But when people look for help, they often encounter a noisy marketplace—agencies abroad, social media advertisements, local “agents,” and official-sounding advisors whose credentials can be difficult to verify. Plus, the consequences for making the wrong choice when it comes to getting advice can be absolutely dire (since an unethical agent might mean you never get permanent residence in Canada).  

That’s why it’s so important to understand a little more about immigration consulting in Canada. The recent Annual Report from the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (the College) can help you with that.  

Key Takeaways

• The College is Canada’s national regulator for immigration consultants, it licenses and oversees Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs). 

• The 2025 Annual Report offers a detailed portrait of the profession—who these consultants are, how long they have been practising, where they work, and how the disciplinary system functions.  

• For newcomers deciding whether to hire a consultant, this data offers a valuable framework for making informed, confident choices. 

• You can read the report for yourself here.  

How Many Immigration Consultants Are Currently Practising? 

The report highlights that as of June 2025:  

• 11,994 RCICs are in good standing (meaning they’re able to provide advice). 

• 11,733 of these live in Canada, while 261 work internationally. 

• 470 consultants became newly licensed in the past year. 

Worth noting:  

The number of people licensed to give immigration advice outside of Canada really is quite low. If you’re receiving advice from an overseas agency, it’s absolutely crucial to verify that they’re qualified. See our tips below for making that happen.  

Who Are These RCICs? A Demographic Snapshot 

The report offers a demographic overview of who is practising as an RCIC. While these numbers do not tell the full story of the profession, they help newcomers understand the diversity and breadth of the field. 

Preferred Language 

94% work primarily in English 

6% work primarily in French

Given the high emphasis placed on French-speaking immigration in Canada at the moment, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this change in the next few reports.  

Gender 

53% of RCICs are women 

47% are men 

Age 

37% are between 18–39 

53% are between 40–59 

10% are 60+

The profession leans toward mid-career professionals—people who often bring prior experience from education, business, law, or public service before transitioning into immigration consulting. 

A Closer Look at Experience: How Long Have RCICs Been Practising? 

Experience levels among RCICs as of 2025 are as follows: 

54.3% have been practising for 0–4 years 

27.4% have been practising for 5–9 years 

18.3% have 10+ years of experience

The most striking number here is the first: more than half of all RCICs have fewer than four years of practice. 

Should newcomers be cautious about “newer” consultants? 

Not necessarily. A consultant’s length of experience tells only part of the story. Longer practice does not automatically mean better service, nor does shorter practice indicate lower competence. New RCICs must complete the following: 

• a graduate diploma program at Queen’s University or the Université de Montréal, 
• a competency-based licensing exam, 
• a structured new-licensee mentoring program, and 
• ongoing continuing professional development. 

For newcomers evaluating an RCIC, experience should be considered alongside other factors, such as: 

• clear communication, 
• the consultant’s area of focus, 
• transparency in fees, 
• responsiveness, 
• and the absence (or presence) of disciplinary history. 

Where Licensed Consultants Are Located 

RCICs live and work across Canada, with the largest concentrations in: 

Ontario: 5,391 

British Columbia: 2,963 

Alberta: 1,588 

Quebec: 1,097

Internationally, clusters exist in: 

United States (57) 

United Arab Emirates (15) 

India (35) 

China (31) 

Morocco (11) 

and more.

Professional Conduct: How the Regulatory System Works 

Between July 2024 and June 2025: 

• 1,211 new conduct cases were opened, covering everything from communication issues to violations of the Code of Professional Conduct.
• 1,366 cases were closed during the same year.
• 1,375 cases remained open as of June 2025.  

A crucial detail 

Although the overall number of complaints may look high, 68% of open cases were attributable to just 1% of licensees. In other words, most complaints are made against the same people each year.  

This concentration shows that most RCICs do not encounter disciplinary issues. 

Increased transparency benefits the public 

The College has made disciplinary information much easier to access. The Public Register now shows: 

• ongoing disciplinary proceedings,
• past decisions,
• suspensions and revocations,
• the consultant’s current status,
• and authorized contact details.

This shift toward transparency is meaningful for newcomers. You can now verify not just that someone is licensed, but also whether they are currently in good standing, facing active proceedings, or subject to past decisions worth reviewing. 

If someone you are considering has a disciplinary history, read the details carefully. Not all findings carry the same weight—some involve administrative oversights or communication issues, while others may indicate more serious breaches. What matters most is using the available information as part of a balanced assessment. 

The Fight Against Unauthorized Practitioners 

Unauthorized practitioners (UAPs)—people offering immigration services without a licence—pose significant risks to newcomers. They often work through deceptive websites, impersonation, or misleading credentials. 

Over the past year alone the College shut down 5,390 websites and social media pages operated by UAPs. This shows that unauthorized immigration advice is being given – and really often. It’s a huge market – and it’s one you’re best avoiding if you can. Because at the end of the day, you’re responsible for the documents and information you submit to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Doing what your consultant said is not usually an excuse that IRCC accepts if things go wrong.  

How to Verify a Consultant Is Legally Authorized 

For many newcomers, the simplest and most powerful safeguard is making use of the College’s Public Register.  

Every licensed RCIC and RISIA appears here. The listing includes: 

• licence class, 
• status (good standing, suspended, revoked), 
• disciplinary history, 
• authorized contact information, 
• the date they were first licensed. 

The Register is updated continuously and is the official source of truth for a consultant’s status. 

Quick tip: Use only the contact information shown on the Register 

Some unauthorized practitioners impersonate legitimate consultants. Using the Register’s listed phone number or email reduces this risk significantly. 

Check IRCC’s Information for other Immigration Professionals 

Consultants aren’t the only immigration professionals qualified to help you. Lawyers are also able to help.  

You can check IRCC’s website for more information about verifying the credentials and licensing of Canada’s immigration professionals.  

Choosing the Right Consultant: A Balanced Approach 

The immigration consulting profession today is larger, more diverse, and more tightly regulated than ever before. Newcomers evaluating a consultant should consider several factors together: 

Are they licensed and in good standing? 

Do they communicate clearly and professionally? 

Do they have experience in the specific immigration program you need? 

Do they demonstrate transparency in fees and processes? 

Is their disciplinary history clear—or, if not, is it minor, contextual, or concerning? 

Experience can matter, but newer consultants enter the field with competency-based training Meanwhile, longer-practising consultants bring experience and established practice frameworks. Both profiles can serve newcomers well. 

What matters most is choosing someone who is licensed, ethical, communicative, and aligned with your particular immigration needs.