A migration agent is a person who holds a legal practicing certificate to assist in the process of visa application. A migration agent also provides legal advice on the process of immigration to immigrants. They also provide information and suggest the best visa for you. They will organize all the documents essential for obtaining a visa and supervise the entire process. They will appear before a court of law as your representative and will interact with the government on your behalf. The work of a migration agent is to make the process of attaining a visa easy for you.
Qualifications Of A Migration Agent
The conditions required to become a Registered Migration Officer are the following:
- You should be 18 years of age or above.
- You should have a national police certificate.
- You should be a permanent resident of your country.
- You should hold a legal practicing certificate that has been issued currently.
- You should fulfil the English language requirement to become a migration agent.
- You should possess professional indemnity insurance.
Who Cannot Become A Registered Migration Agent?
- If you have been denied registration within twelve months from the month of application.
- If you have been barred from registering as a migration agent for some cause.
- If your previous registration had been canceled within five years from the date of application.
- Your previous registration was suspended for some cause.
What Is The Difference Between A Registered Migration Agent And A Registered Migration Agent Lawyer?
- Both a registered migration agent and a registered migration agent lawyer can give advice on immigration issues, but their educational qualifications differ. While a migration lawyer must study for at least three years in a university, a registered migration agent must study for only six months to obtain a certificate.
- A migration agent just deals with matters related to the process of immigration, but a migration lawyer must keep himself updated with the ever-changing immigration laws of the country. They not only deal with immigration issues but the legislative system of the country also.
- A lawyer must do an internship under an experienced lawyer after completing their university degree, but a migration agent does not need any internship once they receive their registration certificate.
- A lawyer is proficient in legal matters. They can prepare perfect documents for their clients which will be presented in the court for the validation of a visa. A registered migration agent is not that skilled.
- A non-lawyer migration agent can only provide advice on immigration and visa, but they cannot give legal advice as they are not a lawyer. The process of immigration involves legality such as property law and family law which can be properly handled by only a lawyer.
- The clients of a lawyer have the added benefit of legal professional privilege. It is a protection that keeps the communication between a lawyer and client a secret. The clients of a non-lawyer migration agent are not entitled to this privilege.
Types Of Migration Advisers:
- A registered migration agent- a registered migration agent is registered to provide legal assistance on matters of immigration and visa.
- Lawyers not registered as a migration agent-these lawyers can provide advice on matters of immigration but cannot assist.
- Lawyers registered as migration agents-these lawyers can provide advice as well as assistance on matters of immigration. He can prepare your documents as well as present them in court.
Today’s article provides a vivid detail on migration agents and their difference from lawyers. You can go through the article to get an idea of migration agents and their work profile.
