Immigration Support Officer

Module 1 – Word

This course introduces the concepts, features, and practical applications of word processing software. Topics of study include the layout of text and documents and the creation and use of headings and tables. This course also focuses on the use of graphics, the integration of information into other programs, the management of basic styles and templates, working with columns, and merging documents, as well as the use of layout techniques, the use of graphs and diagrams, and the manipulation of objects.

Module 2 – Excel

This course presents the concepts, features, and practical applications of spreadsheet software. Topics of study include cell and document formatting and the creation and use of spreadsheets. This course also includes the creation and use of invoices, the creation and layout of tables, the use of graphs, the integration of information into other software, and the management of styles and basic templates. The course also covers the use of columns, the application of layout techniques, the use and manipulation of tables, graphs, and diagrams, and the management of basic templates.

Module 1 – Procedures in a Legal Environment

This course teaches students to adapt to employer expectations, develop professional attitudes suited to legal environments, and understand professionalism in Canadian immigration. Students learn to identify and adopt the values and qualities sought by employers, including ethical values and confidentiality. Students also learn practical skills such as proficiency in office and word processing software such as Adobe, cloud storage, the use of headers, and the creation of invoices and payment receipts.

Module 2 – Submission Writing

This course covers principles and elements necessary for producing quality submission letters, including legal citations, use of precedents, tone, and layout. Students learn when letters should accompany immigration applications and the standard elements required for various types of applications, such as temporary resident visas, family sponsorship, visitor visa extensions, and express entry applications.

Module 1 – Legal Research

This part offers an in-depth study of reliable resources for legal research in Canadian immigration law. Students learn to use statutory law, common law, and case law sources for developing immigration strategies and writing submissions. Sources include the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations, the IRCC Application Guides, IRCC manuals, operational bulletins, ATIP requests, and case law databases like CanLII and LexisNexis.

Module 2 – Professional Communication

This part is a comprehensive communication program to improve students’ writing skills and familiarize them with various forms of communication required for legal professionals. The course focuses on improving verbal and written skills using examples from legal settings.

Module 1 – Management of Client Files

This part introduces students to the fundamentals of physical and digital file management from start to finish. Students learn to master the criteria for opening a file, pay particular attention to the property of the client and representative, maintain the structured organization of the client file, and close the file when required. General data entry principles are studied alongside immigration-specific principles.

Module 2 – Conflict Resolution / Client Management

This part introduces students to the fundamentals of professional management and effective maintenance of client/service provider relationships throughout the immigration process. Students learn to interact with clients in various scenarios using different communication forms while maintaining professionalism, integrity, and conflict resolution standards.

Module 1 – Ethics I

This part teaches students the fundamentals of professional ethics and intellectual imperatives for applying the IRPA, IRPR, Citizenship Act, Citizenship Regulations, and all relevant Canadian immigration and citizenship policies.

Module 2 – Ethics II

This part teaches students the fundamental ethical principles governing immigration representatives through the ICCRC Code of Ethics. Students learn to identify and respond to non-ethical situations during immigration processes and advise clients on ethics.

Module 3 – Career Development

This part focuses on career development, providing students with knowledge, skills, and job search development, including written skills for cover letters, resumes, and thank-you letters. The course also provides practical interview experience, explaining best practices and common mistakes.

Module 1 – Immigration and Refugee Board

This part provides an overview of the IRB, its divisions, and types of hearings, including refugee claims, refugee appeals, admissibility hearings, immigration appeals, and detention reviews. Students learn the importance of timelines impacting these hearings.

Module 2 – PR: Family Sponsorship and H&C

This part studies permanent residence applications in Canada through family sponsorship by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Students learn requirements and procedures for sponsoring spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and other family members, as well as humanitarian and compassionate permanent residence applications.

Module 3 – Inadmissibility and Removal

Students learn to identify various grounds for inadmissibility to Canada, such as criminality, human rights violations, misrepresentation, medical inadmissibility, and others. Students understand enforcement measures and remedies available to foreign nationals and permanent residents, including removal and admissibility hearings, and measures to overturn inadmissibility, such as TRPs, rehabilitation, and CRAs.

Module 1 – Permanent Residency and Canadian Citizenship

This part familiarizes students with criteria for obtaining and maintaining permanent resident status, as well as legal exemptions for maintaining PR status for those not physically present in Canada. Students learn eligibility conditions for Canadian citizenship and situations for revocation of citizenship and PR status.

Module 2 – PR: Economic Class

Students examine various categories of economic immigration to Canada, including federal and provincial programs. Popular programs—Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class—are studied in depth. Students gain an overview of provincial and territorial programs, types of immigration, and procedures, including Quebec’s legal framework.

This course studies procedures for individuals seeking refugee or protected person status inside or outside Canada. The process is examined, including competent authorities, eligibility conditions, required documents, and deportation procedures. Relevant legislation is also studied.

This course helps students gain a comprehensive understanding of basic types of temporary residents, including students, workers, and visitors. Students examine the process for temporary residence applications inside and outside Canada, focusing on decision-making principles such as dual intent and implied status. The importance of expiration dates and types of documents indicating temporary resident status, including issuance procedures, is emphasized.

This course teaches future assistants to correctly complete all types of immigration and citizenship forms, both for applications inside and outside Canada. General data entry principles and immigration-specific principles are also studied.

This course provides observation and understanding of the Canadian legal corpus and fundamentals of Canadian immigration law. Students learn to identify various bodies, agencies, and courts governing immigration and recognize departments that receive immigration applications. Students also learn to identify different immigration pathways, relevant legal sources, and legal principles affecting immigration decisions, such as procedural fairness and discretionary power.

During the internship, students will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the immigration field.