An immigration consultant is a certified professional who guides people seeking to enter a foreign country to ensure they are not denied the entrepreneurial or educational opportunities they are after.
While they typically work for the government, they can also work for private immigration agencies or law firms. Different states have different requirements for people who want to become immigration consultants, and the following are the requirements in California.
Take an immigration certification course
This course helps ascertain that you know what goes into the immigration process and how to help clients around the process. It also helps gauge your language understanding and fluency to ensure you can properly communicate with your clients.
There are different courses, but you should ensure the one you take is certified by an authorized body.
Pass a background check
The Secretary of State conducts a background check that every applicant must pass, which involves submitting fingerprints.
Get a California immigration consultant bond
California requires applicants to take a $100,000 California immigration consultant bond for two years. It protects clients against misleading or false statements, unnecessary changes, and unwritten guarantees not based on facts.
To apply for the bond, you must submit your name, the county you will work in, and your company name, if applicable.
Submit a completed immigration consultant disclosure form
You must fill in your name, date of birth, business and residence address, business and residence phone number, and the state, city, and zip code of operation.
Have a copy of a current and valid photo identification
Acceptable photo identifications include a driver’s license or identification card from California, a passport by the Department of State of the US, identification card or driver’s license from another state.
Latin American Immigration Association is one of the leading immigration consultant training centers in North America. Visit them to view their processes and book an immigration certification course.