Who can represent you?

Immigration consultants, lawyers, and other representatives:

Authorized immigration consultants, lawyers, Québec notaries, and paralegals regulated by a law society are people who can offer immigration advice to applicants. Some applicants may choose to use such a representative to act on their behalf with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the Immigration and Refugee Board or the Canada Border Services Agency.

There are two types of immigration representatives: paid and unpaid.

Paid immigration representatives

Only the following people may charge a fee or receive any other type of consideration, to represent or advise you in connection with a Canadian immigration proceeding or application:

• lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
• Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec, and
• Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council

The Government of Canada will not deal with non-authorized immigration representatives who charge for their services.

Unpaid immigration third parties

Unpaid third parties, such as family members, friends, non-governmental or religious organizations will still be allowed to act on your behalf.

Tips on choosing a representative:

Immigration consultants, lawyers, Québec notaries or paralegals regulated by a law society:

It is your decision whether or not to use an immigration consultant, lawyer, Québec notary or paralegal regulated by a law society. No immigration representative has special access to our programs and services and no one can guarantee you a visa.

All the forms and guides you need to apply for any type of visa are available for free on this website.

Choosing an immigration consultant:

• Ask for recommendations from people you trust. Talk to several potential advisers before choosing one.
• Ask about their training and experience:
  • find out if they are authorized
  • ask for references
  • find out how long they have been in business.
• Discuss what services they will provide and the fee. Get this information in writing.
• Ask questions. You should be wary of a consultant who refuses to answer your questions.
• Be careful of anything that sounds too good to be true.

If you are choosing an immigration consultant in Canada, you can also contact the Better Business Bureau before making your choice. They can tell you if any complaints have been raised against immigration consultants, lawyers, and other representatives that operate in Canada.

Once you have chosen an immigration consultant:

• Make sure you get a written contract-read it carefully before you sign it. Make sure that all the promised services are listed and the fee is clearly set out.
• Do not leave original documents or photos with the consultant.
• Do not sign blank application forms. If the consultant has forms or documents for you to sign, do not sign them unless you are able to read them. If you don't understand them, bring someone with you to translate. Make sure to get copies of any documents that are prepared for you.
• Any time you make a payment, get a signed receipt.
• Make sure your consultant updates you on your application on a regular basis.
• If you change your mind about your immigration consultant, you do not have to continue with them. You can change your representative at any time or deal directly with the visa office or the in-Canada immigration office yourself. If you change your representative, you must notify CIC.
• You must provide your representative's name and contact information on your application form whether they are paid or not. If your immigration consultant says that this is not necessary, this is false. You should verify the accuracy of your representative's advice.
• If you appoint a representative who is not a member of one of the designated bodies, your application will be returned.

Note: The Government of Canada will never ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account or to transfer money through a specific private money transfer company.

Remember-you are responsible for all the information in your application. It is against the law to give false or misleading information to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

• If the information on your application is false or misleading, this is against the law and you may be refused entry to Canada or be deported from Canada after you arrive.
• Immigration consultants who tell you to provide false or misleading information are also breaking the law.

For further information please visit MINISTRY OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CANADA or IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS OF CANADA REGULATORY COUNCIL