Canada regulates immigration consultants tighter amid fraud concerns and client skepticism

Canada overhauled the way immigration consultants are regulated, effective July 16, amid skepticism that the new rules won't do much to protect immigrants from fraud.

Ottawa announced the regulations in May, promising to "enhance oversight" and "reinforce the role" of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). The measures aim to improve transparency in misconduct investigations, give the CICC the power to impose increased penalties for consultants who break the rules, and create a compensation fund for complainants.

The move comes as recent immigration fraud cases, including a scheme targeting international students in Ontario, have involved registered consultants. Abhishek, an Indian national who says he was scammed by one, told OMNI News that consultants are not serving their proper role. "They need to guide people, but instead … they are selling their products." Abhishek came to Canada in 2022, but when he turned to an immigration consultant for help, he said he was asked to pay up to $100,000 for a way to stay in the country. "Sometimes I feel really sad that I have no options left," he said.

Eoin Logan, a civil litigation lawyer in British Columbia who represents clients filing complaints against consultants through the CICC, told OMNI News that complainants often feel discouraged and afraid to come forward. "They are also afraid of filing these complaints because they are afraid that there is going to be some backlash in terms of their immigration," he said. Logan cited one case in which a consultant filed a fraud tip against her own clients.

Still, Logan is hopeful the new regulations will have a positive impact. He questioned why the CICC is not using powers it already has, including the ability to audit consultants before a complaint is filed. "It's what I like to call the $24-million question," he said, referring to the CICC's annual budget. "If the College isn't exercising these powers, is it because they don't have the budget to do it?"

According to CICC data, between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the College heard 1,211 new complaints but took only 15 disciplinary actions. The year before, that number was down to 11.

The compensation fund could be significant, Logan said, though it remains unclear whether it will effectively let victims recover losses incurred due to a consultant's misconduct.