Immigration consultants provide immigration assistance. This can include services such as assistance with filing applications and petition, helping to gather required documentation or translation.
There is no certification process in the United States to become an immigration consultant, which means there is no standard that U.S. consultants must adhere to. Immigration consultants may have little experience with the immigration system or be experts. They may have a high degree of education (which may or may not include some legal training) or very little education. However, an US immigration consultant is not the same as an US immigration lawyer in Montreal or accredited representative.
The big difference between immigration consultants and immigration attorneys/accredited representatives is that consultants are not allowed to give legal assistance. For example, they may not tell you how you should answer immigration interview questions or what application or petition to apply for. They also cannot represent you in immigration court.
The things that an immigration lawyer can do are:
There is no certification process in the United States to become an immigration consultant, which means there is no standard that U.S. consultants must adhere to. Immigration consultants may have little experience with the immigration system or be experts. They may have a high degree of education (which may or may not include some legal training) or very little education. However, an US immigration consultant is not the same as an US immigration lawyer in Montreal or accredited representative.
The big difference between immigration consultants and immigration attorneys/accredited representatives is that consultants are not allowed to give legal assistance. For example, they may not tell you how you should answer immigration interview questions or what application or petition to apply for. They also cannot represent you in immigration court.
The things that an immigration lawyer can do are:
- He can represent you before USCIS as only immigration attorneys and accredited representatives may represent you.
- He can give you legal advice on what immigration benefit you may apply for.
- He can give you advice on what to say in an immigration interview.
- He can claim to be qualified in legal matters or in immigration and naturalization procedure.
- He can charge considerable fees - consultants may only charge nominal (inexpensive) fees as regulated by state law.
