Licensed immigration consultant, working online
Guide individuals and families through Canadian immigration applications from a home office, meeting clients by video.
- C$8k-20k
- Part-time
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A solo practice where you advise clients on routes such as study permits, work permits, family sponsorship and permanent residence, and prepare and submit their applications. In Canada you must be properly authorized (for example a licensed immigration consultant, a lawyer or, in Quebec, a notary) to do this for a fee.
Your first three steps
- Check the licensing route with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants and the approved education programs, and decide if it fits you
- Work out which client group and languages you could serve, and look at what local consultants charge
- Price out professional liability insurance, case management software and a secure way to store client documents
Who pays
Students, workers, families and newcomers, often found through community groups, referrals and online searches.
How it makes money
Fixed fees per application or service stage, plus hourly consultation fees. Repeat work comes from family members and later-stage applications.
Skills that help
- Attention to detail with forms and documents
- Clear, patient communication
- Honesty and sound ethical judgement
- Comfort with government rules that change
Watch out for
- Giving immigration advice or representing clients for a fee without proper authorization is illegal, so confirm your status first
- Licensing involves study, exams, fees and ongoing professional development, so allow months before you can take paying clients
- Professional liability insurance and a client trust account may be required, so check with your regulator
- Privacy rules for client documents, and any provincial requirements, especially in Quebec
- Rules and processing times change often, and a mistake can seriously harm a client's application
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: licensed immigration consultant, working online
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an immigration consulting practice in Canada?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $20,000, depending on licensing, insurance and your home office setup. Licensing involves study, exams, fees and ongoing professional development, so allow months before taking paying clients.
How much can an immigration consultant earn working from home?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your caseload and fees. Rules and processing times change often, so check the current position before quoting clients.
Do I need a licence to give immigration advice in Canada?
Check your status first: giving immigration advice or representing clients for a fee without proper authorization is illegal. Also check with your regulator about professional liability insurance, a client trust account, and privacy rules, especially in Quebec.
Other ways to run this business
Similar business services ideas
Bottled water delivery route
Buy water from a supplier and deliver jugs and coolers to offices and homes on a regular schedule.
- C$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile abrasives supplier for local trades
Deliver sanding discs, grinding wheels and abrasives to body shops, fabricators and builders on a regular route.
- C$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Coffee vending machines: small side route
Place one to three used coffee machines in local workplaces and restock them around your day job.
- C$4k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Independent investment adviser with a dealer
Get licensed through a dealer and manage savings and investments for local clients from a small office.
- C$3k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Licensed financial adviser with a small office
Advise local clients on investments, savings and insurance as a registered adviser, with a small office for face-to-face meetings.
- C$5k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Printer and copier rental for small offices
Rent refurbished printers and copiers to local small businesses on monthly contracts, with delivery and basic servicing.
- C$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Photo: jackmac34 on Pixabay