New penalties for fraudulent and unauthorized immigration and citizenship representatives

The Government of Canada has brought into force new penalties of up to $1.5 million targeting individuals who unlawfully provide paid immigration or citizenship representation or advice.

According to an announcement published by the IRCC Newsroom, these enforcement measures are designed to strengthen the integrity of the country's immigration system and protect applicants from fraudulent practices and financial exploitation.

Significant Fines for Unlawful Representation

Under Canadian immigration legislation, only authorized individuals—such as licensed immigration consultants registered with the appropriate regulatory body, lawyers in good standing with a provincial or territorial law society, or Quebec notaries—are legally permitted to charge a fee for immigration or citizenship advice and representation.

The updated regulatory framework introduces severe financial consequences for non-compliance. Individuals who break the law by providing paid advice or representation without proper authorization, or who commit fraud against applicants, can now face penalties reaching up to $1.5 million.

Objective of the Measures

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that the primary objective of these penalties is to deter bad actors from taking advantage of prospective immigrants, international students, temporary foreign workers, and citizenship applicants.

Unauthorized representatives, often referred to as "ghost consultants," operate outside regulatory oversight. They frequently provide inaccurate advice, submit falsified documentation, or charge exorbitant fees without delivering services, placing applicants at risk of application refusals, financial loss, or bans from entering Canada for misrepresentation.

Guidance for Applicants

IRCC consistently reminds applicants that hiring an immigration representative is not required to apply for a visa, study permit, work permit, permanent residency, or Canadian citizenship. The department evaluates all applications equally, regardless of whether they are submitted by an individual or an authorized third party.

Applicants who choose to pay for assistance are advised to independently confirm that their representative is licensed before entering into an agreement or transferring funds.

Source: IRCC Newsroom