that even though you are offering immigration services, you are not an attorney and should not overcharge your client. There should be a big difference in the amount you charge and that of an attorney. What the client needs is correct immigration application and this is what you have to offer.

So you have to make your fees affordable.

Let your clients know whether there will be additional charges as they go along the way. You have to be truthful and also let them know how long the process will take. It will not be financially favorable to you to spend too much time on one client. Truthfulness also involves referring the client to an immigration attorney if the process becomes complex and requires a deep knowledge of the justice system.

You should also understand that in some cases, immigration applications can be submitted by the immigrant but he or she would rather let an expert handle it because any slight error or omission on the paperwork can delay the entire process and may even jeopardize the status of his or her immigration. This is why you have to be knowledgeable and thorough.

Do Immigration Consultants Make Money?
How Much Does an Immigration Consultant Earn?
Are Immigration Consultants Worth it?
How Can I Become an Immigration Consultant?
What do Immigration Consultant do?
How Are Immigration Consultants Regulated in Canada?
Self Employed Immigration Consultant Salary
How to Start Immigration Consultant Business
Immigration Consultant Certification
Immigration Consultant Course
Immigration Officer Salary
How Long Does it Take to Become an Immigration Consultant?
What Degree do You Need to be an Immigration Specialist?
How do I Become an Immigration Consultant in California?
How do I Become an Immigration Consultant in Alberta?
How Much do Immigration Officers Make an Hour?
Are Immigration Consultant a Lawyer?

Do Immigration Consultants Make Money?

The average annual salary for an immigration consultant ranges from $30,732 to $66,965. Experience has a moderate effect on pay for this job, and common health benefits such as dental, medical and vision are available for all professionals in this field.

How Much Does an Immigration Consultant Earn?

The average annual pay for an Immigration Consultant in the United States is $72,394 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $34.80 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,392/week or $6,033/month.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $136,500 and as low as $21,000, the majority of Immigration Consultant salaries currently range between $36,500 (25th percentile) to $118,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $132,500 annually across the United States.

The average pay range for an Immigration Consultant varies greatly (by as much as $82,000), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

Are Immigration Consultants Worth it?

So, why should you be using an immigration consultant? Here are 5 great reasons and benefits.

1. Save Time and Money

An immigration consultant can save you time and money and will let you know which visa is appropriate for you. The consultant will be there every step of the way throughout the whole process. Obtaining a visa can be much easier and faster using the services of an immigration consultant. When choosing an immigration consultant, you should ask questions like “What are your visa options?”

2. Regulated Immigration Consultants are educated and informed

Since 2004, consultants have become authorized immigration consultants that have been required to complete an accredited program. An accredited program provides consultants with important information regarding immigration law in Canada and proper procedures regarding applications with citizenship and immigration in Canada.

Additionally, members of the council are kept informed on new information and developments in the immigration field. Consultants are required to complete ongoing professional development and practice management education. Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants, or RCICs, are legally authorized representatives and members in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.

3. Immigration Consultants are insured

Members of the Council are required to obtain errors and omission insurance, which protects applicants against unintended action that may cause financial damage. This is for the protection of the consumer and the consultant – even the best of us can make a mistake that can be detrimental to the client.

If a client feels that the consultant did not act in his best interest and that his/her actions caused him damage, he/she has the right to file a complaint to ICCRC and after investigation, ICCRC suggests the client and the consultant how to settle the dispute.

4. Immigration Consultants are required to follow stringent ethical and professional guidelines.

Council members and consultants are subject to a Code of Ethical Conduct that stipulates proper procedures for their practice. The Code requires all to adhere to stringent rules, including those regarding quality service, professionalism, ethical practice, and confidentiality.

Breaching these codes is considered an act of non-compliance. It is taken seriously and dealt with immediately with importance by the Council. Additionally, members of the council must provide evidence of good character before becoming regulated immigration consultants, including submitting a police clearance record.

5. Should you hire an Immigration Consultant?

This depends on where you really need one. If you need help filling in the forms or need a translation, then you should consider hiring an immigration consultant. Immigration consultants will provide valuable service making your visa application much easier than doing it yourself.

Consultants can get your application submitted correctly the first time around, meaning that you have the greatest chance of success and your application is optimized correctly. You will be able to keep track with your consultant on the status of your application and will be able to understand everything regarding your application.

How Can I Become an Immigration Consultant?

In Canada, immigration professionals are regulated by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), and any immigration consultant who wants to work in Canada must be registered with this organization.

As of 2020, ICCRC has established a specific pathway for students and new practitioners to enter the practice of immigration consultants in Canada. Here, we’ll walk you through the basic steps to becoming an immigration consultant.

Step 1: Bachelor’s degree

As your first step, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Your field of study isn’t critical, as you’ll be pursuing further education after you graduate, but you may want to consider a program in law or public policy to give yourself a firm grounding for your future studies.

You’ll also want to be sure that you earn decent grades and make a good impression on your instructors. To qualify for the next step, you’ll need at least a B average — roughly 70% across your courses — as well as receive a good reference from an instructor. You should take advantage of professors’ office hours to build a rapport and improve your chances at receiving a good reference.

Step 2: Graduate diploma

Only two schools in Canada are permitted to offer the required graduate diploma program: Queen’s University, whose program is taught in English, and Université de Montréal, which teaches in French. Here, we’ll focus on the Queen’s University program, offered by the Faculty of Law.

The Queen’s University Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law is a necessary step on your way to becoming a registered immigration consultant in Canada. It’s a three-semester program, designed to be completed in one year, and it’s optimized for online learning, meaning you don’t need to go to the Queen’s campus in Kingston, Ontario, to take part.

To be considered for the program, you’ll need to meet the qualifications noted above, and also submit a short Statement of Interest explaining your career ambitions and interest in the field.

You’ll take part in weekly tutorials and coursework, which will take roughly 40 to 48 hours per week — about the equivalent of a full-time job. Fees are charged per term, but you can expect to pay a total of about $14,000 in tuition.

When you’ve completed the program, you’ll earn a Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law. Though the program is taught by the Queen’s Faculty of Law, you won’t be qualified to practice law in Canada — though you will be ready to write the ICCRC’s Entry-to-Practice Exam, which is the next mandatory step on your way to becoming a certified immigration consultant.

Step 3: Entry-to-Practice Exam

The final step to becoming a Canadian immigration consultant is passing the Entry-to-Practice (EPE) Exam administered by ICCRC. By completing the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law from Queen’s University, you’ll be well prepared to pass the exam with flying colors.

Be aware that only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can write the exam! If you’re an international student planning for your future, be sure that you’ve earned permanent resident status by this point, if not outright Canadian citizenship. Again, only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are able to write this crucial exam to become registered immigration consultants in Canada.

The exam is run several times each year by ICCRC. The exam consists of about 140 questions, each of which presents a hypothetical case to test your judgment as a future immigration consultant. Each question is multiple choice, and you can take the exam in English or French. The exam takes a total of three hours to complete.

The exam is open-book, meaning you can bring reference materials in with you, including notes and textbooks from your graduate diploma program, so you should have no problem passing the exam requirements. ICCRC offers a study guide to help you prepare.

What do Immigration Consultant do?

The Immigration Consultant is responsible for providing the client with advice and guidance on how best to obtain required documentation to migrate internationally and how to complete this process smoothly. The Immigration Consultant must work within strict timelines and communicate with authorities and the client consistently via email or telephone.

Clients must be treated individually and the process tailored to suit them, with the hiring of translators if necessary. The Immigration Consultant must have a strong understanding of border control procedures as well as any related legislation.

What does a Immigration Consultant job description include?

