As of July 3, 2026.
Immigration fraud almost always starts the same way: someone charges you for advice they are not licensed to give. These "ghost consultants" take your money, mishandle your file, and disappear, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can return or refuse an application prepared by an unauthorized representative. The good news is that checking whether someone is licensed takes about two minutes, and this guide shows you exactly how.
TL;DR
Only three kinds of paid representatives can handle your IRCC application: a licensed RCIC, a lawyer who belongs to a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, or a Quebec notary. Ontario paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario are limited to Immigration and Refugee Board matters. | Verify a consultant on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register by name or RCIC number, which is the letter R followed by six digits. | Using an unauthorized paid representative can get your application returned or refused by IRCC. | Providing paid immigration advice without a licence is an offence under section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, punishable by up to $200,000 and two years.
Who can legally represent you in a Canadian immigration application?
Only three types of paid representatives are authorized to give Canadian immigration advice or represent you with IRCC. Anyone charging a fee who is not in one of these groups is acting illegally, and hiring them puts your application at risk.
| Authorized paid representative | Regulator you can check them against |
|---|
| Immigration consultant (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, RCIC) | College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) |
| Lawyer (Ontario paralegals: Immigration and Refugee Board matters only) | A Canadian provincial or territorial law society |
| Quebec notary | Chambre des notaires du Québec |
Unpaid representatives, such as a family member, friend, or a non-profit that does not charge you, do not need to be licensed. But the moment money changes hands for immigration help, the person must be authorized. Go Far Global is a licensed Canadian immigration firm, so you can confirm our standing the same way you would check anyone else.
How do you check if an immigration consultant is licensed?
To verify an immigration consultant, search the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register by the consultant's full name or their RCIC number, which starts with the letter R followed by six digits. A licensed consultant appears with an "active" status. If they do not appear, they are not authorized to charge you for immigration advice.
Work through these steps before you pay anyone:
- Ask for the person's full legal name and RCIC number
- Open the CICC public register and search that name or number
- Confirm the status shows as licensed and active, not suspended or revoked
- For a lawyer, check the provincial or territorial law society directory instead, and for an Ontario paralegal, the Law Society of Ontario directory
- For a Quebec notary, check the Chambre des notaires du Québec
You can also confirm authorization through the IRCC page on finding out if your representative is authorized, which points to the same official registers.
What is a ghost consultant, and why is it a red flag?
A ghost consultant is an unlicensed person who charges for immigration advice or fills out applications while staying invisible to IRCC. They often tell you to list yourself as self-represented so their name never appears on the file, which leaves you with no accountability if the work is wrong. Providing paid immigration advice without a licence is an offence, and IRCC warns that using an unauthorized paid representative can get your application returned or refused. If someone asks to do the work but keep their name off the forms, treat it as a serious warning sign.
What are the warning signs of an immigration scam?
Most immigration scams share the same tells, and spotting one is usually enough to walk away. A legitimate representative never guarantees an outcome, because no one can promise a visa or permanent residence. Watch for these patterns:
- A guarantee of a visa, a job, or "fast-track" approval
- Pressure to pay in cash or to a personal account rather than a business
- Being asked to lie, use fake documents, or leave sections of a form blank
- No written contract or no clear breakdown of fees
- Claims of special connections or insider deals with IRCC
- A refusal to give you a name and RCIC number you can verify
IRCC never guarantees results, never charges through private accounts, and never sells "special" access. Learn more on the official protect yourself from immigration fraud page.
What should you do before you hire anyone?
Before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, confirm the representative is authorized, get everything in writing, and keep your own copies. A short verification now prevents a refused application and lost fees later.
- Verify the name and RCIC number on the CICC public register
- Read the IRCC guidance on choosing a representative
- Insist on a written retainer agreement listing services and fees
- Never sign blank forms and never let anyone submit under your name to hide theirs
- Keep copies of every document, receipt, and message
If you would rather work with a licensed firm from the start, book a consultation with our team and we will walk you through your options.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an immigration consultant is legit in Canada?
Search the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register by the consultant's full name or RCIC number. If they appear with an active licence, they are authorized. If they do not appear, they are not allowed to charge you for immigration advice.
How do I check if a migration agent is registered for Canada?
Canada does not use "migration agents." Paid help with an IRCC application must come from a licensed RCIC, a lawyer who belongs to a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, or a Quebec notary. IRCC also lists Ontario paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, but the Law Society limits their immigration work to Immigration and Refugee Board matters. Check the CICC register for consultants, or the relevant law society for lawyers.
How do I check an immigration consultant's licence?
Use the RCIC number, which begins with R and has six digits, and confirm the "active" status on the CICC public register. A suspended or revoked status means they cannot represent you.
How do I verify an RCIC is registered?
Enter the RCIC number or full name in the CICC public register. Licensed consultants show up instantly with their status. You can cross-check authorization on the IRCC representative page.
What happens if I use an unauthorized representative?
IRCC may return your application or refuse it, and you have little recourse against someone who was never licensed. Verifying before you pay is the only reliable protection.
How do you protect yourself when choosing an immigration representative?
Protecting yourself comes down to one habit: verify before you pay, and get the relationship in writing. Anyone charging for help with an IRCC application must be a licensed RCIC, a lawyer, or a Quebec notary, and each is easy to check on an official register. As a licensed Canadian immigration firm, we welcome that scrutiny, and we would rather you confirm our standing than trust anyone with your future on faith. If you want your file handled by an authorized representative, our team is here to help.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
