Fraudulent or Unlicensed Immigration Representatives Can Now Be Fined Up to $1.5 Million

The new policy took effect on October 28, 2026. They allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to fine people who give paid immigration advice without a licence or knowingly help applicants provide false or misleading information.

The measures apply to both licensed and unauthorized representatives, including those working outside Canada.

IRCC will also publish the names of representatives who break the rules. This will help applicants check whether someone has been fined for misconduct.

Key Takeaways

• Canada has introduced fines ranging from $5,000 to $1.5 million for immigration representatives who break the law.
• Representatives can be fined for providing paid advice without a licence or helping applicants misrepresent information.
• IRCC will publish the names of representatives who break the rules. A public registry is expected in 2027.
• Applicants should always verify that their immigration representative is licensed before paying for services. For instance, our in-house consultant, Rebecca Major, is licensed by CICC.

Canada’s New Penalties for Unauthorized Immigration Representatives

Under the new rules announced by IRCC, representatives who provide immigration or citizenship advice without authorization or aid in misrepresentation can face large fines.

The starting penalties are:

• $5,000 for giving paid immigration or citizenship advice without a licence.
• $15,000 for knowingly giving false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf or helping an applicant do so.
• $10,000 for failing to provide documents requested during an official inspection.

More fines may apply if an application is approved based on false or misleading information.

Fines can also increase for repeat offences. The maximum penalty for a violation can go up to $1.5 million.

These fines are in addition to other penalties that representatives may already face, including professional discipline or criminal charges.

The new rules only apply to actions taken on or after October 28, 2026.

How Will the New Rules Protect Applicants?

One key change is that IRCC will publish the names of representatives who have been penalized for breaking these rules. The government plans to launch the online registry in 2027.

The registry will include:

• The representative’s name and business or employer.
• Details of the violations committed.
• How much they were fined.
• Whether they have paid the fine.

This will help prospective applicants check whether the representative they plan to hire has a been penalized for misconduct or unauthorized practice.

The new fines are also meant to discourage people from giving immigration advice without a licence or helping applicants submit false information. The current laws don’t have any teeth, as the Canadian government lacks the jurisdiction to enforce them abroad. So it is hoped that introducing a deterrent will have a real impact on those providing advice unlawfully.

Although this is a step in the right direction, the new policy will not stop all immigration fraud. You still need to be careful when choosing someone to help with their application.

Will the New Penalties Apply to Immigration Representatives Outside Canada?

IRCC says the new rules apply to anyone providing paid immigration or citizenship advice or representation, no matter where they are located.

This includes unauthorized immigration representatives operating outside Canada.

The government says it can fine these agents and publish their names online if they break the rules.

However, it remains unclear how Canada will be able to collect these fines from individuals living and working in other countries. Many unauthorized practitioners have no assets or business presence in Canada, and the immigration department may not have the jurisdiction to enforce Canadian rules outside the country.

Publishing their names and issuing fines may discourage some agents from breaking the rules. However, these steps likely won’t stop all immigration fraud, especially outside Canada.

How To Check if Your Canadian Immigration Representative Is Licensed

Even with the new policy, you should always check that your immigration representative is licensed before paying for their services.

Only certain professionals are allowed to charge for Canadian immigration advice or representation.

These include:

• Immigration consultants: Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) are licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
• Lawyers: Must be members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society.
• Quebec notaries: Must be members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
• Ontario paralegals: Must be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario.

You can verify a representative’s status through the relevant professional body’s public directory.

Remember, an immigration practitioner is not automatically allowed to give paid advice just because they work for an immigration company or have helped other people apply.

You should be cautious of anyone who promises or guarantees that your visa will be approved. Also be careful if someone claims to have special connections with IRCC or encourages you to provide inaccurate information, including asking you not to declare them as a representative.

It’s important to thoroughly vet an immigration professional before hiring them. This list of questions to ask a Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer is a good starting point.

Ultimately, you are responsible for the information in your immigration application, even if someone else fills it out for you.

The new fines are meant to protect applicants from fraud. However, checking that your representative is licensed is still one of the best ways to protect yourself.