Consular Services Advisor (Fixed-Term Contract)

Have you been working at a consulate handling visas and passports?  Or maybe processing visas for multiple countries at an immigration or global mobility firm?  Or are you a recent graduate with excellent academics who is interested in consular services work?

If you are ready to experience working at at  a premier global corporate immigration law firm, Berry Appleman & Leiden is seeking candidates with consular services experience in global corporate immigration for a 6-12 month fixed-term contract in our London office.

Please note:
1. This is a 6-12 month fixed-term contract position, and requires prior consular services experience.
1. This position is located in the UK, at the BAL London office.
2. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the UK, as BAL will not be providing sponsorship for this position.



OVERVIEW: The Consular Services Advisor reports directly to the Regional Consular Services Manager in the respective region and works as an integral member of the Consular Services team assisting with document services and consular services for all clients in the designated region.

This position works as part of a regional team that supports all of the firm’s clients in handling basic consular filing projects including but not limited to document acquisitions, document authentication (legalization/Apostille), business and visitor visa filings, entry visa filings (when based on an in principal approval), passport-related filings (renewal/pages/2nd booklets), renunciations by:

• Assembling and submitting visa applications to foreign consulates in region.
• Preparing documents and applications for legalization or apostille.
• Prepare applications to acquire birth certificates, passports, and other documents.
• Prepare passport-related filings.
• Flag potential compliance, SLA, or other issues.
• Follow-up on submitted applications.
• Calendar filings and retrievals for supporting purposes.
• Negotiate and liaise with consular posts and third parties (when necessary).
• Obtain real-time document requirement information from various consular posts and third party agencies.
• Communicate with clients/stakeholders in the processing of visa applications.
• Greet and coordinate with couriers and other visitors within the office.
• Maintain the firm’s internal database system with real time case status information and ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.
• Work with local account managers and regional offices to seamlessly serve the firm’s clients in a oneBAL manner.
• May be required to make regular trips to various Consulates, client sites, and travel agencies, as needed. QUALIFICATIONS:

Skills and Abilities:
• Superb organizational skills
• Ability to follow instructions and take action independently
• Ability to manage cases and work within strict timelines
• Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to proofread and edit one’s own work product
• Good general computer knowledge and typing skills, including word-processing, email, and forms software
• Excellent client customer service and interpersonal skills
• Professional, respectful attitude towards all coworkers
• Ability to receive and analyze information
• Ability to judge appropriate levels of information shared with clients
• Ability to share information with office members
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to travel within a limited radius to client site or consulates.

Minimum Education Level:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent