I've already posted a thread regarding using an attorney (I'm new to the Canada forum so please be patient!!).

I've had some amazing feedback and just wanted to outline the offer outlined by a very reputable attorney in the field of Immigration, Mr. Colin R Singer.

Let me know what you think. The figure could be huge, little etc. I'm very interested in using him myself as I've heard some positive things about him, even if the figure is high.

I haven't copied the whole email, just the part relating to fees and what that includes. As I've said I've heard some good things about Mr. Singer.

I'm curious to know what others think who have used attorneys to help them with the visa processing.

Let me know!
************************************************** ******
Should you wish to retain our services to represent your interests, our counsel fees would be established as follows:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FULL MONEY BACK REFUND PROGRAM
(Regular Payment Plan)

$1695 (United States Dollars) OR (Canadian Dollars)
Permanent residence application services
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our services include:

* Effective preparation of all application forms for yourself and your accompanying dependants (where applicable).

* Presentation of your qualifications through our detailed written submissions to maximize your chances for an interview waiver.

* Providing active and ongoing monitoring and tracking of your filed application and providing you with 24 hour access to the status of your application with our firm, using our e-Track software.

* Where an interview is required, providing written preparations/training overview for the selection interview to maximize the chances for approval.

* Providing written submissions and subsequent representations where required, to the appropriate federal and provincial licensing assessment authorities.

* During the application process should new selection rules come into force, we will forward on your behalf, additional submissions to the visa office to outline how you may qualify under the new selection rules, modified selection criteria or a change in the pass mark.

* Persons engaging our services will also receive our assistance under a best efforts' basis, to identify and locate employment prospects and introductions to potential hiring(s) in Canada through our independently owned entity Global Recruiters Network of Montreal (www.grnmontreal.com). We will actively work with your credentials with the hope of identifying a hiring employer in your occupation in Canada seeking your skills and experience. If we are successful, it may be possible for you to begin work in Canada even before the application for permanent residence is finalized.

* Persons engaging our services will also receive at no charge, a copy of our publication "A Simple Guide To A Darn Good Resume". This publication prepared by Colin R. Singer, Attorney and Certified Human Resources Professional, includes the following information:

o What is your resume
o Easy step-by-step directions to prepare an effective resume
o Chronological and functional resume samples
o Worksheets; the covering letter and samples
o Preparations before the employment interview (What to do and what not to do during the employment interview)
o 35 questions you may be asked during an employment interview
o 25 concerns of employers
o 250 descriptive verbs used in effective resumes

* Persons engaging our services will also receive access throughout the application process, to Attorney COLIN R. SINGER's extensive experience and insight to provide answers to the numerous questions that will likely arise regarding issues of immigration, settlement and employment in Canada.

Please also note that securing an approved offer of employment, or working in Canada, although not required, will significantly enhance your qualifications for permanent residence and, can enable you to relocate to Canada along with your family, under a temporary work and residence visa. In such instance your application for permanent residence will be processed in a much shorter period of time than would otherwise take place without an approved offer of employment or without working in Canada.

As we outlined in our previous communication, persons engaging our services for permanent residence will also receive our assistance under a best efforts’ basis, to identify and locate employment prospects and introductions to potential hiring(s) in Canada through our independently owned entity Global Recruiters Network of Montreal (www.grnmontreal.com). We will actively work with your credentials with the hope of identifying a hiring employer in your occupation in Canada seeking your skills and experience. If we are successful, it may be possible for you to begin working in Canada even before the application for permanent residence is finalized.

Applicants who receive an offer of employment, can engage our services to secure a labour market opinion followed by a work visa at our additional fixed counsel fees of CAD $2,500, payable in two equal installments.

Applicants who receive an approved offer of employment generally expect to receive a work visa within 1-2 months from submission of the completed application, where approval from the labour authorities (Labour Market Opinion) is not required.

Where approval from the labour authorities is required (Labour Market Opinion), applicants can expect to incur a processing delay of up to 4-months to receive an approval from the labour authorities.

We have used the Law Offices of Colin R Singer and have been very happy with their service and the outcome. The did 'exactly what it said on the tin!' so to speak.

We used them for arranging work and obtaining a twp and we're now using them to sort out pr - very effecient and no problems at all (so far!).

If you want anymore info etc - please feel free to pm or email.

If the OP had joined in July 2008 and only had a couple of posts I would say this was some very effective free advertising.

We paid a lawyer 1,500 pounds in 1998 to process your SW applications. They provided an efficient and effective service. They also offered to help with finding employment (for no extra fee) but as they were in the GTA this was of no interest to us.

I didn't begrudge paying the fee because they did what we paid for. However, in retrospect, we could easily have done it ourselves. The only thing they told us that I didn't know was how to get a Police certificate. Knowing what I know now, and with the resources available on this site, I wouldn't hesitate to save the cash and do it myself.

I was waiting for someone to think I was advertising!!

I'm still really confused but we're still keen to pursue things with a lawyer. The expense isn't ideal but we like the idea of a smooth run. However as mentioned with all the help this site is already proving to give maybe I would be better saving the money... and eating my way through Vancouver with it if we do get there!

I would be careful of any offer that included the words, "best efforts." I think you will find that, when the rubber meets the road, "best efforts" means very little.

And you do realize, don't you, that if Global Recruiters Network introduces you to an employer and you get the job, they will earn a commission from the employer? I don't know why Colin Singer implies that the introduction to Global Recruiters Network is part of the immigration service that he offers. Head hunters are a dime a dozen, and in several Canadian provinces it's illegal to charge an employee for introducing him/her to a potential employer. See Employment Agencies' Fees.

As to resume preparation, job interview coaching, etc., I wonder how much Colin Singer tells you that isn't already available for free in the BE Wiki.

It's interesting that he charges $1,695 for a permanent residence application and, if a temporary work permit application is required on top of that, another $2,500. That's called an up sell. It's a good marketing ploy, and I don't blame him for doing it. But you should be aware that you won't have to pay just $1,695 for a PR application. A PR application, on its own, usually is worth diddly-squat. Realistically, you also need a work permit application if you're going to get into Canada. So, in reality, you're almost certainly going to pay $4,195.

But, in all fairness to the guy, his fees are not the £8,000 (and similar numbers) that one sees being mentioned around here.
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