NY Immigration Assistance Service Providers Bond Overview
- Purpose: To ensure New York immigration service providers uphold state laws and only provide services within their legal ability.
- Who Needs It: Individuals providing immigration assistance via non-legal services
- Regulating Body: The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
- Bond Amount: $50,000–$150,000, varies based on annual service fees
- Minimum Price: 1% or $500
What Is a New York Immigration Assistance Service Providers Bond?
The NY Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) requires all immigration service providers (ISPs) to have a surety bond.
The bond protects clients from harmful or misleading advice and ensures ISPs follow New York law. Being bonded holds ISPs financially liable if they break the law or provide services out of their description.
See the graphic below for details on what services ISPs can and cannot provide.
Bond Coverage Requirements
Typically, you’ll only need $50,000 bond coverage. However, if you earn more than $250,000 in annual service fees, you’ll need higher bond coverage.
In this case, your bond must be equal to 20% of your annual service fee earnings. For example, if you collect $300,000 of annual fees, you’ll need a $60,000 surety bond.
How Much Do NY ISP Bonds Cost?
New York immigration service provider bond prices start at 1% or $500. These bonds require underwriting to determine exact rates, but most applicants qualify for the starting rate.
So, if you need $50,000 bond coverage, you’ll likely pay $500 for a one-year term. Or, select a multi-year term to save up to 25%. Apply for a free quote today!
SuretyBonds.com offers the lowest available rates from our nationwide provider network with no added fees.
How Does the Bond Work?
When you get an immigration service provider bond, you enter a three-party legal agreement.
| Bond Party | Description |
|---|---|
| 1) Principal | You, the immigration service provider |
| 2) Obligee | The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection |
| 3) Surety | The issuing surety provider |
If you provide harmful or misleading advice or guidance, a claim can be filed on the bond. The surety will pay harmed parties and you must reimburse the surety later on.
How Do I Get My Bond?
Get your immigration assistance service providers bond by following these simple steps:
- Apply for a quote
- Pay the premium
- Get your bond in the mail
- File your bond with the DCWP
You’ll get a free quote in one business day or less! Select your preferred shipping method at checkout — we offer overnight, two-day and three-day shipping.
How Do I File My Bond?
File your bond with the DCWP at the following address:
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
42 Broadway #5
New York, NY 10004
Can I Get Bonded With Bad Credit?
We approve 99% of applicants. If you’re curious about how your credit score may affect your rate, read about our Bad Credit Options.
How Do I Renew My ISP Bond?
Immigration service bonds expire annually, unless you select a multi-year term. We’ll send periodic renewal messages starting 90 days before the expiration date. Just follow the instructions and pay the renewal invoice to extend your bond for another term.
How Do I Update My Bond Information?
If you need to update information on your bond form, contact our Customer Care team:
- 1(800)308-4358
- [email protected]
We’ll issue a bond rider for small fixes, or a new bond form for larger updates.
How to Become an Immigration Service Provider in New York
There is no formal license or registration application to conduct business as an ISP in New York. However, you must ensure you meet the following NYC Administrative Code requirements:
- Get at minimum $50,000 surety bond
- Provide simple contracts to clients — including business information, services and fees
- Allow cancellation and refunds within three business days
- Provide copies of papers sent to the government
- Disclose you are not a lawyer and cannot provide legal services
- Keep all documents and forms for three years and give to client for free if requested
Read more about your role as an ISP in the Immigration Assistance Service Enforcement Act.
