I am ready to process my paper work to immigrate to canada. I am already living and working in canada. I have nobody to ask for help and I don't have anybody who can give me some advice..People at work say I should hire a lawyer. Is that really neccessary? What does a lawyer do for processing immigration job? So far, I have done all the paper work for my student and work visa by myself. I won't have any problem with getting all required papers ready. I am just wondering having a lawyer will really help me to reduce some pain..Or will it make huge difference?

Thanks.

[Edited by Jan K. on Nov 13th 2001 at 5:10pm]

In general, there is no benefit to using a lawyer for immigrating to Canada, unlike
immigrating to the USA. The forms are generally fairly self explanatory. Where a
lawyer or consultant may help is if you have problems with English, have a criminal
record, have had problems with immigration before or are a refugee claimant.

As much as I respect some of the lawyers and consultants who post here, having gone
through this myself, I don't believe there is any real need. CIC themselves are a
good source of information, and even if a little slow in answering phones and
questions, their info has usually been accurate, (unlike the US ASK INS phone lines!)

Good luck!

Stuart

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If your qualifications exceed requirements and you know how to prepare the
application package without any errors or mistakes, your work experience (duties and
tasks performed) matches the description of your intended occupation in NOC and you
feel comfortable going through the process without professional assistance then you
may go ahead and do it yourself.

There are many reasons for hiring an immigration expert and decision to hire one
depends from individual circumstances. Well experienced immigration professional will
make sure that the entire application package is prepared flawlessly and is
presenting your qualifications in the best possible and strongest way. Nobody can
speed-up the process (contrary to claims of some "experts"), but assistance of
immigration professional will prevent any unnecessary delays in the process that may
occur due to poorly prepared package.

You didn't provide any details of your qualifications and background, so it is
impossible to tell you if hiring immigration professional will give you more benefits
than piece of mind, but many people hire an expert just for that reason.

--

../..

Andrew Miller Immigration Consultant Vancouver, British Columbia email:
[email protected] (delete REMOVE and INVALID from the above address before
sending email)
________________________________

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Andrew, your reasons for selecting a professional are indeed good ones. Peace of mind
is a very good reason. That said, sadly, there are any number of charlatans out there
offering immigration assistance, and it's hard for anyone to determine the good from
the bad. I wish they all had the credibility of many of the organisations posting in
here now, yourself included.

Stuart

People decide to use professional help for many reasons such as lack of = time, lack
of particular skills required to do this type of work, need = of understanding
helping hand, peace of mind, etc... Just as you would = consider for any other task
from building a deck to treating an ailment.

When choosing counsel keep in mind that you should select a professional = with a
strong background, solid training and is dedicated to immigration = work. =20

Don't go to travel agents cum consultants or to former grocery store = owners. There
are many converts to the practice who have very little = experience or training and
you may be the practice case they are looking = for.

You should examine the backgrounds

What is their training How long have they been practicing Do they do only immigraiton
Do they belong to a professional organization

If you use a counsel that is based outside of Canada you should know = that they may
be seriously limited in what they can do for you. Such = people may not have access
to your files, or to other files necessary to = perform their duties properly.

Check out your counsel

Try www.opic.org or perhaps the bar society if they are lawyers to get = more
information.

--=20 Good luck,

Berto Volpentesta, B.A. (Spec. Hons.), B.Ed. Member, OPIC Director, OPIC and
Education Committee Chairman

Sidhu & Volpentesta Inc. Serving people around the world since 1991

www.svcanada.com

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Thank you so much for your kind answers. Your answers made me think I should talk with a lawyer at least once..
Can anyone recommend me a lawyer or a organization/firm in Ottawa? That will save me..

Thanks everyone..