5 Things to Know Before Hiring an Immigration Consultant in Surrey
Hiring a professional can save time, reduce risk and improve your chances of a successful immigration application — but not all advisors are the same. Before you sign an agreement, ask the right questions so you hire someone who is licensed, experienced, and a good fit for your case. The tips below are practical, Surrey-relevant, and designed to help you choose an advisor who understands both local realities and Canada-wide immigration rules.
1) Verify they’re licensed an RCIC or an authorized representative
Always confirm the consultant is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. RCICs are authorized to provide paid immigration advice and to represent you before IRCC; hiring an unlicensed adviser risks poor advice or even fraud. You can search the College’s public register to confirm status.
What to ask: request their College registration number and a copy of their business licence or professional card.
2) Ask for clear scope, deliverables and fees (get it in writing)
Professional firms provide a written service agreement that lists exactly what they will do (e.g., eligibility assessment, document checklist, application preparation, IRCC communication), timelines, and fee breakdowns. Avoid vague “we’ll help” offers — good consultants include milestones and deliverables so you know when each step is complete.
Red flag: any representative who guarantees approvals or asks you to hide documents.
3) Check experience with your specific stream and Surrey/BC nuances
Immigration pathways differ — Express Entry, BC PNP, LMIA-based work permits and family sponsorships each have unique rules. Ask how many cases the consultant has handled in your program, results for similar profiles, and experience with BC-specific streams (such as BC PNP) if you plan to apply via provincial routes. Provincial nominee programs have distinct rules and frequent changes — local knowledge can matter.
Tip: ask for anonymized success stories or references for Surrey / BC cases.
4) Understand realistic timelines and what affects processing times
IRCC processing times are not fixed guarantees, they’re historical estimates that vary by program and application completeness. Ask the consultant how they calculate expected timelines for your case, which documents commonly cause delays, and what their plan is for RFEs (Requests for Additional Documents). Accurate expectation-setting reduces stress and avoids surprises.
5) Communication, security and post-decision support
Good consultants give you a named case manager, use secure portals for documents, and explain what happens after a decision (landing steps, settlement support, appeals or reconsideration if refused). If you’re remote (outside Surrey), check that they provide secure video consultations and remote document handling. Ask how client data is stored and protected, privacy is essential.
Final practical step
If you want local in-person support plus Canada-wide experience, choose a consultant who blends both. At Liberty Immigration, our Surrey office handles in-person client needs while our consultants also support clients across Canada through secure remote consultations. If you’d like to talk to an experienced immigration consultant in Surrey, book an RCIC Consultation now
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