Are you served by a trustworthy Canadian immigration consultant?

Canada has introduced measures to help applicants obtain more reliable, transparent and accountable services throughout their immigration or citizenship process. Image credit: Sabbir Ahmed on Unsplash.

The government of Canada is strengthening protections for people seeking immigration and citizenship advice by improving access to trustworthy, quality representation. Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced new regulations to enhance the oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants in Canada.

These measures will reinforce the role of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants and help applicants obtain more reliable, transparent and accountable services throughout their immigration or citizenship process.

The new regulations will take effect on July 15, 2026, and will allow the College to strengthen its complaints and discipline process, including through increased penalties, for consultants who break the rules require more information on the College’s public register of licensed consultants beginning April 2027,

• to increase transparency and protect the public from unauthorized representatives

• improve transparency by adding new reporting requirements for the College

• improve the College’s investigation process for misconduct by clarifying the rules

• give the minister the power to appoint someone to take over board duties if the board fails to meet its responsibilities

• establish guidelines for the College’s compensation fund, created for victims of financial loss caused by dishonest acts from consultants

These regulations will strengthen the integrity of immigration and citizenship consulting, and play an important role in protecting people from dishonest representatives.

“People looking to build their future in Canada deserve access to honest and reliable immigration and citizenship advice. They need to have confidence that our government is taking effective steps to improve integrity. These changes reflect our commitment to protecting applicants from fraud and misconduct, and to supporting a system where consultants are held to high standards,” said the minsier for Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab.