Verify an Immigration Consultant or Lawyer
Only two types of professionals are legally authorized to provide immigration advice in Canada for a fee: Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and lawyers/notaries licensed in a Canadian province. Always verify credentials before hiring.
Immigration Consultants (RCICs)
Immigration consultants must be registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Use the official CICC directory to confirm a consultant's registration status before proceeding.
CICC — Find a Registered Consultant→Previously known as ICCRC (Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council). The CICC assumed regulatory authority in 2021.
Immigration Lawyers
Immigration lawyers must be in good standing with the law society of the province where they practice. Find your province below:
- OntarioLaw Society of Ontario→
- British ColumbiaLaw Society of BC→
- AlbertaLaw Society of Alberta→
- QuebecBarreau du Québec→
- ManitobaLaw Society of Manitoba→
- SaskatchewanLaw Society of Saskatchewan→
- Nova ScotiaNova Scotia Barristers' Society→
- New BrunswickLaw Society of New Brunswick→
- Newfoundland & LabradorLaw Society of NL→
- Prince Edward IslandLaw Society of PEI→
Warning Signs of Ghost Consultants
- Not listed in the CICC or law society directory
- Guarantees visa approval or specific outcomes
- Asks you to sign blank forms or misrepresent information
- Requests payment in cash only with no receipt
- Operates only via messaging apps with no physical address
If you suspect immigration fraud, report it to the IRCC fraud reporting page.
This page is for informational purposes only. DebugCanada does not endorse any specific consultant or law firm.