Unauthorized Immigration Practitioners vs. Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants
Choosing the right representative can protect your application, your money and your future in Canada. Not everyone offering Canadian immigration advice is legally authorized to represent applicants for payment.
At a glance
| What to check | Unauthorized practitioner (UAP) | Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) |
|---|---|---|
| Authorized to represent clients for a fee before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) | ✕ No | ✓ Yes, when licensed and in good standing |
| Regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| Subject to professional conduct rules and discipline | ✕ Not under the CICC regulatory framework | ✓ Yes |
| Public licence verification | ✕ No valid RCIC licence | ✓ Verify using the CICC Public Register |
| Client complaints to the professional regulator | ✕ Not through RCIC licensing | ✓ CICC complaint and disciplinary processes apply |
What does regulated mean?
IRCC means Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the federal department that processes Canadian immigration applications. CICC means the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, the regulator of licensed Canadian immigration consultants. RCIC means Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. A licensed RCIC may provide paid immigration representation, must follow professional standards, and can be checked in the CICC Public Register. Lawyers and certain other authorized professionals may also represent clients; an RCIC is not the only lawful option.
Can using an unauthorized representative lead to deportation?
Hiring an unauthorized practitioner does not automatically mean an application will be refused or that someone will be deported. However, applicants remain responsible for the truthfulness of information submitted on their behalf. False documents, withheld facts or misrepresentation can lead to application refusal, a five-year inadmissibility period and, depending on the circumstances, removal from Canada. Always review your application and keep copies of everything submitted.
How to protect yourself
- Verify the representative’s current authorization through the CICC Public Register or the relevant law society.
- Insist on a written service agreement and receipts.
- Never sign blank forms or approve information you know is inaccurate.
- Ask for copies of all submissions and IRCC correspondence.
Canada Migration Services: regulated representation
Bibi R. Maudhoo, RCIC #R415359, is the regulated immigration consultant at Canada Migration Services Inc. Verify her current status independently using the CICC Public Register.
Start your free immigration assessment or book a consultation.
Français — Praticien non autorisé ou consultant réglementé?
Un praticien non autorisé ne peut pas représenter légalement un demandeur contre rémunération auprès d’Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC). Un consultant réglementé en immigration canadienne (CRIC/RCIC) titulaire d’un permis en règle est encadré par le Collège des consultants en immigration et en citoyenneté (CCIC/CICC) et doit respecter des normes professionnelles.
✓ Vérifiez le permis dans le registre public du Collège. ✓ Exigez un contrat écrit et des reçus. ✓ Vérifiez tous les renseignements transmis à IRCC. ✕ Ne signez jamais de formulaires vierges.
Le recours à une personne non autorisée n’entraîne pas automatiquement l’expulsion. Cependant, une fausse déclaration peut entraîner un refus, une interdiction de territoire de cinq ans et, selon la situation, un renvoi du Canada.
Bibi R. Maudhoo, RCIC no R415359 — Canada Migration Services Inc. Évaluation gratuite.