The Immigration Consultant must oversee all aspects of the Visa and Immigration Service, ensuring that the process runs smoothly.
The Immigration Consultant must interview all clients and deal with all applications face to face and by post to ensure that the client is suitable.
You must oversee the completion of all relevant visa and immigration documents and ensure that they are received within the time limit set by the government.
The Immigration Consultant must ensure that all of the information provided by the client is accurate and correct, preparing and checking all legal documents.
The Immigration Consultant must prepare all fee quotes and any information required by clients, colleagues or authorities.
You must maintain strong working relationships with all clients and colleagues.
The Immigration Consultant must be able to help the client to obtain Visas, Green cards and other documentation required.
You must take full responsibility of all Immigration issues and operations, remaining up to date with any changes to legislation.
As the Immigration Consultant you may be required train some HR staff to enhance their understanding of immigration rules to help them to fulfil their roles to a high level.

How Are Immigration Consultants Regulated in Canada?

With all the different immigration policies, laws, and visa opportunities in place, knowing what to apply for and how to apply can be confusing. Fortunately, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are available to guide you through the process of your immigration.

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants have legally authorized representatives and members in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). The consultants are specially trained, qualified. and intimately familiar with Canadian immigration policies.

Self Employed Immigration Consultant Salary

Some earn 30,000 dollars a year as Immigration assistants and Paralegals. To take an actual case, here are some examples. There is a classmate who graduated top of his class who earns about 120K a year .But She charges $150 an hour and works in a Chinese market.

Another classmate works as an International student advisor at a college for 60K a year. An Indian classmate arranges jobs and She charges 30K a case and earned 600K last year. There is no standard income.

How to Start Immigration Consultant Business

If you are someone with significant knowledge regarding immigration, you can use it to help many people out and make good money. The immigration agencies that can provide accurate information about posting a SWA Job Order are highly preferable and get plenty of customers.

The capital required to start is also meager. As many migrants are helplessly stuck in different countries, starting this business will also significantly help them.

Let’s go through the essential tips to set your immigration consultancy business.

1. Choose The Right Location

The competition of this business mostly depends on the location. If your business is the only one in a place with a large number of migrants, then it is likely, you will face no competition.

You should also consider following the trends created by larger and successful immigration consultant businesses. Try not to make independent decisions till your business grows.

2. Conduct Accurate Cost Analysis

Unlike other businesses, very little money is required to start an immigration consulting business. On the other hand, it is one of those businesses that is sure to make you some serious earnings.

You can start your business in your house for starters, and the cost includes the phone calls you make. Other expenses will begin to come up like rent for your office, utilities, maintenance, wages, tax, and further licensing if you start to grow.

3. Sort Out The Finances For Your Business

It is straightforward to control the finances of immigration consulting businesses. Most common costs would be office rent, office equipment like computers and printers, utility, phone, and internet subscriptions.

Apart from that, the costs are the bare minimum, and it is even possible to start the business from home to reduce the cost even more. But as the business grows, getting a secure office in a suitable location becomes a must. If there is a financial shortage, consider getting a loan.

4. Accept information & ideas from experts.

The immigration procedures do not change often. If you know an expert in the industry, try to imitate his policies and procedures to ensure success. This will also help you properly expand your business.

While doing the immigrant consultant program, it will be possible to create connections with many students who also plan to start a similar business.

5. You Have To Create A Thorough Business Plan

Every business needs a plan and so do immigration consultancy businesses. Although this might look difficult, having a clear mind could make things easier.

Questions like what type of people want to receive consultancy, how to approach these people, where the business will be in five years are essential to answer but should be considered in your business plan.

6. Improve Ways of communication

Consultation is all about communication. You need to appear friendly and approachable, as that is the whole purpose of a consultation business.

There are various communication skill development programs. Doing them would undoubtedly provide a beneficial result. Always try to be calm, be a good listener, understand what the person sitting in front of you is trying to say, and be careful with what you say.

Saying something slightly misleading or slightly offending will hurt your business.

