Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Last updated: October 21, 2022
If you want to learn more about how Umka Immigration Consulting works with its clients or have a question that you think may have been asked and answered before, you are in the right place! Here are the frequently asked questions.
What is Umka Immigration Consulting?
Umka Immigration Consulting is a sole proprietorship by Cenk Kemal Haznaci, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC). Umka Immigration Consulting offers 🇨🇦 Canadian immigration services. All immigration categories such as Economic Class, Family Class and Refugees are covered. You can get assessed for free, consult to get an in-depth analysis and guidance or retain me to fully represent you in a Canadian immigration application. Learn more about Cenk Kemal Haznaci here.
What services do you provide?
I provide consultation and representation services in various Canadian immigration applications, both temporary and permanent.
What is a free assessment?
When you fill out the assessment form, you learn where you stand on the type of Canadian immigration you are interested in. This is a general assessment to rule out any immediate disqualifiers. A positive assessment does not guarantee eligibility. Further assessment, in the form of a consultation, is required to reach a solid conclusion. Nevertheless, this initial assessment is free! Fill out the questionnaire now.
What is a consultation session?
Consultation (also known as Initial Consultation) is where we meet face to face—be it online or at the office in Dartmouth, NS. A consultation session lasts an hour unless you specifically book for two hours. It costs CA$200 per hour. During this session, I ask you further questions based on your answers to the free assessment questionnaire to determine your eligibility and the best route to take. And I answer any questions you may have. An initial consultation agreement is signed when the session ends. This agreement contains the general topics discussed at the meeting. Afterwards, within two business days, you receive an email from me detailing the highlights of our discussion and my recommendations. Book a consultation now.
What do you mean by representation?
After a consultation session, you may want to retain me to fully represent you in your application or come directly for full representation. Some people submit their applications on their own and a consultation is enough for them. Others may have very busy lives or may want to avoid pitfalls by working with a professional.
Once you decide to retain me, we will sit down, and I will explain you the retainer agreement, article by article. This is needed to ensure you understand the responsibilities of everyone involved, including yours.
As an RCIC, I am regulated by various regulations protecting your rights. If you are unhappy at any point, you may withdraw me as your counsel or file a complaint with CICC, my regulating body. You will receive a refund of fees that has not been earned by that time, if any.
Full representation is the best way to ensure that you submit a strong application. Contact me to request representation.
How much for a consultation session?
Consultation costs CA$200 per hour, plus tax if you are in Canada.
What payment methods do you accept?
Umka Immigration Consulting accepts the following methods of payment:
- Interac e-transfer
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Wire Transfer
- Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
- SWIFT
How long does the initial consultation session take?
The initial consultation session usually lasts an hour. But it might take longer in complex cases or when the client books a longer session.
I have more questions. Can I have another consultation session after the first one?
Yes and no. You can have an initial consultation session with an initial consultation agreement only once. CICC requires that regulated Canadian immigration consultants (RCICs) sign a Retainer Agreement with a client, if they are coming back with more questions. The new session may, of course, be held, but only after signing a Retainer Agreement.
I have seen other RCICs giving free consultation sessions. Why do you charge?
I charge because I value my time and yours. Free consultation sessions is a marketing strategy applied by some RCICs. At Umka Immigration Consulting, I charge for the initial consultation session.
However, if you decide to retain me for any service, the money you paid for the initial consultation session will be deducted from the representation fee. For example, if you paid CA$200 for an initial consultation session and then retained me as your representative in a Canadian immigration application that costs CA$1,000. You will pay CA$800 for retaining my services.
How can I trust you?
Regulated Canadian immigration consultants, in short, RCICs, are bound by many regulations imposed by our regulating body, The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). These regulations are publicly available and you can read them here. We are regularly audited to ensure we comply.
You can rest assured that every aspect of our relationship is well structured and monitored for the safety and peace of mind of both you and me.
Always work with RCICs and do not approach or deal with anyone—except for lawyers—whom you could not find in the database of CICC.
Immigration consultants are very expensive! Why?
When you retain an RCIC as your representative, they spend many hours trying to identify the right fit for you. They check all your documents and forms to ensure everything is good. They write convincing submission letters, citing immigration laws and regulations of Canada and Canadian case law. And they carry an invaluable theoretical training and practical experience to guide you towards the best path.
Do you offer payment plans?
Umka Immigration Consulting understands that representation fees, application fees and certified translation costs can quickly build up and be very frightening indeed.
At Umka Immigration Consulting, I charge at milestones such as creating of an Express Entry profile, at the receipt of an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and at the electronic submission (eAPR). For example, in a permanent resident application, you will never pay at the subsequent milestones if you never get an ITA. Hence, despite the initial sticker shock (usually CA$3,500), you might be just paying for Express Entry profile creation (usually CA$1,500).
Further installments can be discussed under exceptional circumstances.
My application was rejected. Can I get my money back?
As per CICC regulations that I am bound by, I cannot refund any earned money for which I have already provided a service.
When I receive a payment from you, the money goes to a trust account. The money stays there until I provide the service. Once I provide the service or complete a milestone, I transfer the corresponding portion of the money from the trust account into Umka Immigration Consulting’s chequing account. At that point, since the service was already provided, the money is earned and cannot be returned.
There are explicit articles surrounding this in the Retainer Agreement you would have signed. CICC strictly prohibits RCICs from agreeing to contingency billing.
With that said, if you want to discharge me as your representative at any point, you will be fully refunded for the services in the Retainer Agreement that I have not provided and you paid upfront.
What is a Retainer Agreement?
A Retainer Agreement is the mutual understanding between you and Umka Immigration Consulting detailing the services to be provided. The purpose of a Retainer Agreement is to set out the exact duties of the Member (RCIC) and the Client so that all parties to the Agreement have clear expectations regarding what will be provided, how the service will be provided, and at what cost.
What is an Initial Consultation Agreement?
An initial consultation agreement is a Client assessment and/or advice service agreement between an RCIC and his/her Client which provides a written record of the purpose, fee, and date of said advice, and which is signed by both parties.