Who is qualified to give paid immigration advice in Canada?

Only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, and lawyers or paralegals in good standing, may charge a fee for immigration advice.

Should I disclose a past refusal before a consultation?

Yes, always. A consultant cannot give accurate advice about strategy or risk without knowing the applicant's full immigration history, including any past refusals or admissibility concerns.

What should I bring to a first consultation?

Bring current and past passports, any prior application or decision letters, a summary of immigration history, and any documents relevant to the specific goal being discussed, such as proof of funds.

How can I verify an RCIC's licence?

Licence status can be checked through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants' public register before booking or paying for a consultation.

Preparing for an Immigration Consultation

Last updated August 3, 2026 · Reviewed by RCIC Reviewer · Review cadence 60 days

Quick answer

This on-page guide helps applicants prepare before meeting with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, covering which documents to bring, what questions to ask, and how to describe an immigration history clearly and completely. Coming prepared allows a consultation to focus on strategy and risk assessment rather than basic information gathering.

Key takeaways

Bringing a complete, honest immigration history is essential for accurate advice.
Key documents to bring include passports, prior applications, refusal letters and status documents.
Preparing specific questions in advance helps make the most of limited consultation time.
Only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants and licensed lawyers may charge for immigration advice in Canada.
Disclosing prior refusals or misrepresentation concerns upfront is critical, even if uncomfortable.
A consultation is a starting point for strategy, not a guarantee of a specific outcome.

What This Guide Covers

This page helps applicants prepare for a paid consultation with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or an immigration lawyer, covering what to bring, what to disclose and how to frame useful questions. It does not provide immigration advice itself and should not be treated as a substitute for that consultation.

What's Inside

A document list to bring: current and past passports, prior application confirmations, refusal or decision letters.
A summary sheet of immigration history: prior visas, permits, refusals, overstays or removal orders, if any.
A prepared list of the specific outcomes being considered, such as a particular program or pathway.
Financial documents relevant to proof of funds or sponsorship, where applicable to the goal.
A question list template covering eligibility, timeline expectations, fees and representation scope.
A note on how to verify an RCIC's licence status through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
A reminder to disclose any prior misrepresentation findings or admissibility concerns honestly.
Space to record the consultant's recommendations and next steps immediately after the meeting.

How to Use This Guide

Work through the document and history sections first so nothing relevant is missing when the consultation begins. Prepare specific questions rather than open-ended ones, since a focused consultation produces more actionable guidance. Full disclosure of any past refusals, misrepresentation findings or admissibility issues is essential, since incomplete information can lead a consultant to give advice that does not account for real risks in the file.

Update Schedule

This resource is owned by the RCIC Reviewer role and reviewed every 60 days to keep the preparation guidance aligned with current regulatory practice. It is maintained in place at this stable URL rather than republished.

Frequently asked questions

Who is qualified to give paid immigration advice in Canada?: Only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, and lawyers or paralegals in good standing, may charge a fee for immigration advice.
Should I disclose a past refusal before a consultation?: Yes, always. A consultant cannot give accurate advice about strategy or risk without knowing the applicant's full immigration history, including any past refusals or admissibility concerns.
What should I bring to a first consultation?: Bring current and past passports, any prior application or decision letters, a summary of immigration history, and any documents relevant to the specific goal being discussed, such as proof of funds.
How can I verify an RCIC's licence?: Licence status can be checked through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants' public register before booking or paying for a consultation.

Official sources

Find out if you need to hire a representative - Canada.ca

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Government requirements change. Confirm details against the official sources above, and read our editorial standards.