In Canadian immigration and citizenship matters, anyone can assist an applicant for free — but only certain authorized representatives can be paid for their services. The rule is designed to protect applicants from unqualified or fraudulent consultants who charge fees without proper training or accountability. Using an unauthorized paid representative can result in the application being returned or not processed, and IRCC will not communicate with unauthorized representatives on behalf of the applicant.

For current verification tools and information on using a representative, refer to the IRCC representative page.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, s 13.1 — the authorized representative framework
• Citizenship Act, s 21.1 — the authorized representative framework for citizenship matters
• College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (CICCA) — the legislation establishing CICC as the regulator for immigration consultants
• IRCC: Using an immigration and citizenship representative — canada.ca/representatives
• IRCC: Find out if your representative is authorized — canada.ca/authorized-representative
• IMM 5476 — Use of a Representative Form

The three categories of authorized paid representatives

Only the following three categories of persons are authorized to charge a fee for representing someone in a Canadian immigration or citizenship matter:

1. Lawyers and paralegals — members of a Canadian law society

A lawyer or paralegal who is a member in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society is authorised to provide paid immigration and citizenship representation. This includes barristers and solicitors in all provinces and territories with a law society. Membership in good standing means the person is currently licensed and not suspended.

2. Quebec notaries — Chambre des notaires du Québec

A notary who is a member in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec is authorised to provide paid representation in Quebec for matters within a notary's scope of practice.

3. Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) — CICC members

A person who is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) is authorised to provide paid immigration and citizenship representation. The CICC designation is:

• RCIC — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (for immigration matters)
• RISIA — Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (limited scope for student matters)

The CICC (formerly known as the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council — ICCRC) was established as the sole regulator of immigration consultants under the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (CICCA), which came into force in November 2021. All immigration consultants who wish to be paid for their services must be registered with the CICC.

Consequences of using an unauthorized paid representative

If an applicant appoints a paid representative who is not authorized (i.e., not a member of one of the three categories above), IRCC will:

• Not deal with the unauthorized representative
• May return the application
• Treat the applicant as unrepresented

Using an unauthorized paid representative does not protect the applicant — IRCC may also consider misrepresentation if the applicant was aware that their representative was unauthorized. The unauthorized representative may also be subject to prosecution under IRPA for providing unauthorized immigration advice for a fee.

Unpaid helpers — no restrictions

There is no restriction on who can help an applicant for free. Family members, friends, settlement workers, community volunteers, and others can all assist with an immigration or citizenship application without charge and without being an authorized representative. The authorized representative framework only applies when a fee or other compensation is charged.

How to appoint a representative — IMM 5476

To appoint a representative (paid or unpaid) who will communicate with IRCC on the applicant's behalf, the applicant must complete and sign Form IMM 5476 (Use of a Representative). This form authorises IRCC to communicate directly with the named representative. If an IMM 5476 is on file for an application, IRCC will send correspondence (including decisions, requests for information, and procedural fairness letters) to the representative rather than to the applicant directly.

How to verify authorization

Applicants can verify whether a representative is authorized:

• CICC members: Search the CICC public register at cicc.authority.ca — a member in good standing will appear in the register
• Lawyers and paralegals: Check the law society of the relevant province or territory — each law society maintains a public register of members in good standing
• Quebec notaries: Check the Chambre des notaires du Québec register

For links to verification tools, refer to the IRCC authorization verification page.

Using a representative does not improve the outcome

IRCC explicitly states that using a representative does not draw special attention to an application and does not increase the likelihood of approval. Applicants who represent themselves are treated the same as applicants who have a representative. The quality of the application and the evidence provided — not the use of a representative — is what matters for the outcome.

The regulation of immigration consultants in Canada has a complex history — for many years, the sector was poorly regulated, leading to widespread "ghost consultant" fraud (where unqualified persons charged fees for immigration advice). The 2021 establishment of the CICC with stronger regulatory powers was intended to address these issues. Applicants who are unsure whether a person they are dealing with is authorized can check the CICC public register or the relevant law society register before paying any fees. For current CICC membership verification and IRCC guidance on representatives, refer to the IRCC representative page.