How to Become a California Immigration Consultant (2023)

Want to become a California immigration consultant? You have to undergo an administrative procedure prior to launching your operations and providing advice on immigration matters.

You have to register with the California Secretary of State and meet its qualification requirements. This is how state authorities ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the job. 

In the following sections, you can get to know the criteria that you have to fulfill to launch your immigration consultant services in the state.

Meet the California Immigration Consultant Qualification Requirements

The California Secretary of State regulates the activities of immigration consultants. Its requirements for supporting documents are detailed below.

Disclosure Documents

All applicants have to complete the Immigration Consultant Disclosure form. 

It contains the following information:

• Name and contact information of the applicant
• Disclosure of convictions
• Agent for service of process of the applicant (if applicable)
• Employer information (if applicable)

You also have to provide a copy of a valid and current photo identification. 

Your application can be rejected in case you:

• Have a conviction of a felony or of  a disqualifying misdemeanor
• Fail to disclose any arrest or conviction

Provide a Surety Bond

In order to register as a California immigration consultant, you have to post a surety bond. It works as a security mechanism that safeguards the interests of your customers.

The California immigration consultant bond amount that you have to obtain is $10,000. You have to provide it in the official form. 

The bonding process entails that you pay a small fraction of it, called the premium. The cost that you have to cover is formulated on the basis of your personal and business finances. The factors that affect it include your credit score, company financials, as well as any fixed or liquid assets that you can demonstrate. The stronger they are, the lower the premium can be. 

If your finances are stable, you can expect rates in the range of 0.75% to 5%. 

Want to see the exact cost of your immigration consultant bond? Fill in the short form below! 

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Background Check

You have to undergo a background check for your registration. This entails submitting fingerprints. There is a $51.00 fingerprint processing fee.  

Complete the Application

When you’ve obtained all the documents, you have to file them with the Secretary of State’s Office. 

This can be done online via its website or by mailing the paperwork to:

Secretary of State, Special Filings Unit

P.O. Box 942870

Sacramento, CA 94277-2870

You have to renew the bond before its expiration date if you wish to continue your operations as an immigration consultant beyond the term of your registration. If you fail to do so, you are not allowed to operate in this capacity. You have to prove you meet the qualification requirements from scratch. This means you have to submit a new surety bond and disclosure statement and to pass a background check.

License and Registration Fees

You have to pay a $30 filing fee at the time of submitting your documents.

Need more information about the California immigration consultant bond requirement? You can reach us at 877.514.5146.