I am pretty sure we can all name at least one or two family members, friends or associates who may have been affected directly or know of someone who spent a lot of money for either a job or immigration opportunity that turned out to be non-existent or a “consultant” who turned out to be unlicensed.
It is quite unfortunate that many individuals do not do their complete due diligence to ensure the person they are trusting to represent their interests to assist them in immigrating to Canada. The following are the key signs to look for to assist you in confirming that the immigration professional you consult with is licensed to provide you with services and is also in good standing.
All immigration professionals, whether lawyers or consultants are licensed by the Law Society of Ontario or the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. To confirm that the professional you hire to assist you with your immigration needs can do so, refer to https://lso.ca/public-resources/finding-a-lawyer-or-paralegal to confirm the registration status of your lawyer and or paralegal or https://college-ic.ca/protecting-the-public/find-an-immigration-consultant? to confirm the registration status of your immigration consultant. This will also advise you whether they are in good standing or whether they have any proceedings against them with the regulatory body they are licensed with. This will allow you to determine whether the professional you are thinking of retaining is legally able to represent your interests.
Be sure to check any business websites they have as well to confirm their experience and the scope of their practice as some consultants specialize in specific areas of immigration.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us for further information.