As of June 7, 2026.
Choosing who handles your Canadian immigration file is one of the highest-stakes decisions you will make. A licensed representative can guide your application correctly. An unauthorized "ghost consultant" can sink it, get you banned, and take your money with no recourse. This guide explains who may legally charge you for immigration advice, how to verify them in minutes, the real penalties for using an unauthorized rep, and what the new rules coming into force on July 15, 2026 change.
Who can legally charge you for Canadian immigration advice?
Short answer: Three categories of professionals may charge a fee to advise on or represent your Canadian immigration or citizenship application. First, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Second, a lawyer who is a member in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society. Third, a notary who is a member in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec. Ontario paralegals are a narrow exception, not a fourth full category: the Law Society of Ontario limits them to representation before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), such as refugee and detention hearings, so they cannot prepare or advise on IRCC applications unless they also hold a CICC licence. Anyone else who takes money to advise you is operating outside the law, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may return or refuse your application as a result.
