17 Sep Immigration Lawyer in Cape Town: How to Choose
Are you looking for an immigration lawyer in Cape Town but don’t know how to choose? While many straightforward visa applications can be self-filed using the forms and guidelines provided by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the scope of immigration work is broad. The complexity of an application can quickly rise once compliance, evidence, or refusals start to enter the picture.
Complex cases tend to involve contested facts, missing documents, prior refusals, or novel legal questions. It is here that an immigration specialist can make all the difference by anticipating DHA concerns before they can arise.
Immigration Attorney vs Consultant
When it becomes necessary to seek out professional immigration assistance, it is important to understand the difference between an immigration lawyer and an immigration consultant. While both may help with the immigration process, their qualifications, professional regulations, and ability to deal with complex legal cases can differ significantly.
An immigration consultant will most typically assist applicants with the practical and administrative side of immigration. They will be able to assist with visa requirements, application submissions, and gathering the relevant documentation and forms. However, they are not permitted to provide actual legal advice or handle legal proceedings.
An immigration lawyer is an admitted legal practitioner who is qualified to provide legal advice and assist with complex legal immigration matters. This includes, but is not limited to, visa applications, refusals, appeals, waivers, unlawful decisions, and litigation against the DHA.
How to Choose an Immigration Lawyer in Cape Town
When deciding on an immigration lawyer, it is essential to first establish whether they are admitted and in good standing with the Legal Practice Council (LPC).
The LPC regulates attorney mandates, trust accounts, and fee conduct, ensuring that legal practitioners adhere to a certain standard of professional conduct and accountability.
Another important aspect to clarify is the fee structure. Practitioners may charge based on a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or a monthly retainer. Be sure to ask precisely which services are included and what is excluded, such as DHA statutory fees, VHF service fees, translation, and courier costs.
An immigration attorney who’s offering suspiciously low rates, is not registered with the LPC, does not offer a written mandate, or is unwilling to provide a fee breakdown could all be considered warning signs of a potential scam and are best avoided.
The main benefit of working with legal immigration specialists, such as June Luna Immigration Attorneys, essentially comes down to judgment.
Our expert lawyers will be able to assist you in identifying the permit that best suits your circumstances, gathering relevant evidence and documentation, as well as advising you on how to proceed if the DHA raises any queries.
CONTACT US today to book a consultation and let one of our experienced attorneys guide you through every step of your visa application.