Finding the perfect immigration lawyer is a necessity if you plan to shift to another country. While hiring an immigration lawyer is usually not necessary, it is best practice to have someone guide you through the application process, legalities, and paperwork. Many immigration lawyers also help with gathering the documentation and setting it in the prescribed format.
There are many immigration lawyers in the market. Some offer the first consultation free, while many charge a small fee for the time spent explaining the process. You should check for any hidden costs before you schedule a visit to a consultant or lawyer. Basically, the initial visit is meant for you to meet the lawyer, understand the process, pros and cons, and if you would like to work with the lawyer. When making a selection, you should always ensure you read the references posted online by other clients. However, we would recommend immigration solicitors in Manchester as being some of the most knowledgeable and experienced.
Immigration lawyers are a bank of information. Depending on where you want to migrate to, they can help you with specialized attention and care. When you schedule a meeting for the first time, you should see if your case is in the right hands and if you both are a good fit. To help you conclude, we have a few tried and tested questions that can make the decision easier.
Let us look at some questions you should ask your immigration lawyer.
How long have you been practising?
Most immigration lawyers are expected to have in-depth knowledge about all rules and regulations regarding immigration status adjustments, applications, and legalities. They should also know the legislation, changes in policies, and any other information regarding customer and border law.
The years of experience matter simply because it will make a massive difference if your lawyer needs to represent you in court. Most people prefer opting for immigration consultants. However, consultants cannot represent you in court or contest a motion passed if your case is denied for unjust reasons. Immigration lawyers need to successfully represent you and should have the experience necessary to understand your case.
Have you dealt with cases similar to mine?
As an applicant, you should understand that each case is unique. However, there can be a few similarities in immigration cases like gender, age, education, and years of work experience. If you have specific issues with your case or history (for example, deportation from another country), you should candidly address these concerns in your initial meeting with the immigration lawyer. If he/ she has not dealt with a case similar (not identical) to yours, you should finalize another one.
As an applicant, you should also remember that the final decision does not belong in the hands of your lawyer. It only lies with the visa case officer. You and your lawyer can do your best to truthfully provide all relevant information in your application. Even if the lawyer has dealt with a case similar to yours, there is no guarantee that the outcome will be the same.
What specifically will you do to help my case?
Most lawyers assist with any glitches in paperwork and documentation. They also provide you with samples of any letters, recommendations, and other written content that you may need. Some lawyers and associates procure the missing paperwork on your behalf and also submit everything in your application. They also oversee admin work on your case and take care of travel and other formalities.
It is best to ask what all services the immigration lawyer will provide before you finalize. Not knowing what to expect can be worse than not getting relevant answers to your queries. If you know what your lawyer will be doing on your behalf, you can easily take care of other concerns related to your immigration application.
What are the chances of success?
Depending on the level of experience the immigration lawyer has, he/ she should have a reasonably good inkling about your chances of success or failure. Your case’s realistic and truthful assessment will help your chances of fixing errors and finding solutions and alternatives. Any lawyer who gives you a percentage of your case cannot be wholly trusted because it is challenging to come up with this per cent.
Also, no immigration lawyer should ever ask you to falsify documents or lie on the application to make it look good. If the lawyer tells you that he has an insider who can do the job for a certain amount of money, you should run in the opposite direction!
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