What is the difference between and Immigration Consultant and a Lawyer?
Usually an Immigration Consultant is not a Lawyer. They may sometimes have a law degree but they are not a member of a Canadian Law Society and are regulated instead by the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC). An Immigration Consultant could be described as a “paralegal” who specializes only in immigration cases. Only members of CSIC and members of Canadian Law Societies are licensed to represent clients in the field of immigration in Canada. Essentially they both perform the same role as far as immigration applications are concerned. Both are licensed to “represent” clients before Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and before the Immigration and Refugee Board at hearings and appeals. Only a Lawyer is allowed to represent clients before the Federal Court of Canada at a Judicial Review however. Both members of Law Societies and members of CSIC adhere to strict codes of ethics and professional conduct and are regulated by their respective regulatory bodies. It isn’t
