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Immigration Practitioner
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $30.87 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $35.85 |
| Top | $39.73 |
In Canada, the role of an immigration consultant is to advise immigrants and help them navigate the immigration system. They ensure applicants meet the legal requirements of Canada’s immigration laws.
In general, immigration consultants oversee all aspects of the visa and immigration process. They:
Immigration consultants may need to help human resources personnel understand immigration rules.
Those who work for post-secondary schools as advisors offer guidance to international students. Their duties can include helping students apply for work permits or permanent residence.
Immigration consultants most often work in an office setting during standard weekday hours. Some travel and must work overtime on occasion.
Immigration consultants need:
Immigration consultants are often involved in lengthy processes. This carries a lot of responsibility. They should have an interest in locating and interviewing witnesses and applicants. They should be at ease representing clients before agencies. They should enjoy drafting briefs, pleadings, and other documents, and being socially engaged.
Employers require applicants to have an undergraduate degree, diploma, or equivalent practical experience. Applicants should also have a level of language proficiency in English or French. They must also be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or belong to a First Nation.
Immigration consultants must keep up with Canada’s immigration system and policies. These include the Refugee Act, Criminal Code, and immigration-related procedures and legislation. They need some clerical knowledge to prepare briefs, pleadings, and other documents.
Consultants who work with foreign workers need knowledge of and experience with related immigration programs. Examples include the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act [pdf] and Citizenship Act [pdf], an immigration consultant, in Canada or abroad, who provides Canadian immigration services for a fee must be a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). The accreditations offered through ICCRC include:
Annual education is required to keep registration up to date. Details on the registration requirements and exceptions are available on the ICCRC website.
Immigration consultants are self-employed or employed by established consulting firms or post-secondary schools. Those who are self-employed must market their services and maintain professional credibility.
Immigration consultants employed by consulting firms may become team leaders and senior consultants. With experience in a consulting firm, many immigration consultants set up their own firms. Even experienced practitioners who leave salaried positions to become consultants must often subcontract their services to established consultants before building their own client base.
Immigration consultants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4164: Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook (pdf) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the E034: Social Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.1% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $22.15 | $41.92 | $30.87 | $28.88 |
| Overall | $23.99 | $50.38 | $35.85 | $31.87 |
| Top | $26.92 | $55.19 | $39.73 | $37.55 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $81,780 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $66,952 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $56,505 |
| Educational Services | $54,583 |
Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants website: www.capic.ca
Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council website: www.iccrc-crcic.ca
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Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.