March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada. If you are dealing with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — the federal department responsible for immigration, refugees, and citizenship — you want a properly licensed person handling your file.
“Ghost consultants” are illegal, and they scam thousands of people every year. Do not be one of them. Victims usually pay heavy fees up front for work that never actually happens.
Under Canadian law, only three kinds of professionals can represent you for a fee:
- Canadian lawyers
- Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)
- Public notaries of Quebec
People in these three groups have completed a specific course of study, passed a licensing exam, and gone through criminal and good-conduct screening before being allowed to practice. They are also held to strict ongoing rules about how they deal with clients. Breaking those rules can cost them their license.
Before you sign anything or send money, check that your representative is actually registered. You can search the ICCRC public register here: https://iccrc-crcic.ca/find-a-professional/