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Immigration paralegal vs corporate paralegal

The differences between immigration paralegals and corporate paralegals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an immigration paralegal and a corporate paralegal. Additionally, a corporate paralegal has an average salary of $67,515, which is higher than the $67,056 average annual salary of an immigration paralegal.

The top three skills for an immigration paralegal include management system, government agencies and USCIS. The most important skills for a corporate paralegal are litigation, corporate governance, and legal research.

Immigration paralegal vs corporate paralegal overview

Immigration ParalegalCorporate Paralegal
Yearly salary$67,056$67,515
Hourly rate$32.24$32.46
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs4,27913,482
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4646
Years of experience1212

What does an immigration paralegal do?

Working alongside immigration lawyers, an immigration paralegal is in charge of liaising and assisting clients through the progress of their visa petitions or other cases. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and securing foreign documents, coordinating with immigration managers, managing and filing documentation, preparing applications, and handling case systems and other databases. Furthermore, as an immigration paralegal, it is essential to update clients with the progress of their cases, answering their inquiries and helping them navigate through the procedures as needed.

What does a corporate paralegal do?

A Corporate Paralegal helps attorneys gather information and materials in preparation for different kinds of cases, hearings, or meetings. They also work in the legal departments of large corporations and for government agencies.

Immigration paralegal vs corporate paralegal salary

Immigration paralegals and corporate paralegals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Immigration ParalegalCorporate Paralegal
Average salary$67,056$67,515
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $97,000Between $42,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAmerican ExpressCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Best paying industryProfessionalFinance

Differences between immigration paralegal and corporate paralegal education

There are a few differences between an immigration paralegal and a corporate paralegal in terms of educational background:

Immigration ParalegalCorporate Paralegal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorLegal Support ServicesLegal Support Services
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Immigration paralegal vs corporate paralegal demographics

Here are the differences between immigration paralegals' and corporate paralegals' demographics:

Immigration ParalegalCorporate Paralegal
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 26.3% Female, 73.7%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 5.4% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between immigration paralegal and corporate paralegal duties and responsibilities

Immigration paralegal example responsibilities.

  • Manage caseload utilizing INSZoom software.
  • Manage large volume of documents, enabling attorneys to easily identify key documents that are critical for mediation and arbitration.
  • Prepare training materials for H-1B visas and permanent labor certification.
  • Write and prepare all arguments in re: to RFE's.
  • Provide notary services to clients.
  • Interview clients to complete form interrogatories.
  • Show more

Corporate paralegal example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of five to prepare over 100 UCC-1 forms to meet a 48 hour deadline.
  • Achieve sole responsibility for administration of all estates and guardianships.
  • Prepare documents such as estoppel certificates, subordination agreements and commencement agreements.
  • Collect and prepare information and draft answers to department litigation including informational statements, pleadings, and affidavits.
  • Involve in all aspects of litigation support including legal research, factual investigations, document review/management, and trial preparation.
  • Analyze and review of new and existing commercial lease agreements, estoppel certificates, subordination and non-disturbance agreements and lease amendments.
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Immigration paralegal vs corporate paralegal skills

Common immigration paralegal skills
  • Management System, 8%
  • Government Agencies, 8%
  • USCIS, 7%
  • Immigration Law, 6%
  • HR, 5%
  • Litigation, 5%
Common corporate paralegal skills
  • Litigation, 9%
  • Corporate Governance, 7%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Mergers, 5%
  • Securities, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%