How to Find a Reliable Canadian Immigration Consultancy

June 25, 2021

Canadian immigration consultants provide an invaluable service to thousands of foreign nationals looking to immigrate to Canada. With over a hundred pathways to Canadian permanent residency, a Canadian immigration consultant works with their clients to narrow down the best options and then helps to navigate the complex process of obtaining a visa, work permit, or permanent residency.

Unfortunately, for all the good that genuine consultancies do, some unscrupulous agents either lack the skill, experience, or ability to provide the quality of service they promised.

With so much on the line, don’t get caught with the wrong immigration consultancy. Here are four important tips on what to look for when choosing the right immigration consultant.

1. Check for RCIC Registration

The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is a regulatory board that oversees Canadian immigration consultancies to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and excellence are met.
Registered Canadian immigration consultants (RCICs) have to undergo extensive training and pass an exam before being legally able to assist with immigration-related issues or applications. To ensure you are working with an authorized Canadian immigration consultant, you should only consider representatives who are ICCRC registered and in good standing. You can verify RCIC status here.

2. Review the Immigration Consultancy’s Website

A good immigration consultancy website should offer easy access to important immigration information and news, regardless of whether they have been hired for a service. Carefully review an agency’s website for content and quality, watching out for misinformation, poor grammar, and spelling errors.

3. Schedule a Consultation Before Signing a Contract

You should never feel pressured to sign on for a service you are not comfortable with, and you should never pay any amount of money upfront, before having a consultation with a prospective agent. This is your opportunity to describe your situation, obtain feedback, and ask the immigration representative any questions you may have.
Only after the consultant has reviewed your case, discussed your immigration or visa options, and gone over the fee schedule should you agree to sign a contract and advance the agreed-upon payment through a secure payment method. Ensure all details of the services to be rendered are included in the contract before signing.

4. Avoid Any Too-Good-to-Be-True Guarantees

Even with straightforward immigration cases, Canadian immigration can never be guaranteed by an immigration consultant. Their job is to submit the strongest application possible, but they cannot promise a positive outcome. Any guarantee on an outcome, employment offer, or visa in exchange for payment should be regarded as a massive red flag.

Using an immigration consultancy is not required to obtain a Canadian visa, work permit or permanent residency. Immigration consultants provide an optional, yet highly sought-after service, helping foreign nationals navigate complex governmental processes and miles of red tape. Their value comes from their in-depth knowledge of immigration laws, regulations, and procedures. With the support of an immigration consultant, the odds of having an application approved are significantly increased.