Occupations in the immigration industry

Immigration Officer

Immigration Officers work within government to enforce immigration laws and regulations by reviewing applications to determine the eligibility of individuals to enter or remain in Canada. Within the federal government they are employed by the department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To become an Immigration Officer, a minimum of a high school diploma is required though many have post-secondary education. Compared to other occupations discussed in this article, this role may be considered the most administrative.

Border Services Officer

Alongside Immigration Officers working in government are Border Services Officers. Employed with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), they help protect the safety and security of Canada by patrolling various points of entry and borders. They enforce different laws and regulations related to immigration through various methods and procedures including screening travelers and conducting interviews. There are specialized units within the CBSA including canine and intelligence units. Compared to other occupations featured in the article, this role may be considered the most ‘hands on’ or provide the most opportunity for physical challenge.

Immigration Settlement Practitioner

Immigration Settlement Practitioners are specifically focused on helping newcomers adjust to life in their new country. They connect clients with community resources and their services can range from helping clients find housing, to assisting with citizenship applications. The educational requirements for Settlement Practitioners may vary depending on the employer but typically require an undergraduate degree, preferably in human services, with work or volunteer experience working with newcomers and/or diverse populations. A second language can be an asset.

Immigration Lawyer

Immigration Lawyers are licensed attorneys who provide a wide range of services related to immigration including, legal representation and assistance with immigration and work-related applications. To become an immigration lawyer a law degree and appropriate licensing are required. Manitoba applicants must complete prerequisites including writing the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and an undergraduate degree or a specified number of university credit hours.  After law school, graduates must complete one year of articling and pass the bar exam before they can practice as a licensed attorney. Lawyers interested in Immigration Law can work in many professional settings including private practice, legal aid, and non-profit organizations. The work of a lawyer is often considered to be both helping and analytical, as they advocate for clients and also need to understand and interpret the law.

Immigration Consultant

Immigration Consultants are professionals in the field of immigration who help their clients with the process of filing immigration related applications and documents. To become an Immigration and Citizenship Consultant (ICC) appropriate licensing and a graduate diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law is required. To be eligible for these programs, applicants must meet various admissions requirements including the completion of an undergraduate degree. After receiving their license, ICCs can work in various professional settings including law firms and non-profit organizations. The role of an ICC may be defined as both helping and administrative.

Did you know? Completing a graduate diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law is not only useful for those who want to become Immigration Consultants. The knowledge may be valuable to professionals working in Human Resources, Public Policy and Post-Secondary Institutions International Student Services.

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts  conduct research to identify emerging issues, develop policy and advocacy initiatives, and determine policy positions and solutions. If you are interested in analytical work, this might be a good role for you.  Immigration policy is one area of practice, alongside others like international relations and human rights. Policy analysts may work in a range of organizations including government departments, non-profit organizations, research institutes and think tanks.  To become a policy analyst the minimum requirement is an undergraduate degree, though a master’s degree is often preferred or required. For your undergraduate degree, consider studying in a discipline relevant to your area of interest (e.g. Criminology for crime analyst or justice-focused policy roles).  For those who want to work within the realm of immigration policy, consider programs in social sciences or humanities where you can learn about social systems, politics, culture and/or human geography. Courses in Economics and those where you can develop your writing skills (e.g. History) may also be useful.

Did you know?… The University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg host a joint Masters of Public Administration (MPA). The program includes cooperative education (Co-op) placements which can bridge to employment post-graduation. A four-year degree in any discipline is required to be considered for admission.