How to Verify an Immigration Consultant Is Licensed in Canada (2026)
Only RCICs, immigration lawyers, and Quebec notaries can legally charge for immigration advice in Canada. To verify an RCIC, search the CICC public register at college-ic.ca or use the free immi.directory verification tool — no account required. If their status shows “Eligible to Provide Service” they are authorised; if they are not listed or marked “NOT Eligible”, they are not licensed and you should not pay them.
Who Is Legally Allowed to Charge for Immigration Advice in Canada?
In Canada, only three types of professionals can legally charge fees for immigration advice:
- RCICs (Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants) — regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)
- Immigration lawyers — regulated by provincial law societies
- Quebec notaries — regulated by the Chambre des notaires du Québec
Everyone else — including people calling themselves “immigration consultants”, “visa specialists”, or “migration advisors” — cannot legally charge you for immigration help, even if they claim to have experience or connections. Operating without a licence is an offence under section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), and using an unlicensed adviser can put your application at risk of refusal.
Step 1 — Find the Consultant's CICC College ID
Every licensed RCIC has a college ID number. Ask your consultant for it directly. It usually appears as:
- An “R-number” (for example, R711653) on their business card
- Their email signature
- Their letterhead or website
- Any document they give you
If they cannot provide a college ID, they are not licensed and you should not engage them. A legitimate RCIC will happily share this number — it proves they are qualified.
Step 2 — Search the CICC Public Register (college-ic.ca)
Go to college-ic.ca/Public-Register-EN. You will see a search box. Enter either:
- The consultant's college ID number (R-number), or
- The consultant's full legal name
The register is free to search and you do not need to create an account.
Step 3 — Use the immi.directory Verification Tool
You can also use our verification tool to search both the CICC (Canada) and OMARA (Australia) registers in one place. Visit the immi.directory verification tool and enter the consultant's name. We sync the official registers weekly, so you get current information with no delay.
What “Eligible to Provide Service” Means (and What the Other Statuses Mean)
When you find the consultant in the CICC register, look at the status field:
- ✓ Eligible to Provide Service
- The consultant is currently licensed and can legally charge you for immigration advice and representation. This is the only status that means “licensed and active”.
- ✗ NOT Eligible to Provide Service
- The consultant is not currently licensed, or their licence is suspended or revoked. They cannot legally charge you. Do not engage them.
- ? No result at all
- If the person does not appear in the register, they have never been licensed as an RCIC. This is a serious red flag — they may be operating illegally.
What to Do If They Are Not on the Register
If the consultant is not listed, or their status is “NOT Eligible to Provide Service”:
- Stop all contact immediately. Do not pay them.
- If you have already paid them, request your documents back in writing and ask for an itemised refund of all fees.
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Report them to:
- CICC (if they claimed to be an RCIC): college-ic.ca
- CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency): cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- Local police or the RCMP
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to check an immigration consultant's licence?
Yes — the CICC register at college-ic.ca is free to search with no account required.
What does “Eligible to Provide Service” mean?
The consultant is currently licensed and authorised to charge fees for immigration advice and representation in Canada.
Can I trust someone who says they are “CICC-accredited” but isn't on the register?
No. “CICC-accredited” is not a recognised credential. The only valid status is “Eligible to Provide Service” on the official CICC register. Anyone who is not listed cannot legally charge you for immigration advice.
What if the person's status is “NOT Eligible to Provide Service”?
They cannot legally charge you for immigration advice or representation. Do not engage them. If you have already paid them, contact CBSA or local police.
How quickly is the CICC register updated?
The CICC keeps its public register up to date as licence statuses change. immi.directory refreshes its copy of the register weekly.