Fraud Prevention

The paramount concern for our team at [Company/website name] is the well-being of our clients. Consequently, strict adherence to the prescribed procedure for identifying authorized Canadian immigration consultants and verifying their credibility is a crucial undertaking. This is particularly vital due to the prevalence of fraudulent activities, such as the impersonation of immigration consultants, within this domain.

Verify the designation of your Canadian immigration consultant.

Authenticate the status of your Canadian immigration consultant. Illicit individuals may assume a seemingly authoritative designation lacking genuine legitimacy. The only individuals permitted to provide counsel or advocacy concerning Canadian immigration or citizenship in return for remuneration (or any form of benefit) are:

• Certified professionals in a good standing with the College,
• Members of a recognized legal association in Canada, or
• Members of the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

Stated more succinctly, unless someone is a lawyer or notary, they must hold a valid license from the College to operate as a consultant for Canadian immigration or citizenship matters.

A licensed Canadian immigration consultant must be officially sanctioned by the College.

The mere completion of an immigration education program does not automatically confer the right to offer guidance on Canadian immigration or citizenship matters.
Official authorization from the College is a requisite for a licensed Canadian immigration consultant to furnish compensated Canadian immigration services or derive other advantages.
To verify an individual’s licensing status with the College, refer to the College’s online Public Register.
searches can be conducted utilizing specified criteria such as:

• first or last name
• company name
• location
• License Number. (For RCIC License Numbers, they commence with the letter “R” followed by six digits, whereas RISIA License Numbers initiate with the letter “S” followed by six digits

Service Agreement.

Your immigration consultant will furnish you with a service agreement or contract encompassing the following particulars:

• The remuneration pertains to the services rendered. Your immigration consultant will provide you with a comprehensive outline containing:
• A comprehensive list of requisite applications for submission.
• Corresponding fees associated with each application.
• Explicit delineation of payments required at distinct stages.

It is imperative that you are not compelled to make advance payments for an application that hinges on the outcome of another application.

• The sum to be remitted and the necessity of an upfront payment shall be specified. It is essential to note that Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) possess the autonomy to determine their service charges. The College does not exercise supervision or regulation over the fees established by RCICs for the provision of their services.
• Details pertaining to any deposits, including their refundability, will be provided.
• Expenses related to supplementary services or professionals, such as legal practitioners or language translators, will be delineated.
• In the event of any ambiguity within the service agreement, it is imperative to seek written clarification. A thorough comprehension of each service encompassed by the payment is crucial. No concealed fees or unforeseen charges should arise subsequent to the execution of the service agreement.

The service agreement should be exclusively executed by the client and the licensed Canadian immigration consultant responsible for delivering the services, precluding the involvement of any other parties in the agreement.

The service agreement must feature your immigration consultant’s:

• complete legal name
• license number commencing with the letter “R” followed by six digits

Be cautious of assertions such as, “By paying a single fee, the consultants state that they could secure you a job and handle your immigration documents.” No entity, whether an employer, recruiter, or immigration consultant, should demand payment for job placement. Ensure there is no clause regarding payments for job placement/opportunities mentioned in your agreement, since there is no requirement for such.
According to the prescribed procedure, your prospective employer necessitates the submission of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application, and subsequently, your immigration consultant will integrate the approved LMIA into your work permit application. However, specific foreign nationals may be exempt from the obligation of an LMIA or a work permit, contingent upon their eligibility.

Requirement of a “Use of a Representative Form” (IMM5476)

Ensure that your consultant furnishes you with a “Use of a Representative Form” (IMM5476) to substantiate the authorization of your Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to act as your representative in immigration matters.
The form must be duly signed by both the immigration consultant and the client. This signed IMM5476 serves as evidence to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that the consultant has the requisite authority to represent you whenever inquiries regarding your case are made.
This form is mandatory regardless of whether the consultant is a friend, family member, or is providing their services free of charge. Ensure you are provided a copy of all the forms signed by you, the code of professional conduct and request for invoices of your payments if you are not provided.

Outcome of application and time frame

Neither your consultant nor any other individual can definitively outline a processing schedule for any class of Canadian immigration application. The IRCC establishes approximate timeframes (such as 8-12 weeks), which can be communicated to you by your immigration consultant.
Similarly, it is unfeasible for any party to guarantee the approval of your application. The ultimate determination of your Canadian immigration application lies within the purview of a visa officer. The resolution of your application remains undisclosed until the issuance of a written decision by the visa officer.

Licensee Insignias

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) employ unique Licensee Insignias, akin to the examples provided. The Licensee Insignia featured on a website must be hyperlinked to the College’s Public Register. This hyperlink serves to facilitate the verification of the consultant’s licensing status with the College.

College’s Code of Professional Conduct.

Licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) have affirmed their competency and ethical capability through adherence to established standards, thereby ensuring their proficiency in providing assistance. Moreover, they are duty-bound to engage in yearly educational pursuits as mandated by the College’s Continuing Professional Development programs.
In contrast, unlicensed practitioners possess limited knowledge in immigration matters and are not bound by a Code of Professional Conduct.
Adherence to precise ethical standards, as outlined in the “College’s Code of Professional Conduct,” is paramount for both regulated consultants and their clients.

• Providing false or deceptive information in your immigration application constitutes “misrepresentation.”
• Conviction of misrepresentation results in a five-year prohibition from submitting applications to Canada.
• This misrepresentation record will be integrated into your immigration history, potentially impacting your eligibility for future Canadian applications.
• If the representative encourages dishonesty in your application, it is advisable to lodge a complaint with the College.

Navigating the complexities of the Canadian immigration process can be intricate, and authentic immigration consultants can offer valuable assistance. It is imperative to recognize that a bona fide consultant will prioritize your welfare, furnish transparent information, and navigate the immigration process with integrity.
However, it is essential to remain vigilant about identity theft involving legitimate regulated immigration consultants, which constitutes a concerning form of fraud. In this scheme, unauthorized individuals may exploit the reputation and credentials of genuine consultants by assuming their identity, employing their name, and even falsifying their license number. This fraudulent activity is designed to mislead clients into believing they are interacting with a legitimate consultant while engaging in unauthorized and potentially detrimental practices.
Clients must exercise awareness regarding this fraudulent activity and undertake requisite measures to authenticate the legitimacy of their consultant. It is imperative to verify that the consultant’s details align with the information on the official public register of the regulatory body. Any disparities or uncertainties should prompt clients to autonomously validate the consultant’s identity by directly contacting the College.
It is crucial for clients to maintain prudence and vigilance throughout their immigration process. Interaction exclusively with bona fide and authorized consultants guarantees the provision of precise guidance, ethical representation, and safeguarding against potential identity theft-related schemes.