Will any immigration lawyer be an appropriate choice? Do you think that the initial Google result the right one? In this article, it’s not. There’s more that you must think about. Picking your immigration lawyer with care could be more crucial than you think, especially if you want to avoid legal trouble and denial of applications. This is why we offer seven tips that will assist you to make the right choice. Let’s begin!
1. Free consultation, yes or no?
Undoubtedly, it is it is among the important points to consider.
If you begin looking for the proper information to relocate to a different country, things may get quite confusing. Too many laws, too lots of visas… what’s the best option for me?
That’s why a first initial consultation is an absolute necessity to learn how Spanish immigration law function and what options do you have for settling in Spain together with family. It will help you understand the law.
Thus, many lawyers offer the first consultation completely for no cost. And that sounds really good! Answering all your questions at cost 0.
But… is it really true? Perhaps it’s not as perfect as it appears.
In the vast majority of situations the free consultation method is a strategy for marketing to attract customers.
The company offers a free consultation in order to reach as many people in the possible. What we tend to overlook is that it’s not set against good customer service.
If you’re looking for a 10 minute meeting with a lawyer who will only give you generic responses… Do it. Pick the lawyer who offers the free consultation.
However, if what seek is to find out what alternatives you have based on your situation or situation or what are the detailed steps for getting your residence permit; then paying for a consultation isn’t a problem.
Why? We feel that the cost of the service is in proportion to the quality of the service we provide.
If we need to wait for 2 hours before the client knows exactly how to fix the issue, we’ll spend them.
When it comes to immigration, each person has a distinct world.
And that requires reviewing thoroughly the legal provisions contained in each of the relevant provisions of the law in order to find concrete answers.
A consultation needs preparation and time. This isn’t something you can get in a an appointment for free.
2. Knowledge areas
A crucial step you should make prior to the plunge and hiring an immigration law firm is to determine whether they are solely focused on immigration, or if they offer services in other areas of the Spanish law.
Why is this important?
In most cases you’ll require much more than just a visa.
Perhaps you are looking to set up the foundation of your business. Maybe you’d like to understand your tax situation as a foreigner in Spain and determine the taxes you’ll be required to pay once you have settled in the country (which you can find here, in case you’re interested).
In contrast, there are permits such as the golden visa, which require the purchase of a house. It is undeniable that an immigration attorney will assist you get the residency as well as helping you deal with all aspects of the property purchase it will make you more secured.
Thus, having the experience of a company that provides the complete solution, covering every legal requirement you’ll encounter as a foreigner living in Spain is vital.
After all, dealing with hundreds of application procedures an immigration lawyer has perfected the procedure.
It is a good idea to avoid an office that is solely focused on immigration will not provide significant advantages when it comes to specialization.
A legal firm that can assist you with all your legal issues is a huge benefit.
In order to be sure that every eventuality is covered (being taxes and business expenses, real estate, etc. ) Find an office that goes beyond the limited scope of immigration.
3. Verify that they usually help people from the same country.
It’s the case that residence permits for non-European citizens are the identical for all. It is also the case that the conditions to get each one are determined by immigration laws in general , and do not depend on the person applying for them.
But, it’s also likely that there will be certain discrepancies regarding the requirements that are required by every Spanish consulate.
Consider the example of the non-lucrative residency visa.
The law in general states the requirement to show proof of having EUR 26,000 (at least in a bank account). If you try to apply for this visa at the Spanish consulate in Moscow and are unable to prove the amount the application will be denied.
Why? because in this particular case they demand a payment that is greater than EUR 35,000.
It is therefore important (in large part) of choosing a law firm which has previously worked with individuals from your same nationality.
After having worked with the consulate of your home country and having worked with them, they know what requirements apply to your particular case and the way you and your family members must go about obtaining your visa successfully.
Another example in which getting an answer generically, even though less expensive, may become costly.
4. Find out the reputation of the company (read reviews)
In the past, the only way we had to confirm if a particular company was trustworthy or not was to ask our friends and acquaintances to share their experience with the company.
However, this did have its issues. First of all there was a chance that one would not meet someone who had had contact with this particular company. Perhaps, a particular instance was not enough to draw any conclusions.
But it is no longer a problem.
There are many online platforms which provide opinions of former clients for example, Google reviews, Yelp or any other similar websites.
It’s the most effective way to get the opinion of others like you, people who have already experienced how customers are treated at that particular office.
The number of favorable reviews could be an indicator that you are choosing the best team.
We would also suggest not using a every review as a primary source. It is far better to read every one of them.
Obviously, all companies will have unhappy customers.
It is for this reason that allowing yourself be influenced by a single negative review is also not the best idea.
For the best immigration lawyer Madrid contact us today…
5. Administrative agent or lawyer, which one is better?
Another frequent question concerns whether it’s better to employ one of the administrative agents (called “gestor” to Spain) or a lawyer to oversee the process of applying.
While an administrative agent may process your visa application in the same manner as an attorney, it might not be the ideal choice.
Why?
The former’s role is over when the application is sent in the direction of the Spanish consulate in the country of origin or relevant immigration office.
The issue arises when that an application is denied. A scenario that is likely to happen many times.
That’s when having chosen an immigration attorney was the correct choice. An immigration attorney can initiate an appeal or court process in order to seek approval of your visa.
Simply put, an administrative agent cannot represent you in court. But a lawyer can.
6. Talk to friends and other expats.
No doubt, the people who will give you more true and real opinion about the service offered by a particular business are the people closest to you.
It is also possible that a family member or friend member has already relocated to the country where you want to settle. This creates a great opportunity to inquire about references prior to selecting a lawyer.
It will undoubtedly be the most unbiased opinion you can find.
Another good recommendation is to seek for sources of expat-related forums online.
Nowadays, there are a myriad of expat communities on Facebook founded with the sole aim of supporting others when moving abroad.
This is the ideal location where you can ask for suggestions or even opinions.
And not only to choose lawyers, these communities can also aid you in selecting the right bank, home to purchase or where to join for entertainment activities. Apart from being the best place to meet new people!
7. Use the price as guidance and ask yourself: is it a good indicator?
It is possible to go with the cheapest cost.
Who wants to pay for more?
As with many other aspects of life, you will get what you have to pay for.
Today, there are a plethora of immigration lawyers who offer their services for a lower price than their competitors.
This allows them to gain more customers. But it’s also the case that the larger the number of customers they’ve got, the less attention they can pay to each of them.
But there is another point that may be more crucial, that price could indicate.
The same way an expensive vehicle provides more durability and quality than a less expensive one, in the case of immigration, it’s the same.
Professionalism comes with a cost. When it comes to changing countries and addressing the legal issues this brings and entails, don’t take chances.
Perhaps it is one of the most important aspects of your new living as an ex-pat, making sure you are ensuring the minimum quality and ensuring that you’ve made the best decision is essential. Therefore, a price that is high is a great indicator that you are in good and safe hands.
If you have any other questions or want to know how our team of lawyers can assist you, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We’ll charge for an initial consultation, however we’ll provide you with top-quality service and attention to detail that is completely personal.