If navigating websites and completing forms isn't your favourite task, then applying to visit or stay in Canada can look like an overwhelming chore.

So, if you've chosen 'Our Home and Native Land', you may be looking for a professional to guide your journey and procure the proper documentation.

Immigration Consultants can assist you. A certified Immigration Consultant belongs to a professionally regulated body of experts, whose job is to support clients interested in coming to Canada and to navigate the process. Because of past situations, the College of Immigration Citizenship Consultants (CICC) now regulates the profession, which ensures consultants are competent and ethical.

Hiring a professional to explain the processes and paperwork can save you time and money.

So, what does an immigration consultant do?

I sat down with immigration expert Chitra Bhatia from Chitra & Associates Immigration Consultants Inc. to learn about the role of an immigration consultant for potential candidates to Canada. Bhatia is a CICC member and board chair of CAPIC – the Canadian Association for Professional Immigration Consultants. She also has experience helping clients with their immigration claims.

Bhatia is a passionate advocate for immigrants coming to Canada. Her love for the industry, her client's cases, and her expert knowledge are evident.

Bhatia explained that immigration consultants attend extensive training and are certified to understand the process and how immigration officials look at applications. Consultants are more than just certified experts because they can access other experts and work as a team to your benefit. It is part of the CAPIC ethics to always work in the client's best interest.

The Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) supports Immigration professionals in keeping professionals up to date on current regulations and Canadian Immigration policies.

When asked what immigration consultants do, the key points of Bhatia’s answer comprised much more than you might realize. I came away feeling that Immigration Consultants are invaluable.

Prescribe: Consultants prescribe cases appropriately and know what category your case fits into, so you won't have to guess.

Programs: As you prepare your documents, consultants know what qualifications you require and understand programs you may be eligible for, like the Express Entry Program for skilled workers programs or the HealthCare Permanent Residence Pathway.

Immigration Officials: Immigration Consultants have experience with immigration from the start to the completion of an application. They understand the documentation and qualifications immigration officials require.

Process: Immigration Consultants expertly navigate the immigration process to simplify your decision-making and reduce the time it takes.

Confidence: You'll feel more confident having a consultant on your side to manoeuvre more complex elements of your claim, like permits and applications, maintaining your status in Canada, updating permits, or applying for permanent residence. You can feel confident that your final application is appropriate, polished, and complete.

Procedure: Your consultant will elucidate complex procedural facts.

Review: Finally, once you complete your application, an expert consultant will review the details to ensure you meet all the points on the checklist and avoid mistakes.

When preparing to meet with an immigration consultant

Your time is valuable, and so is the time of your consultant.

When preparing to meet with an immigration consultant to discuss your case, you can save time by following any links they've sent you in advance.

Read the Immigration and citizenship pages from the Canada.ca website, so you know what you need to ask.

Most importantly, see this as teamwork. Immigration consultants are trained professionals whose passion is to guide your process.

Whether you're here for a visit, to study, or want to make Canada your permanent home, Immigration consultants are sworn to have your best interest in mind. You can feel confident because, returning to Bhatia, your immigration puzzles are her daily play.

Commonly Asked Questions to Immigration Consultants.

Have I completed all the points on the checklist?

What category fits my situation?

Which permit is right for me?

How can I extend a permit?

What is the correct documentation to support my claim?

How do I navigate the online application system?

(- Author, Rebecca H. Aikman) Chitra Bhatia is the CO-FOUNDER & SENIOR PARTNER OF CHITRA & ASSOCIATES IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS. She is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC); Member Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council; Member Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC); Member Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC – Canada); Board of Director, BC Chapter Chair, Vice-Chair – CAPIC with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Consultancy Management at the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani. Bhatia has over 20 years of global experience working in education, business, marketing, management consulting and immigration.

New College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants officially opens - Canada.ca https://college-ic.ca/?l=en-CA.

Forward Regulatory Plan: 2022-2024 Ministerial regulation made under the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act to establish a Code of Professional Conduct for immigration and citizenship consultants - Canada.ca