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Step-by-Step Guide to Working with an Immigration Consultant for the First Time

Every year, lakhs of Indians pack their bags and head abroad — for better jobs, higher education, family reunification, or a fresh start. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, there are currently 35.4 million NRIs and People of Indian Origin living outside India, and every year approximately 25 lakh (2.5 million) Indians emigrate overseas — making India the nation with the highest annual number of emigrants in the world.

Behind most of these journeys is a mountain of paperwork, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and visa rules that can overwhelm even the most organised person. That is why many Indians turn to a professional immigration consultant for help. But for first-timers, the process of finding, hiring, and working with one can be just as confusing as the immigration process itself.

This guide walks you through every step from verifying credentials to submitting your application so you can work with your immigration consultant confidently and safely.

What Does an Immigration Consultant Do?

An immigration consultant in India is a professional who helps you prepare and submit visa or immigration applications for countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, the UAE, and more. They assess your eligibility, identify the right visa pathway, help you compile documents, and guide you through the process step by step.

They are different from immigration lawyers. Lawyers can represent you in legal proceedings, while consultants focus on application preparation, documentation, and advisory services. For most standard visa and PR applications, a qualified consultant is sufficient.

Step 1: Verify Credentials. No Exceptions.

This is the single most important step and the one most first-timers skip.

Unlike destination countries such as Canada or Australia, India currently has no dedicated legal framework to regulate immigration consultancy services. There is no licensing procedure for setting up such consultancies, meaning virtually anyone can operate as an immigration consultant in India regardless of their qualifications or experience.

The consequences of hiring an unverified consultant can be devastating. Delhi Police arrested 203 people in immigration scams in 2024 alone, a 107% surge over the previous year, with 71 agents arrested specifically for creating forged visas. Real cases from across India tell the same story: one victim paid ₹50 lakh to an agent for multiple failed attempts to enter the US, suffering deportation and jail time.

So, how do you verify a legitimate consultant? The answer depends on your destination country:

● Canada: The consultant must be a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), licensed by the CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants). Verify their status at cicc-crcic.ca

● Australia: The consultant must be registered with MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority). Verify at mara.gov.au

● UK: Look for OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) registration at oisc.homeoffice.gov.uk

● India-side registration: Consultants operating in India must also be registered with the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE) under the Ministry of External Affairs for overseas employment, or with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) if operating as a registered company.

Before you pay a single rupee, ask for their registration number and verify it yourself on the official portal. A legitimate consultant will share this without hesitation. For a detailed, India-specific guide on this process, read our complete resource on how to check the authenticity of immigration consultants in India.

Red flags to watch out for:

● Guarantees of visa approval, no legitimate consultant can promise this

● Requests for cash-only payments or payments via informal UPI to personal numbers

● No written service agreement

● Pressure to sign or pay immediately

● No verifiable office address or online presence

Step 2: Prepare Before Your First Consultation

Once you have verified a consultant, book an initial consultation. Most reputable consultants in India charge between ₹1,500 and ₹5,000 for a first assessment session. This is where they evaluate your profile and recommend suitable visa pathways.

Come prepared. Have the following ready:

● Passport (current and old, if applicable)

● Educational marksheets, degrees, and transcripts

● Work experience letters, pay slips, and employment records

● Language test scores (IELTS, PTE, OET, DELF, etc., depending on destination)

● Any prior visa history, approvals, or rejections

Also, prepare questions. Ask the consultant how many cases like yours they have handled, what the realistic timeline and success rate are, what their total fee structure looks like, and how they communicate with clients throughout the process.

Step 3: Read the Retainer Agreement Carefully

If you decide to proceed, the consultant will present a service or retainer agreement, a legally binding document outlining what they will do, what you will pay, and what happens if things go wrong.

Do not sign anything vague. A proper agreement should clearly mention:

● The exact scope of services (document review, application filing, liaison with embassy or immigration authority)

● Total professional fees and payment schedule

● What is excluded (government fees, courier costs, language test fees)

● Refund and cancellation terms

● Timelines and communication commitments

In India, victims of fake consultants often discover too late that they signed blank or one-sided agreements. In one documented case from Chandigarh, a woman waited nearly two years after paying over ₹16 lakh to a consultancy that ultimately refused to refund her money or arrange the promised Canada visa. A detailed written agreement is your first and most important legal protection.

Step 4: Stay Actively Involved During the Process

Once you have signed and paid, the application work begins. Your consultant will handle the strategy, prepare forms, and guide document submission, but you are not a passive participant.

● Know your application. Understand which visa category you are applying under, what the eligibility criteria are, and what documents are required. Over-relying on your consultant without staying informed yourself is one of the most common mistakes first-time applicants make.

● Maintain a communication log. Save every email, WhatsApp message, and payment receipt. If your situation changes, such as a new job, marriage, travel, or change of address, inform your consultant immediately. Even minor updates can affect your application significantly.

● Meet every deadline. Your consultant will flag key dates, but the responsibility for timely submission ultimately rests with you. Missing a document deadline set by an embassy or immigration authority can result in rejection or delays of months.

Step 5: After Submission — Track and Stay Ready

Submitting your application is not the end. Depending on the country and visa type, processing can take weeks to several months. During this period:

● Track your application status through the official portal of the destination country (e.g., VFS Global, IRCC for Canada, ImmiAccount for Australia)

● Monitor your registered email carefully — embassies and immigration authorities send all correspondence here

● Respond to any additional document requests immediately and share them with your consultant right away

● Do not make international travel plans that conflict with biometric appointments or visa interview dates

If you receive a request for additional information, loop your consultant in without delay. How quickly you respond often determines how quickly your case moves forward.

Common Mistakes First-Time Indian Applicants Make

● Hiring without verifying — trusting a consultant based on Instagram ads, YouTube videos, or referrals alone, without checking their registration.

● Paying in cash with no receipt — a common trap that leaves you with no paper trail for legal recourse.


● Not reading the agreement — signing without understanding the refund policy or the scope of services.

● Believing "guaranteed visa" promises — no immigration authority in any country grants approval to consultants in advance; decisions are always made by the destination country's immigration officers, not agents.

● Going silent after paying — not following up, missing communication from the embassy, or failing to update the consultant when circumstances change.

Final Thoughts
Working with a professional immigration consultant for the first time does not have to be stressful, but it does require diligence. With over 18.5 million Indians already living abroad and that number growing every year, there is no shortage of consultants competing for your business. That makes it even more important to slow down, verify first, and choose someone who earns your trust through credentials and transparency, not just promises.


The right immigration consultant will not just file your paperwork; they will help you understand the process, set realistic expectations, and stand by you through every twist and turn. Your dream of living or working abroad is worth protecting. Start by choosing the right partner to help you get there.

Author: Raj Sharma is the Managing Director and a certified visa and immigration consultant at Abroad Gateway, bringing over 15 years of industry experience. He specialises in study, tourist/visitor, spouse, and PR visa consultations. Since 2010, he has successfully guided hundreds of clients towards achieving their international education and travel goals through personalised advice and in-depth expertise. For personalised immigration advice, reach him on Call or WhatsApp at +91 9780031919.

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