Who is an Immigration Representative or Consultant?
Your immigration representative is someone who advices you on the best immigration program suitable for you, according to your situation and the eligibility criteria. Your representative also corresponds with the Government and immigration department of Canada on your behalf.
There are two types of representatives:
Paid and unpaid.
Paid representatives:
Only the people authorised by the Canadian government can be your ‘Paid’ representatives, i.e. only such people can charge a fee for helping you with your immigration process.
These authorised representatives are either:
- Lawyers or paralegals who are members of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society or
- Notaries who are members of the Chambre des notaires du Quebec or
- Immigration Consultants, called RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant), who are members of College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
No one else can legally charge any fees for representing or consulting for immigration to Canada.
Unpaid representatives:
They could be friends and family or any third party, who does not charge any fee for representing you.
Such representatives will advise you on selecting the program to apply for, complete and submit your application and correspond on your behalf.
Which ever type of representative you choose, you will need to authorise them for the immigration department to share your information with them and you can also cancel this authorisation at any time while your application is in process.
You do not have to have a representative. You can complete and submit your application on your own using various resources including the official website of the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
What is an RCIC consultant?
The RCIC stands for “Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.” An RCIC is a certified professional authorized by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) to offer immigration advice and representation to individuals seeking to immigrate to Canada. These consultants are subject to regulation by the ICCRC and must meet specific educational and professional requirements to obtain and uphold their certification.
Why have an RCIC as an Immigration Consultant?
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) possess extensive knowledge of Canadian immigration laws and policies. They offer valuable guidance and assistance throughout the immigration process, including completing application forms, submitting necessary documents, and representing clients before immigration authorities. Engaging the services of an RCIC can significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of your immigration application, ensuring it is processed correctly and smoothly.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) hold significant importance for several reasons:
- Expertise and Professionalism : RCICs possess extensive training and expertise in Canadian immigration law, and procedures. Their in-depth knowledge allows them to ensure that immigration applications are complete and accurate, saving applicants time, money, and stress.
- Client Protection : RCICs are subject to regulation by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), which enforces strict ethical and professional standards. This regulation guarantees that clients can trust their RCIC to act in their best interests, provide reliable advice, and maintain confidentiality.
- Accelerated Processing Times : RCICs can expedite the immigration process by submitting comprehensive and error-free applications and promptly responding to requests for additional information or documentation. This proactive approach helps reduce processing times and enhances the likelihood of a successful outcome.
- Legal Representation : RCICs are authorized to represent clients before Canadian immigration authorities, including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). This authorization enables them to advocate for their clients’ interests and guide them through the complexities of the legal system.
In summary, RCICs play a crucial role in assisting individuals and families in navigating the Canadian immigration system. Their expertise, professionalism, and legal representation can significantly impact the success of immigration applications.
How to find an RCIC?
To find a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), you can utilize the directory available on the official website of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). The ICCRC serves as the regulatory body responsible for overseeing RCICs in Canada. The directory on their website provides a comprehensive list of RCICs who are in good standing with the ICCRC and are authorized to offer immigration advice and services. When searching for an RCIC, you have the option to filter by location language, or area of specialization. It is crucial to note that only RCICs authorized by the ICCRC are permitted to provide immigration advice and representation for a fee in Canada. Therefore, it is highly recommended to engage the services of an authorized RCIC to ensure you receive reliable and professional advice. You can access the directory of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) directly on the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) website.
Who else can represent me for immigration to Canada.
The only people other than an RCIC who are authorised to be your representative for a fee are lawyers, paralegal and notary in case of Quebec, and they must be in good standing with their regulatory bodies. Apart from these paid representatives, you can authorise anyone to represent you but without paying any fee.
It is crucial to understand that authorized representatives must be registered and maintain good standing with the appropriate regulatory body to provide immigration advice or services in Canada. For instance, immigration consultants must be members of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), while lawyers must be members of a provincial or territorial law society.
To ensure a reliable and reputable representative, it is highly recommended that you conduct thorough research before hiring anyone. Verify their authorization and reputation by checking the ICCRC website or the website of the provincial law society.
Remember, entrusting your immigration application to an authorised and trustworthy representative can provide you with peace of mind and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
You do not necessarily have to have a representative or consultant to file an immigration application with IRCC. You can do your own research and apply yourself online, without the use of any representative.