Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Lawyer for a Canadian Spouse Visa Application

Avoid common mistakes when hiring an immigration lawyer for your spouse visa application in Canada. Learn how to verify credentials, avoid scams, and choose the right lawyer for your case. Also, discover common errors and tips in choosing the right spouse visa lawyer.

The application for a Canadian spouse visa is a delicate process. This means that it is important to get a knowledgeable immigration lawyer. This is a core requirement to succeed with the visa application. In regard to this, there are several areas of concern that an individual should avoid when seeking a lawyer for the above purposes. This article will address the common flaws that should be avoided. This is so that you do not make the wrong decision on a spouse visa application.

1. Falling for Unregistered or Fake Consultants

One of the most dangerous errors made when hiring a spouse visa lawyer happens to involve an unregistered or fake immigration consultant. There are people who masquerade as immigration consultants / lawyers without having any accreditation or working under proper regulations. To limit risks, request that the lawyer or consultant you work with be a member of the ICCRC. This stands for Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. They could also be members of the Canadian Bar Association. Use extreme caution when dealing with people with vague title. Such titles may include “migration consultant” or “immigration advisor”.

Many fake consultants promise success and disappear once payment is received, leaving applicants stranded. Due diligence should be done and large sums of money should never be paid before confirming it is genuine. Additionally, all such providers must present clear agreements with transparent conditions. This should include the services and fees of required works. Learn the mistakes to avoid in hiring a bad spouse or immigration visa lawyer in Canada by reading this article.

2. Choosing Based Solely on Cost

One more pitfall is the tendency to look for an immigration attorney just because they are the most affordable one. Yes, budget is very important. However, the cheapest option might not offer the best of services. This could complicate the status of your application including the chances of the application being rejected. In some instances, competition among consultants may drive the price down so cheap that the consultants are not actively watching changes in immigration policy. This can be vital in applying for the spouse visa.

Make sure you ask questions about the spouse sponsorship cases to the prospective lawyers for interview. Also, check how they have fared in those cases. Paying a larger amount of money should ensure you get sound advice which will prevent you from making such costly mistakes. Continue reading this article to know mistakes to avoid hiring a bad spouse or immigration visa lawyer in Canada

3. Failing to Research Lawyer’s Specialization

In fact, very few lawyers dealing in immigration practice focus on applications for spouse visas. A frequent mistake is engaging the services of an immigration lawyer to get a family sponsored visa without confirming that such a lawyer has adequate experience specializing in family sponsorships only. They are also expected to give information whether they are aware of statistics and trends concerning the successful issuance of spouse visa for Canadians.

A Spouse visa expert should be able to tell if a relationship is genuine or not. Also the should be able to gather necessary documentation to satisfy Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) standards.

4. Ignoring Client Reviews and Testimonials

One common mistake that people usually make is not paying attention to reviews and testimonials from clients. Gathering such information from clients is important in determining the trustworthiness and effectiveness of the lawyer. Client reviews are helpful in determining the way a particular lawyer conducts cases. As well as interacts with clients, and deals with any problems.

Before you decide, make sure to look at reliable sites, professional bulletin boards, and immigrants’ forums for nonpartisan opinions. Positive assessments of lawyers fit well within the expectation of success in the delivery of the legal services rendered. For the mistakes to avoid by hiring a bad spouse or immigration visa lawyer in Canada, read this article.

5. Delaying the Hiring Process

Delaying the process of engaging an attorney is one of the criminal blunders that one can commit. Most especially in processes that have timelines like the visa processes. Spouse visa requirements have a timeline. If that timeline is lost due to some reasons, some chances and deadlines on document submission are permanently lost. Many applicants tend to leave the hiring of a lawyer until the last minute. When you do this, it might lead to filing application forms in haste. Thus, leaving the processes prone to mistakes that would have been easy to ignore. It is advisable that a skilled attorney be retained in advance of the targeted date for filling out the forms to allow for proper gathering of relevant information. Read further in this article to discover common errors and tips in choosing spouse visa lawyer.

6. Not Asking About Case Strategy

Some individuals will seek to retain a lawyer prior to discussing the issue of how the case will be tried. This is a controversial issue. Because, you need to hire a lawyer who has already developed a strategy on how to approach your application. There isn’t a single, accepted method. Each situation is different and so are the approaches, whether inland or not. There should be a clear explanation of the procedure. Also, what it entails, and what difficulties might be encountered and how they plan to address them.

A lawyer who avoids discussing these details may not be thorough, which could jeopardize your case. Also, read this article to learn mistakes to avoid by hiring a bad spouse or immigration visa lawyer in Canada.

7. Not Considering Language Barriers

If you or your spouse is not proficient in English or French, then hiring a lawyer proficient in these languages is a must. All submissions should be done in one of the two official languages of Canada, and translation, if any, should be professionally done and certified. Miscommunication or misinterpretation may cause applications to be rejected or to take longer than usual.

Inquire whether your lawyer has access to certified translation services or can recommend such services if necessary. Also, continue reading this article to discover common errors and tips in choosing spouse visa lawyer.

8. Misinterpreting Advice as Guaranteed Success

No lawyer can ever assure you that your spouse visa application will be approved. Be cautious of the consultant or a lawyer who assures such 100 % approval processes. Visa approval has a number of factors associated with it. This could include the nature of the relationship, how truthful your application is, and also the IRCC discretion.

Good lawyers can make a great difference in the chances of success in a case. However, they must be upfront about the risks that come with the case and the complications involved. Immigration attorneys who make unrealistic claims about their chances of success and glamorize the acquisition of a visa are probably not working for your benefit. Furthermore, read this article to learn common errors and tips in choosing spouse visa lawyer in Canada.

9. Not Clarifying the Scope of Services

One more mistake that people do while hiring a lawyer is not being clear on the packages offered. Is document collection, translation services, and application submission included or do those costs include additional charges? Another issue you should also confirm is who will be performing the tasks such as communication with the IRCC, the lawyers or you.

When you provide an outline of the services to be rendered, there are fewer chances of confusion arising, and better still, you get the assistance required every step of the way during the application.

10. Overlooking Post-Submission Support

Many applicants forget about after submitting the application. You should continue offering support to your lawyer and do some basic things. This may include monitor the application, reply to the IRCC and assist in drafting other needed documents. Such practice is accepted by some lawyers who will wait until the application is filed only for the clients to make follow-up requests on their own.

Make sure that the lawyer you employ does not stop helping you until the time your application is granted. This is so that you do not end up experiencing complaints that are not pleasant.

Conclusion

Choosing the right immigration lawyer for your spouse visa application is very important. This is because you will avoid making mistakes that will cost you money. Engage with a lawyer that is fully qualified and experienced for the task. Furthermore, check his or her reviews and appreciate the services provided. When you know these simple mistakes, you can guarantee yourself a more convenient and successful process of applying for a visa.

If you don’t know how to proceed, try to find out about several lawyers’ consultations first before making a choice. Engaging the services of a competent and qualified lawyer is a step towards the success of your spouse visa application.