Citizenzenship or immigration consultants must be a member of the College of immigration and Citizenzenship Consultants

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Becoming a citizen or permanent resident in Canada is really complicated and stressful. Thus, more than many others, a lot of people seek the help of an immigration consultant or a citizenship expert. But not all consultants are authorized to provide legal advice or represent the clients before any court or tribunal in relation to immigration matters.

The regulatory body mandates that immigration and citizenship consultants from the country are in affiliation with The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) these consultants are expected to adhere to the professional ethics standards. This institution enforces only qualified, trained, and licensed professionals represent clients through the process of Canadian immigration and citizenship.

We discuss why it's critical to work with a license consultant, what membership in CICC means and how to verify if a consultant is authorized or not.

 

What is the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)?

The CICC is a governing body that oversees all immigration and citizenship consultants in Canada. Formed in 2021 after taking over the role of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council, which became defunct, the college was set up to ensure more effective regulation of the immigration consulting profession. The college licenses consultants, forms professional standards, and enforces standards against those who violate these standards.

The objectives of the CICC are as listed below:

• Protect the clients against fraud and unethical practices.
• Immigration consultants be able to operate in line with the Canadian Immigration laws.
• Professional development and training of the consultants.
• Investigation and discipline of consultants involved in misconduct.

 

Why Do Immigration Consultants Have to be Members of the CICC?

Immigration and citizenship matters are legally procedural processes that are stringently regulated. Using a consultant who is not licensed or not a member of the CICC can result in more problems like rejection of the application, delays, or even a law case. Here's why consultants need to be members of the CICC:

Legal Powers to Represent Clients

The CICC, a provincial or territorial law society, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec authorizes all those who wish to charge for the representation and advice of individuals in matters dealing with an application to immigrate to, remain or stay in Canada. A consultant who is not a member of the CICC cannot render paid immigration services such as advice, documentation and representation.

 

An unauthorized representative may engage in the following:

• Fraudulent activities that include false information.
• Applications denied for not having been prepared in the right manner.
• Poor or ineffective communication with the Canadian authorities of immigration.

All registered members of CICC are trained and come under the mandate of law to act on your behalf in the matters of permanent residency, visa applications, and citizenship.

 

Ethics and Professionalism

To be a member of the CICC, the consultant is ensured and strictly held to the highest principles of ethics. The college states rules for every member to follow which, among others, includes the CICC Code of Professional Conduct. that incorporates:

• It functions with integrity while dealing with the clients and the authorities.
• It provides a fee structure that is fairly transparent.
• Privacy and protection of client information
• Constant professional development to keep themselves updated in immigration law

These make sure that the clients stay away from unethical as well as fraudulent practices that lead to handling applications unprofessionally .

 

Accountability and Recourse for Clients

The hiring advantage of a consultant registered with CICC should be the accountability commitment to be maintained intact. Any derogatory activity by a consultant results in violation of professional standards of CICC, which enables the clients to file complaints against the consultant, and CICC investigates and exercises disciplinary action at the level of monetary fines, suspension of license or even revoking the membership.

Such a system of accountability affords the assurance that in the event of disagreements or misconduct, clients would have a recourse, and by such, it can be considered a safer option for applicants.

 

Experienced and Knowledgeable in Laws and Jurisprudence on Immigration of Canada

Not surprisingly, the Canadian immigration laws often change, and if anyone wishes to offer immigration services, then he has to keep himself updated about them. Member consultants have to undergo very aggressive training programs and clear qualifying exams to ensure that they are properly aware of immigration laws and procedures.

In addition, the members of CICC should undergo **Continuing Professional Development (CPD)** courses to ensure proper knowledge about the legal changes. It ensures that consultants are updated and could provide the best and most current advice from time to time while dealing with immigration matters for their clients.

 

How to Verify if a Consultant is a Member of the CICC

Before hiring an immigration consultant, it is essential to confirm their membership with the CICC. This process is simple and ensures that you are dealing with an authorized representative. Here’s how to verify a consultant’s status:

Use the CICC Public Register

The CICC’s public register is a searchable database of all licensed consultants in Canada. You can search by the consultant’s name, registration number, or location. If the consultant is listed in the public register, they are authorized to provide immigration and citizenship services.

If the consultant’s name does not appear in the register, they are not authorized by the CICC to represent clients.

Ask for Proof of Membership

Consultants should be transparent about their qualifications and CICC membership. Before signing any contracts or paying fees, ask for the consultant’s CICC registration number. Legitimate consultants will provide this information without hesitation, allowing you to verify their credentials on the CICC website.

Beware of Fraudulent Consultants

Unfortunately, immigration fraud is a common problem in Canada. Unauthorized individuals may pose as consultants or offer immigration services without the necessary qualifications. Some warning signs of fraudulent representatives include:

• Unsolicited offers of immigration assistance via social media or email.
• Promises of success or assurance that they will speed up the application.
• Vague, overstated fees and no written agreement.
• No verifiable membership  with the CICC or any other regulatory bodies.

 

Consequences of Hiring an Unauthorized Consultant

Using an unauthorized consultant may lead to results as serious as having the application rejected. Another time you waste by using an unauthorized consultant is in case of errors in your application or communication breakdown with the immigration officers.

• Applications rejected : Applications by unauthorized consultants may end up being faulty documents or missing information to ensure rejection.
• Delayed applications : Errors in your application or failure by the consultant to communicate effectively with the immigration officers wastes time.
• Legal issues : The worst case is a claim of fraud to which you are likely to lose your future as you will be banned from Canada.

So it becomes very vital that you ensure that the consultant you hire is a member of the CICC. To an authoritative program check out.

 

Benefits of Seeking a CICC-Registered Consultant

You derive numerous benefits by consulting a member of the CICC as an immigration consultant:

• Peace of mind : You are assured of your representative's qualification and that he or she is legally authorized to perform in your representation.
• Ethical conduct : Consultants who work under CICC are subjected to the rules of a professional code in regard to conduct. You are assured, therefore, of fair and honest services.
• Protection against fraud : You will be engaging a licensed consultant who has largely reduced the risk of falling into scams or fraudulent practices.
• Access to recourse : It gives you avenues in case things do not seem right. It gives you an opportunity to appeal in case of a problem.

You will work with an authorized member of the CICC that will give you an opportunity to proceed confidently through the immigration process in Canada.