Policy:

Licensing is Mandatory: Only individuals licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) can provide paid immigration and citizenship services in Canada. This also includes lawyers and paralegals that are regulated by their respective law societies.

Verify Your Consultant: Before hiring, use the CICC’s Public Register to confirm your chosen consultant is licensed and in good standing.

Service Agreements: Licensed consultants must provide a written service agreement (previously called a retainer agreement) that outlines the services they will provide for a fee before any services are rendered.

Client Rights and Consultant Duties

Information & Communication: Consultants must provide timely and effective communication, including timely updates on the status of a client’s application, and provide copies of documents upon request.

Honesty & Loyalty: Consultants have a duty of honesty and candour when advising clients, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting loyally.

Efficiency: They must conduct a client’s affairs efficiently and cost-effectively, ensuring all necessary documents are properly prepared and submitted.

Financial Transparency: Consultants must inform clients and get written agreement for any additional fees or disbursements that exceed the original estimate.

Protecting Yourself from Unauthorized Practitioners

Do Not Pay First: Never pay for services until you have verified the consultant is licensed and have signed a service agreement.

Report Concerns: If you suspect an unauthorized practitioner is operating, or if you have a complaint about a licensed consultant, you can report them to the CICC or relevant authorities.