Very few immigration offering countries, have a regulatory framework for immigration representatives’ regulation. In many instances, and when an immigration practice or company is contemplated, the question an investor must ask him/her self, is whether the scope of service offered is for formal representation or a coordination of the actual representation.
The difference between the two
Immigration Representatives
An immigration representative is someone who holds a formal title to represent applicants. When this immigration representative formally represents an applicant, they are often considered the counsels of record at the official immigration department. They an communicate with the immigration department directly.
Immigration representatives who are members in good standing of their relevant regulatory bodies, often operate and abide by a code of conduct. A code of conduct usually sets guidelines of ethical practice where grave mistakes, unscrupulous business practices are not seen. Generally, authorized representatives offer a tight and well governed professional service to their clients.
Immigration representatives can be Immigration Consultants, Lawyers or in some jurisdictions Paralegals.
Immigration Coordinators
A coordinator of an immigration application process is not an authorized representative. They are called coordinators because they assume the responsibility and the scope of organizing the actual formal representation that is done by an Authorized representative. They manage communications between the client and the authorized representative and handle documentation exchange but have no direct access to the relevant immigration authorities.
Immigration process coordinators can be companies, individuals and businessmen.
Coordination of an immigration practice is a very complex matter. High profile firms, who are decent in reputation and in practice, enforce robust standards on the third-party service providers with whom they contract to conclude the attributes of their clients’ applications.
Very few global practitioners have the resources, and the skill to enforce “Authorized Representative” standards on “Coordination practices”, whereby they enforce standards of excellence on third party service providers.