7. Help Others Without Expecting Much in Return

A consultancy program is all about helping others and pulling them up from any dire situation.

More than a business, it should be considered a humanitarian activity. Like most other humanitarian acts, an immigrant consultant should think about helping the immigrant rather than growing the business.

Because the whole purpose of an immigration consulting business is to help the immigrants, doing so will also benefit your business.

8. Get A Professional Certificate

A professional certificate will give you a lot of positive reviews. A professional certificate means you have expertise in this area, making you appear more trustworthy to those who come to you.

Some certificates like The Immigration Specialist Paralegal Certificate, Certified Immigration Consultant & Certified Immigration Forms Preparer will make the consultancy business appear more professional and trustworthy.

So pursuing these certificates is advised by most successful immigrant consultants. Apart from these certificates, a lot of documents are required too, such as an article of incorporation, business license & certification, non–disclosure agreement are very important.

9. Use The Right Ways To Increase Brand Awareness

Apart from following all these methods, some other techniques can boost the business significantly and make you appear like a successful immigrant consultant. These strategies include-

Create a company website with informative content
Print advertisements in newspapers or broadcast them on television.
Asking clients for referrals, reviews, and recommendations will help you grow your business immensely.
Publish flyers and leaflets and hand them to the people of different communities.
Use the internet and promote the business through social media.
Try to contact migrant-intense communities as much as possible.

Immigration Consultant Certification

Humber’s Immigration Consultant certificate is an accredited program governed by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), an independent, self-regulating body for immigration consultants in Canada. Graduates are eligible to write the Full Skills exam for certification as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

Immigration Consultant Course

The Accredited Immigration Consultant Diploma Program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of opportunities within the immigration consultancy field.

Along the duration of six months program, and four weeks internship/placement, students learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of the profession required to analyze clients’ cases, advise and represent potential immigrants and refugees before the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

CORE BUSINESS AND OFFICE COURSES

Business Skills
Business Correspondence Level 1, Grammar Essentials for Business Writing, and Business Verbal Communication

CORE IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT COURSES

Immigration and Refugee Law Overview
Family Sponsorship
Business and Skilled Worker Classes
Temporary Status
Administrative Law and the IRB
Refugee Protection
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Client Care for Immigration Consultants
Operating Your Own Practice

Immigration Officer Salary

Immigration Officers in America make an average salary of $59,438 per year or $29 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $113,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $31,000 per year.

Immigration Officer (Fdns)	Citizenship and Immigration Services	04/27/2020	$72,030
Immigration Officer (Fraud Detection and National Security)	Department of Homeland Security	04/25/2020	$64,009
Immigration Officer (Fraud Detection and National Security)	Department of Homeland Security	04/25/2020	$64,009
Supervisory Immigration Officer (Fraud Detection & National Security)	Department of Homeland Security	04/23/2020	$109,415
Immigration Officer (Fraud Detection and National Security)	Citizenship and Immigration Services	04/23/2020	$64,009

How Long Does it Take to Become an Immigration Consultant?

Expect to spend about 500 study hours in your Canadian immigration courses. The fees range from about $8,000 to $10,000, depending on the school. Some education providers offer classes in a traditional setting (in-person), while some offer them online, and few others deliver them in a hybrid format, that is a blend of in-person and online.

What Degree do You Need to be an Immigration Specialist?

Basic education requirements vary, depending on the series and grade associated with the specific job opening. At the GS-5 level, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a major related to the occupation.

Majors for immigration specialists often include:

International relations
International business
Political science
Economics

The only exception to this is the operations research analyst position, which demands that candidates possess at least 24 semester hours in:

Operations research
Mathematics
Probability
Statistics
Mathematical logic
Science
Or courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics and statistics

Beyond the GS-5 level, education requirements include:

Candidates can qualify for the GS-7 level if they possess at least one full year of graduate education or superior academic achievement.
Candidates can qualify for the GS-9 level if they possess a master’s degree or at least two full years of graduate-level education leading to a degree such as a an LLB, JD, or PhD.
Candidates can qualify for the GS-11 (and above) if they possess at least three years of graduate-level education leading to a degree.

