Upon completion of the Immigration Legal Assistant Diploma program, graduates can pursue advanced roles within legal departments, immigration law firms, immigration consultant firms or consulting agencies.
Course Descriptions
ILAD 01 – Overview – 30 hours:
Working in a Legal Environment: This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the role of an Immigration Legal Assistant within various legal environments. Gain insights into professional conduct, codes of ethics, and the dynamics of legal office operations. Understand your responsibilities, communication expectations, and the foundational skills required to excel in legal settings.
ILAD 02 – Legal Accounting – 30 hours:
Delve into the world of legal accounting with this course. You’ll develop a strong understanding of accounting principles specific to the legal field. Master legal terminology associated with accounting, learn to create essential accounting documents, and gain practical skills to manage financial transactions within legal settings.
ILAD 03 – Legal Research and Informatics – 30 hours:
Acquire invaluable research skills essential for immigration law support. Learn how to access relevant legal information and navigate legal databases effectively. Develop the ability to generate well-structured submission letters and make requests for vital information, a crucial skill set in the legal landscape.
ILAD 04 – Communications for Legal Professionals – 30 hours:
This course focuses on enhancing your communication skills within a legal context. Explore various forms of legal correspondence and documentation, from emails to official letters. Dive into the nuances of grammar, spelling, and legal writing style, understanding their impact on communication tone and professionalism.
ILAD 05 – Immigration Fundamentals and Admissibility – 30 hours:
Get a solid grounding in the foundational concepts of immigration, refugee, and citizenship law. Discover the intricacies of admissibility criteria and requirements. Through practical examples, understand how the legal framework applies to different situations, setting the stage for more advanced immigration topics.
ILAD 06 – Temporary Immigration Programs – 30 hours:
Navigate the complexities of temporary immigration programs. Learn to complete and submit various types of temporary applications, including those for visitor visas, study permits, and work permits. Familiarize yourself with online portals, email submissions, and paper-based application processes, ensuring accuracy and adherence to legal requirements.
ILAD 07 – Permanent Residence Programs – 40 hours:
Gain comprehensive insights into the three primary classes of entry for permanent residency: economic, family, and humanitarian & compassionate. Examine the distinctive requirements, rights, and obligations of each class. Understand the processes involved in securing permanent residency status for individuals and families.
ILAD 08 – Refugees and the Immigration and Refugee Board – 40 hours:
Explore the critical areas of refugee and protected person protection, including international conventions and government assistance programs. Gain insights into the role of the Immigration and Refugee Board and its significance in refugee matters. Understand the processes involved in providing refuge to those in need.
ILAD 09 – Enforcement and Appeals – 30 hours:
Delve into the legal procedures related to enforcement and appeals within the immigration context. Study inadmissibility reports, arrests, detention, admissibility hearings, and removal orders. Gain a deep understanding of the immigration appeal process and the roles played by various parties.
ILAD 10 – Citizenship and Legal Professionals – Ethics and Regulatory Processes – 30 hours:
Explore the process of acquiring Canadian citizenship, including the Citizenship Act and Citizenship Commission. Study the ethics and regulatory aspects of citizenship-related services. Learn about restoring, renouncing, revoking, and resuming citizenship, as well as the related documents and fees.
ILAD 11 – Practicum – 40 hours:
In this hands-on segment, spend 40 hours in a legal environment, putting your learned skills into practice. Gain real-world experience under the guidance of experienced professionals. Apply your knowledge to actual cases, documents, and legal processes, preparing you for a successful transition into the legal workforce.
Admission Requirements
Please note: Ashton College uses a rolling admissions process for our career programs.
This means there is no fixed application deadline—applications are reviewed as they are received, and students are admitted on an ongoing basis until programs are full. We encourage you to apply early, as spots may fill quickly.
General Admission Requirements for Domestic Students
Domestic students need ONE of the following:
- Canadian Passport
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence
- Legal documentation from IRCC
And you must prove the following:
- You have successfully completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
English Language Proficiency Requirements for Domestic Students
Are you a domestic student?
You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:
- Completion of BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Literary Studies 12 with a minimum grade of C+ (or equivalents); or
- Completion of three or more consecutive years of secondary education or two or more consecutive years of post-secondary education at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English; or
- Achieve the competency standard of a Test of English Language Proficiency as set out in Section 5.4 below. Scores for standardized English language tests are only valid for a 24-month period from the date of testing.
English is presumed to be the language of instruction in the following countries:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierre Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): minimum score of 58 or C
- The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): minimum score of 55
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): General 6
- Duolingo: minimum score of 110 (temporary due to COVID)
- International English Language Testing (IELTS): academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test: academic level with a minimum score of 79-80 and a minimum of 19-20 on each band
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test: minimum score of 550 and a minimum of 23 each for reading, writing, and listening
General Admission Requirements for International Students
International students need:
- A valid passport from their country of citizenship and a valid study permit
And you must prove the following:
- You have successfully completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students
Are you an international student?
You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:
- Completion of BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Literary Studies 12 with a minimum grade of C+ (or equivalents); or
- Completion of three or more consecutive years of secondary education or two or more consecutive years of post-secondary education at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English; or
- Achieve the competency standard of a Test of English Language Proficiency as set out in Section 5.4 below. Scores for standardized English language tests are only valid for a 24-month period from the date of testing.
English is presumed to be the language of instruction in the following countries:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierre Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): minimum score of 58 or C
- The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): minimum score of 55
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): General 6
- Duolingo: minimum score of 110 (temporary due to COVID)
- International English Language Testing (IELTS): academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test: academic level with a minimum score of 79-80 and a minimum of 19-20 on each band
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test: minimum score of 550 and a minimum of 23 each for reading, writing, and listening
General Admission Requirements for Mature Students
Do you identify as a mature student?
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are at least 19 years of age at the start of their program
- You have not completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
Application Requirements
Mature Students must submit ALL of the following:
- At least one letter of reference from a person who is not related to you
- A statement of intent clearly outlining your career goals and your reasons for believing you will succeed in the program
- A personal profile of 250 words or less
Additional Requirements
You must meet all of the program-specific and non-academic requirements where listed. In some cases, you may need to complete a placement exam to determine academic readiness.
Fees
Tuition fees for the program may be paid in instalments. Instalments can be reviewed here. A $300 tuition fee deposit is required upon admission for self-funding students and those without proof of funding. The tuition fee deposited will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account. Students with guaranteed funding arrangements will be exempt from paying a tuition fee deposit upon admission if they submit proof of funding before the program start date.
The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and bank financing. However, students are responsible for making their own funding arrangements and are advised to contact the relevant funder well in advance of the start date to make an application.
Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
- Application fee: $40
- Tuition fee: $5,850
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of required textbooks. The approximate textbook fees are $550.
Ashton College does not sell textbooks directly. Students are required to purchase their textbooks through third-party vendors.
Financial Assistance
At Ashton College, we are committed to making quality education accessible to everyone. We offer various education loans, grants, and other financial options to help fund your education.
Government loans and grants are available for eligible full-time and part-time online programs. Additionally, private financial institutions like banks provide financial assistance specifically for students.
For more details, visit our Financial Assistance page
Technical Requirements
Technical Requirements:
Computer System:Â Fully functional computer with webcam, speakers, and microphone (headset recommended).
Internet Connection:Â Reliable high-speed internet connection.
Device: While accessible on smartphones and tablets, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for a better learning experience.
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the British Columbia Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
