Looking to immigrate to Canada? If so, there are plenty of steps and paperwork involved that you’ll want to get familiar with. And while you could try to navigate all the complexities involved with Canadian immigration on your own, you may want to consider enlisting the services of an immigration consultant to boost your chances of success.
Let’s find out more about immigration consultants in Canada, what they do, and whether or not they’re worth the extra cost.
What Is An Immigration Consultant?
An immigration consultant guides people looking to move to Canada through the immigration system. These professionals help people meet all requirements and comply with immigration laws to ensure a successful transition from abroad to their new home in Canada, whether for study, business, or permanent residence.
How Much Is An Immigration Consultant?
The cost of an immigration consultant varies quite a bit, depending on a variety of factors, including the following:
- The immigration program you’re applying through
- The complexity of the case
- How fast you’d want to relocate
- Where you reside currently
That said, the services of an immigration consultant can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000. For instance, a visa for visiting, studying, or working in Canada can cost between $1,000 to $1,500. For a skilled worker looking to come to Canada via an express entry visa, the cost is much more, from $3,000 to $5,000.
Is A Immigration Consultant Worth It?
The laws surrounding immigration in Canada and all the paperwork required can be overwhelming and daunting for newcomers. Going it alone can be stressful and may even get in the way of a successful move to Canada.
While immigration consultants cost money, they can help you navigate the system and streamline the pathway to immigrating to Canada. For this reason, it may be worth considering the added cost to have these experts working on your behalf. That is if your finances can support it.
How Can A Immigration Consultant Help You Settle Down In Canada?
It’s one thing to get to Canada with all your belongings. But it’s quite another to be able to stay here for an extended period of time.
There are plenty of other aspects to consider as well, such as health insurance, rent, transportation, and taxes. Immigration consultants can work with you to deal with all the little details that come with immigrating to Canada.
They may be able to explain the budget you’ll need to be able to afford all of the expenses that come with living in Canada, including those just mentioned. All newcomers should create a budget that factors in all expenses to ensure their income adequately covers everything.
Why Do You Need A Good Credit Score After Immigrating To Canada?
When you move to Canada, you’ll have zero credit. Even if your credit score was strong back home, you can’t transfer it to Canada. That means you won’t have any credit at all as a newcomer in Canada.
It’s important to build your credit as a newcomer for a few reasons:
To Take Out A Loan
When you come to Canada with the help of your immigration consultant, you’ll have numerous expenses to pay. Similarly, you may want to purchase a home or a car in the future. Whether you’re applying for a personal loan, a mortgage, or a car loan, you’ll need access to credit.
But lenders typically require applicants to have healthy finances and a good credit score to get approved. When you apply for a loan, the lender will usually conduct a credit check, so you’ll need to make sure your credit score is relatively strong.
To Apply For A Lease
Many landlords request to pull prospective tenants’ credit reports when screening them. While they’ll need your consent to access your credit report, they’re within their legal rights to request this information. Landlords want to make sure their tenants are capable of paying their rent on time, which is why they prefer to offer their rental units to those with good credit.
To Get A Job
Some employers may require a credit check, especially for jobs that involve sensitive data or financial information.
As soon as you immigrate to Canada, take steps to establish credit. Here are a couple of effective ways to do that:
Register With The Landlord Credit Bureau (LCB)
If you decide to rent when you first move to Canada, consider registering with the Landlord Credit Bureau (LCB). This platform allows tenants to use their rent to build credit. Landlords affiliated with the LCB will report rent payments to Equifax, which means every timely rent payment will go towards building good credit.
Take Out A Secured Credit Card
You may find it difficult to get approved for an unsecured credit card with no credit. But secured credit cards are much easier to get, even if you don’t have much of a credit profile. As long as you pay your bills on time every month, you can use your secured credit card to establish a payment history and build good credit.
How To Choose An Immigration Consultant
There are many immigration services available in Canada, so how do you choose one? Consider the following before settling on an immigration consultant:
Are They Legitimate?
Immigration consultants in Canada should have a license to practice in this field. They must be properly authorized to work as a consultant in the world of immigration; otherwise, your application is at risk of being turned down.
What are their Qualifications?
Inquire about the consultant’s past experience and training. Find out how long they’ve been working as an immigration consultant and ask for references to verify the quality of their services.
Get A Written Contract
A professional immigration consultant will draft up a written agreement that details all the services they’ll provide and the fees you’ve agreed on. Make sure you carefully read it before signing.
Final Thoughts
While it can be expensive to have an immigration consultant guide you through the immigration process. The extra expense may be worth it for some peace of mind. Rather than navigating the process and application on your own, you can hire a professional with industry experience who will ensure that no mistakes are made. Ultimately, having someone by your side who’s familiar with the process will boost your chances of success.
