Canada strengthens regulation of immigration and citizenship consultants

Current rules

New regulations enhance the oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants. These measures allow the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to strengthen its complaints and discipline process, including through increased penalties for consultants who break the rules. They require more information on the College’s public register of licensed consultants (beginning April 2027), add new reporting requirements for the College, improve the College’s investigation process by clarifying rules, give the minister power to appoint someone to take over board duties if the board fails, and establish guidelines for the College’s compensation fund for victims of financial loss caused by dishonest acts.

Overview

The Government of Canada has announced new regulations to strengthen the oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants. These regulations, effective 15 July 2026, empower the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to improve its disciplinary processes, increase penalties for rule-breakers, and enhance transparency. The goal is to protect individuals seeking immigration and citizenship advice from fraud and misconduct.

What changed in the latest version

This policy change is important. It aims to protect people better who want immigration and citizenship advice in Canada. The government will make supervision of consultants stronger. It will also make consultants more accountable. This should reduce fraud and bad behaviour. It will help applicants get more reliable and clear services. Higher penalties and a compensation fund address worries about dishonest representatives. They offer a way for people who lose money to get help. These actions aim to make people trust the immigration and citizenship consulting system more.

Explained simply

Imagine you're getting help with your immigration paperwork. Sometimes, the people who offer this help might not be doing a good job or might even try to trick you. Canada is putting new rules in place to make sure these helpers (called consultants) are honest and follow the rules. If they don't, they'll face bigger fines, and there will be a fund to help people who lose money because of bad consultants. This makes it safer for everyone who needs immigration advice.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v1Effective 15 Jul 2026AnnouncementHigh impact
   Canada strengthens regulation of immigration and citizenship consultants

   Canada is putting new rules in place. These rules start on 15 July 2026. They will make the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants stronger. The College will improve how it handles complaints and punishes consultants who break rules. Penalties for consultants will be higher. Also, the public list of licensed consultants will show more details starting April 2027. The College will have to report more information. Rules for a fund to pay back people who lose money will be set up. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship can step in and take over the College's board duties if needed.

Timeline

1. Takes effect

   15 Jul 2026

   New regulations enhance the oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants. These measures allow the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to strengthen its complaints and discipline process, including through increased penalties for consultants who break the rules. They require more information on the College’s public register of licensed consultants (beginning April 2027), add

2. Announced

   6 May 2026

   The Government of Canada has announced new regulations to strengthen the oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants. These regulations, effective 15 July 2026, empower the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to improve its disciplinary processes, increase penalties for rule-breakers, and enhance transparency. The goal is to protect individuals seeking immigration and citi