Should you be an immigration consultant or an immigration lawyer?

Clearly, the US immigration consultant industry is a very profitable one at this point in time and, most importantly, it offers plenty of space for newcomers to make a name for themselves. With more than 50 million people from all over the world visiting the States and more than 1 million settling there each year, you can easily start your own consultancy office regardless of the country you live in. The only question that remains is whether you should become a US immigration consultant or lawyer. Here are a few possible arguments to help you with your decision…

The difference in investment

Especially if you plan to start up your own business, but even if you want to build a successful career, you should always consider the initial investment required by a plan, as well as the outcome, in order to justify its implementation or, on the contrary, to decide against it.

To become an immigration lawyer, you would have to become a lawyer in the first place. This means, at least in the USA, that you have to undergo 4 years of studies earning a BA with very high scores, after which you will be allowed to apply to Law School. Here, you will spend at least another 4 years learning one of the most difficult professions available, which is considered by many to be a titanic work. If and when you manage to graduate from Law School, you should be prepared to spend at least one more year becoming specialized in US immigration Law. Finally, don’t forget that in order to establish a legitimate practice as a lawyer, you have to pass the State Bar Exam in almost all of the States.

This trajectory is very different for immigration consultants. If, in order to become an immigration lawyer, you have to plan for at least 8 years of studies and exorbitant, sometimes unaffordable tuition fees, to become an immigration consultant all you have to do is to graduate from a specialized immigration consultant program. You do not need a diploma from a higher education institution and the program itself only lasts for a few months. In this time, you learn everything practical there is to know about US immigration and how to help your clients through the process, avoiding all the unnecessary training of an attorney. Needless to say that the tuition fees are considerably more accessible as well.

What this means

If you will look up the average payment for an immigration consultant and an immigration attorney, you will notice that the difference is not a major one. On top of this, you can always establish your own practice as a US immigration consultant with your own very rewarding fees, which in the long run can help you earn much more than a lawyer. Just think of all the time and funds you will save on your initial investment, making the immigration consultant career an almost risk-free choice. You can practice part time and you can expand your business step by step, ensuring a safe and steady road to success and a comfortable life. Better yet, now you can even study to become an immigration consultant online!