1. Why use a Certified Immigration Consultant? http://www.csic-scci.ca/content/whyhireccic

A certified consultant is your assurance of quality. Certified consultants are equipped with the latest information on immigration law, procedures and practices and go about their business according to a strict, enforceable Code of Conduct. To become certified, consultants must pass a rigorous application process, which requires evidence of good character, and tests knowledge and language skills. For added security and client protection, certified consultants are fully insured for errors and omissions and can be subject to complaints that are all duly investigated by the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC).

2. Who can represent you? http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/representative/rep-who.asp
The Government of Canada will not deal with non-authorized representatives who charge a fee for their service.
Immigration representatives are people who offer immigration advice or assistance to visa applicants. Some applicants may choose to consult a representative to act on their behalf with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the Immigration and Refugee Board or the Canada Border Services Agency. The only representatives who may charge a fee to represent or advise you on immigration and refugee matters with the Government of Canada are:
• lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society;
• Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC), and
• notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

3. Who is CSIC? http://www.csic-scci.ca/content/about
The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) is an independent, federally incorporated not-for-profit body operating at arm’s length from the federal government, the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) is responsible for regulating the activities of immigration consultants who are members and who provide immigration advice for a fee. In addition, the Society is responsible for ensuring the education and competency testing of its members.
The Society's mandate is to protect the consumers of immigration consulting services and ensure the competent and professional conduct of its members.

4. Why should I hire a consultant or a lawyer when Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) claims that you do not need to hire an Immigration representative?
You are certainly allowed to prepare your own application, but you may not have the necessary knowledge, skills and tools to do so. A certified consultant is your assurance of quality. Certified consultants are equipped with the latest information on immigration law, procedures and practices. Behind every application and forms is legislation and regulatory requirements that need to be properly interpreted in order to meet compliance.

5. Do I need a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada? http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/visit/visit-faq06.asp
It depends on which country you are from. See a list of countries and territories (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp) whose passport holders need a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada.

6. Where can I find an application form or guide?
Refer to the attached link to the CIC website. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/index.asp

7. How long will it take to process my application.
Processing times are available on the CIC website. Refer to the attached link. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/index.asp

8. Who can apply as a skilled worker?
Refer to the attached link with respect to the latest legislation in place for this classification. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/immigrate/skilled/index.asp