Note: Individuals may also advance to each salary level beyond a GS-5 by completing at least one year of specialized experience at the current salary level.

Master’s degrees for immigration specialists often include degrees in majors such as international relations, global affairs, security studies, and political science. A master’s degree in international relations, for example, provides students with a multidisciplinary education that prepares them to work in a field that demands a deep understanding of global affairs and international affairs.

Graduate degrees in majors related to international relations also provide students with ample opportunity to study and/or work abroad, thus preparing them for positions at one of the 223 offices of the USCIS located throughout the world.

How do I Become an Immigration Consultant in California?

A California immigration consultant is a person who is qualified to provide non-legal immigration services. To qualify, the state requires immigration consultants to file a disclosure form and bond.

Immigration consultants are categorized as Immigration Forms Specialists, along with immigration assistance providers and immigration clerical assistants.

How do I become a California immigration consultant?

File an Immigration Consultant Disclosure form with the Secretary of State.
Submit fingerprints and pass a background check.
Submit a 2″ x 2″ color passport photo.
Submit a copy of a current photo ID (driver’s license or U.S. passport).
File a $100,000 bond.

How do I Become an Immigration Consultant in Alberta?

Employers require applicants to have an undergraduate degree, diploma, or equivalent practical experience. Applicants should also have a level of language proficiency in English or French. They must also be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or belong to a First Nation.

Immigration consultants must keep up with Canada’s immigration system and policies. These include the Refugee Act, Criminal Code, and immigration-related procedures and legislation. They need some clerical knowledge to prepare briefs, pleadings, and other documents.

Consultants who work with foreign workers need knowledge of and experience with related immigration programs. Examples include the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.

How Much do Immigration Officers Make an Hour?

The average hourly pay for an Immigration Officer in the United States is $42.81 an hour.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $100.00 and as low as $9.38, the majority of Immigration Officer wages currently range between $18.51 (25th percentile) to $48.56 (75th percentile) across the United States.

The average pay range for an Immigration Officer varies greatly (by as much as $30.05), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

Are Immigration Consultant a Lawyer?

Anyone accepting payment for Canadian immigration services must be properly licensed. Here are the differences between these two professionals.

Immigration Consultant

Immigration consultants must belong to the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council and should be able to show you their RCIC card.

Consultants need a one-year certification to obtain registration. Consultants are less knowledgeable and have a more considerable margin of error in processing applications.

Consultants are not lawyers, do not attend law school, and cannot advocate in court for you.

Immigration Lawyers

Attorneys must be a member of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society.

To be an immigration lawyer, you must attend law school, earn a three-year degree and pass the bar exam to be registered.

Your immigration attorney can accompany you to immigration interviews. If your application comes under judicial review, they have the authority to advocate in court on your behalf.

Attorneys are held to a high ethical standard and must always work in their client’s best interests.

Immigration lawyers are regulated and governed by provincial law societies; they do no have ICCRC numbers. Your attorney’s authority is their registration under the bar and province where they practice law.

Avoid Fraud

While properly licensed immigration consultants are trustworthy, there is a high incidence of fraud in their industry. Verify all services you are receiving and be careful of anything that sends up a red flag, including:

Asking for payment upfront without a consultation
No contract or retainer to sign
Requesting money for a job offer
Guaranteeing a visa, permanent residence application, or work permit
If a consultant is unable to provide an ICCRC number
If an attorney is unable to provide a provincial law association listing

Conclusion

Business can be of many sorts, and the immigrant consultation business is a unique one. This is more of a humanitarian activity than just a consulting business. Even so, this still has a lot of room for growth and can be very profitable with minimal cost to start.