What is an Immigration Consultant?
An immigration consultant is often considered to be an expert in the field of immigration but without a law degree or any similar education. Thus, an immigration consultant is not the same as an immigration attorney. Many jobs within the immigration field require formal education, but not immigration consultants. While some immigration consultants can prove to be very knowledgeable and trustworthy, literally anyone can call themselves an immigration consultant. There are no formal regulations for the immigration consultant profession in the United States. The problem is that individuals in need of immigration help may not know the difference between an immigration lawyer and an immigration consultant. In response to bogus "immigration consultants," Canada requires all professional immigration consultants to be a member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants ("CSIC") if they want to be affiliated with the Canadian government.

Many immigration applications that need to be submitted to the USCIS or U.S. Department of State can be done by the individual him/herself. However, in many cases it is recommended to obtain help with immigration applications, as a simple filing error can significantly delay the filing process and may even compromise one's immigration status. An immigration consultant can assist with filing immigration forms and the application process. However, sometimes immigration cases are complex and require in-depth knowledge of the justice system.

The immigration language consists of a particular set of words and jargon that for most people is difficult to understand. An immigration lawyer is more likely to understand the complexities of immigration law and immigration jargon, as compared to an immigration consultant. However, immigration attorneys generally charge high consultation fees, which is something immigration consultants benefit from. If an individual needs help with a specific issue and the price between a lawyer and a consultant is hundreds or even thousands of dollars, the individual may be more likely and chose the consultant. Consultants can promote their immigration services the same way as immigration lawyers do but benefit from the overall high price level in the industry.

While it is easy to argue that it is better to let an immigration lawyer handle your file despite the higher consultation and handling fees, knowledgeable immigration consultants can save you a lot of time and money. In seeking assistance filling out immigration forms and applications, another option exists besides an immigration consultant or an immigration attorney. Immigration guides are available which provide detailed application instructions. These guides can prove to be very helpful and are a lot less expensive than both an immigration attorney and an immigration consultant.

When choosing an immigration consultant, keep in mind the following:

• Can you see testimonials?
• Can you speak to a former clients?
• Do you know all the fees upfront?
• Will there will be any additional fees along the way?
• Do you know how long the process will take?
• Can the immigration consultant handle your case? If not, can he/she refer you to an immigration attorney?

Choosing an immigration consultant will in most cases be cheaper than hiring an immigration attorney, but it is important to keep in mind that they might not be a true expert in the field just because they know immigration terms and procedures.