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General Information about Representatives

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) cannot recommend representatives or vouch for their honesty or skills.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your paid representative is authorized.

You should not be afraid to ask the representative for references and proof of membership in the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, a Canadian law society or the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

• Beware of a representative who promises that you will get a visa, obtain citizenship or get special treatment from the Canadian government by using the representative’s services. CIC is not associated with any representatives.
• Be cautious when dealing with foreign-based representatives. Such companies or individuals may be outside the reach of Canadian law.

1) Dealing with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) through a representative

The following points may help you when dealing with a representative.

CIC must be informed in order to release information to your representative. You may complete the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476B) to provide your authorization.

• Your visa application includes a section for a mailing address. If you choose to give your authorized representative’s address, all correspondence from CIC, including notices for interviews, requests for information, medical forms and visas, will be sent to this representative.
• If you change representatives or stop using their services, you must cancel your authorization in writing to CIC. If you do not, CIC will continue dealing with them.
• If you hire a new authorized representative, you will need to inform CIC.
• Make sure that the representative who helps you with your application is willing to be identified as your representative and is authorized.

2) Information given to CIC must be truthful

Make sure that all the information that you submit to CIC is correct.

Submitting false or misleading information to CIC may lead to:

• refusal of your application;
• cancellation of your visa;
• revocation of your citizenship;
• your deportation from Canada; and
• criminal charges being laid against you.

You are responsible for any documents you, or your representative, submit to CIC.

3) What to do if you have a dispute with your representative

CIC cannot help you if you have a dispute with your representative. This is a matter between you and your representative.

If your representative is a member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants and is practicing in Canada or abroad

Address your complaint to the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants. The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants has a code of conduct to protect consumers and rules for disciplining their members.

If your representative is a consultant practicing in Canada and does not belong to the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants

Address your complaint to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in the province or territory where your representative works. The BBB might contact your representative to try to resolve the issue.

Please note, if you have an application or proceeding already underway as of April 13, 2004, you may continue to use your paid representative until April 13, 2008.

After April 13, 2008, your paid representative must be a member of one of these organizations:

• the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants;
• a Canadian law society or students-at-law under the lawyer’s supervision; or
• the Chambre des notaires du Québec or students-at-law under the notary’s supervision.

If the paid representative is not authorized, you may choose to either continue unrepresented or to hire an authorized representative.

If your representative’s place of business is outside Canada

If your representative is an agent for a member of one of the designated organizations, you may address your complaint to the representative’s professional association:

• the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants;
• the appropriate Canadian law society; or
• the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

If your representative is not authorized, present your complaint to the appropriate authorities overseas.

If your representative is a Canadian lawyer or notary practicing in Canada

Address your complaint to the Canadian law society to which the lawyer is a member, or to the Chambre des notaires du Québec. These organizations have codes of conduct to protect consumers and rules for disciplining their members.

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