Introduction

Becoming a registered immigration consultant is one of the most important steps you can take in your career if you are threading this career path. You can work with clients all over the world, helping them navigate the immigration process from start to finish.  

Registering as an immigration consultant gives you access to many different resources. But don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start. 

We’ve got all the resources you need to get started and even help your business grow.

Who is an immigration consultant

Immigration consultants are professionals who help immigrants and their families navigate the immigration process. There are many different types of immigration consultants, including those who specialize in family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, and asylum applications.

To become a registered immigration consultant (RCIC), you must have a strong background in law and experience with immigration law. You’ll also need to complete an intensive training program that lasts at least one year. 

After graduation, you must pass a state licensing exam and complete continuing education requirements for at least five years in order to maintain your license.

For example, if you want to become an immigration consultant, it will take a few steps. First, you need to get your license from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). 

Then you must pass the licensing exam and meet other requirements before becoming a registered immigration consultant, or RIC. After this step, you can then register with the USDOL as an RIC or renew your registration if necessary.

How long does it take to become an immigration consultant?

It can take up to two years or several years after receiving your license before being able to practice as an RIC in the United States. This is because state laws may require additional training before being able to work on behalf of clients at their location(s).

Here are some steps you need to take to become an immigration consultant:

• Register with the Department of Labor (DOL).
• Pass the exam that determines whether or not you’re qualified to practice as an immigration consultant.
• Get at least five years of experience working as an immigration consultant before applying for registration with the DOL.

Major immigration licensing organizations in the US, Canada & UK

If you’re interested in becoming a registered immigration consultant, there are several major licensing organizations across Canada, the US and the UK. In the US, you can become a Registered Representative with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

In Canada, you can become a Licensed Immigration Consultant with Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC). And in the UK, you can become a Registered Migration Adviser with the UKVI.

These organizations have different requirements for becoming a licensed consultant. In the United States, there is the I-924 program administered by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which requires foreign nationals who wish to work in the United States as an immigration consultant to be authorized by USCIS before they can begin working.

For example, USCIS requires that applicants for its program have at least five years of working experience as an immigration consultant. 

The CIC is an independent non-profit organization based out of Toronto, Canada that serves as a professional association for all types of immigration consultants. This includes employers seeking to hire foreign workers, migrants seeking to move to Canada or other countries around the world, and permanent residents or citizens seeking citizenship or permanent residence in Canada.

CIC requires that applicants have at least three years of working experience as an immigration consultant before applying to become licensed. 

And while UKVI doesn’t require specific work experience before applying, it does require individuals to complete a minimum number of hours of specialized training before they’re eligible to apply for registration.

How to become an immigrtaion consultant

• Taking training courses: First and foremost, you’ll need to take training courses. Training programs are available through various organizations, and most require you to complete at least two years of full-time training before registering with the government.
• Getting a law degree or diploma in public policy: Many states require that aspiring immigration consultants have a law degree or diploma in public policy from an accredited university. You will also need to complete at least two years of full-time postgraduate study in this subject area before applying for registration with the government.
• Learn a foreign language: If you don’t already know one, it’s best to learn one before starting your career as an immigration consultant so that you can communicate effectively with clients and potential clients who speak different languages than you do.
• Pass a background check: You’ll need to pass a background check. This will ensure that you have no criminal record and that your personal information is accurate. The background check takes about six weeks, so it’s important to make sure it’s finished before applying for membership with one of the organizations.
• Apply for membership in your country’s immigration services association (list the relevant organizations in the US, Canada & UK along with the entry requirements): Apply for membership in your country’s immigration services association. Find out how much money the organization pays its members and make sure that’s what you want to do as well. Some associations require members to pay a fee before they’re allowed to join. Others will let you become a member without paying anything up front. It’s important to do some research before signing up with an organization so that you know what your options are and can choose the best one for your situation. Also, keep in mind that there are several organizations in the United States and Canada that offer training and education for immigration consultants. These associations are meant to help members network with each other and with government officials, which will help you find more clients.  
• In the UK, there are two main organizations: the Society of Immigration Consultants, which offers training and certification; and the Institute of Immigration Consultants (IIC), which has no membership requirement but does require certification for those who want to become accredited as “Citizenship & Immigration Advisors” (C&IA). The scope of practice for C&IAs varies depending on where they work; some may only be able to assist in certain areas of immigration law while others can give advice on all types of matters related to immigration laws. 
• The US Immigration Consultant Registration Act (ICRA) and the UK Immigration Services Association (UKISA) both require that immigration consultants be registered with their respective associations in order to legally practice immigration law.
• To become an ICRA-registered immigration consultant, you must have completed a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education in immigration law every year for five years. You must also have an active ICRA membership for at least one year before applying.
• UKISA’s requirements are slightly more stringent, requiring you to complete 40 hours of continuing education every year for five years and maintain a UKISA membership for at least one year before applying.
• The Canadian Immigration Consultants Association (CICA) is the primary organization for registered immigration consultants in Canada. The CICA has over 3000 members, and its website provides information about becoming a consultant and getting started in your career. To become a registered immigration consultant in the United States, there are several steps to take:
• 1) Register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• 2) Pass the I-9 form and receive an employment number.
• 3) Receive an identification card from DHS, which will allow you to practice as an immigration consultant at airports or U.S. ports of entry (POE). This card also allows you to practice in other countries where DHS does not explicitly regulate immigration consultants such as France, Japan and South Korea under certain conditions.
• 4) Complete a Basic Skills course from one of four approved training programs on US soil. The courses are offered online or by correspondence through one of 20 approved training providers across the country; each provider has its own requirements for completion.
• 5) Pass a written test administered by DHS or by one of its recognized testing centers around the country; or complete an exam administered by Credential Assessment Services International (CASI).

How Formplus can help immigration consultants

As a registered immigration consultant, you need Formplus. Formplus is a premium form creation tool that allows you to create forms like travel application forms and quote forms using some of its over 1000 templates. 

You can create any type of form in minutes and then edit it to your needs, without having to spend hours searching for the right template. Here are three of the Formplus form templates that can be of immense help to you as an immigration consultant.

• Travel information templates: A travel information form, which can be used by travel agencies or airlines to verify travel information of travellers and passengers.
• Citizenship templates: A citizenship application form, which is designed to allow individuals to apply to become citizens of a country.
• Travel Agent Quote Form Template: A travel agent quote form, which is an estimation form that is used by travellers and tourists to get the estimation of a trip. Travel agents and professionals can use this form to provide travel quotes to customers.

Conclusion

There are several ways to become an immigration consultant, but the first step is to become a licensed agent. This means that you must have a specific qualification and training in order to do this work. 

If you don’t meet these requirements, then you won’t be able to call yourself an immigration consultant. You can follow the steps listed above to see how well you qualify to become an immigration consultant.