How to Complain About an Immigration Consultant in Canada

Two Situations — Licensed RCIC or Unlicensed Person

Before you complain, determine whether the person is licensed or unlicensed. Search the CICC public register at college-ic.ca/Public-Register-EN.

• Licensed (status: "Eligible to Provide Service"): File a complaint with CICC.
• Unlicensed or "NOT Eligible to Provide Service": Report them to CBSA or police.

Route 1: Complaining to CICC (For Licensed RCICs)

What You Can Complain About

CICC investigates complaints about:

• Negligence or incompetence (e.g., missed deadlines, filed wrong form, failed to disclose key information)
• Breach of the Code of Professional Conduct (e.g., no written agreement, overcharging, withholding documents)
• Dishonesty or fraud
• Conflict of interest not disclosed
• Sexual harassment or verbal abuse
• Money handling violations (not using trust account)

How to File

Go to college-ic.ca and find the complaints section. You can:

• Fill out an online complaint form
• Email [email protected]
• Mail a written complaint to CICC

There is no fee to file a complaint.

What You Need to Include

Provide:

• The RCIC's full name and college ID number
• Your full name and contact information
• Dates of the events you're complaining about
• A clear description of what happened and what went wrong
• Copies of relevant documents (emails, agreements, receipts, forms)
• What outcome you're seeking (e.g., refund, CICC investigation)

Be factual and specific. Emotional or vague complaints are harder for CICC to investigate.

What CICC Investigates

CICC's investigators will:

• Contact you for more information and documents
• Request the RCIC's response
• Review the file and the agreement
• Determine whether a breach of the Code occurred

Possible Outcomes

If CICC finds that the RCIC breached the Code, possible sanctions include:

Reprimand

A formal written warning, published on the CICC discipline register

Financial penalty

A monetary penalty, paid into the College's compensation fund

Conditions on practice

Restrictions on what the RCIC can do (e.g., mandatory supervision, no trust account authority)

Suspension

Temporary removal from the register (e.g., 6 months to 2 years)

Revocation

Permanent removal from the register; the RCIC can no longer practise

All discipline outcomes are public and appear on the CICC discipline register.

Route 2: Reporting an Unlicensed Person (Ghost Consultant)

If the person is not on the CICC register or is marked "NOT Eligible to Provide Service", they are operating illegally. Report them to:

• CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency): cbsa-asfc.gc.ca — has a reporting form for immigration fraud and unlicensed consultants
• IRCC Fraud Line: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/protect-fraud.html
• Local police or RCMP: File a report at your local police station

Provide the same documentation you would for a CICC complaint: dates, description, documents, and the person's contact information if available.

Evidence to Gather Before You Complain

Collect all documentation related to your case:

• The written service agreement (if you have one)
• Invoices and payment receipts
• Email correspondence
• Text messages or WhatsApp conversations
• Copies of forms the consultant prepared or submitted
• Correspondence from IRCC or government agencies
• Any written promises or guarantees the consultant made

If you don't have originals, take screenshots of digital communications. Save everything in date order in a folder.