By Nasir Khan, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, RCIC-IRB # R1053580 · PrimeRoute Immigration Consulting Inc
Short answer: yes, you can hire a licensed Canadian immigration consultant from anywhere in the world. Meet them online, confirm their licence on the College’s public register before you pay anything, and get the fee agreement in writing before any work starts.
Most people who apply to come to Canada start their file while living in another country. Time zones, distance and unfamiliar rules can make it hard to know who to trust. This guide walks you through how to find a licensed consultant, how to spot the warning signs, and what a good first consultation should cover.
Step 1: Confirm the consultant is licensed
In Canada, people who give immigration advice for a fee must be licensed. Consultants are regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Licensed consultants are called Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants, or RCICs.
Before you share documents or send a payment:
- Ask for the consultant’s full name and licence number.
- Look them up on the College’s public register at college-ic.ca.
- Check that the name and status on the register match the person you are speaking to.
If a consultant will not give you a licence number, or the register does not show them, do not go ahead.
Step 2: Know what an RCIC can and cannot do
An RCIC can advise you on Canadian immigration and citizenship applications and represent you in dealings with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). That includes assessing your options, preparing your application, and communicating with IRCC on your behalf.
An RCIC cannot give general legal advice outside immigration, and some court matters, such as an appeal to the Federal Court, need a lawyer. A good consultant will tell you early if your situation needs one.
Step 3: Watch for these warning signs
- Guaranteed results. No one can guarantee a visa, permit or approval. Decisions are made by the government.
- Pressure to pay before you have a written agreement. A licensed consultant gives you a written service agreement that sets out the work and the fees.
- No receipts. You should receive a receipt for every payment.
- Someone else doing the work. If the person who advises you is not the person whose licence you checked, ask why.
- Advice to hide or change information. Giving false or misleading information to IRCC can lead to a refusal and a long ban on applying. Walk away from anyone who suggests it.
- Signing blank forms. Never sign a form that is not complete.
Step 4: Know what a good first consultation looks like
A first consultation, usually online by video or phone, should leave you clearer than when you started. Expect:
- An honest assessment. The consultant should explain your options, including when you are not yet eligible.
- A plain explanation of the process. Steps, what you will need, and where mistakes commonly happen.
- A realistic plan. What to do next, and in what order.
- The fee agreement in writing before any paid work begins.
Step 5: Prepare before you book
You will get more from a 30-minute consultation if you arrive with the basics:
- Your country of citizenship and where you live now.
- Your education and work history, in outline.
- Your language test results, if you have taken a test.
- Any past refusals or immigration history in any country.
- Family members who might apply with you, or who live in Canada.
- Your top two or three questions.
Do not send passport numbers, ID scans or payment card details by email or chat. A responsible consultant will give you a secure way to share documents once you become a client.
Working across time zones
Online consultations make distance much less of a problem. When you book, choose the video or phone platform you prefer, and check the consultant’s hours against your own time zone so the call lands at a sensible hour for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be in Canada to hire an RCIC?
No. Many people hire a Canadian consultant while living in another country, and consultations can be held by video or phone.
How do I know a consultant is real?
Check the name and licence number on the College’s public register at college-ic.ca, and confirm the person you speak to is the person on the register.
Can a consultant guarantee my application will be approved?
No. Immigration decisions are made by government authorities. A consultant who promises a guaranteed result is a warning sign.
Should I pay before I get an agreement?
You should have a written service agreement that explains the work and the fees before paid work begins, and you should receive a receipt for what you pay.
What if I cannot afford a full service yet?
A short paid consultation is a lower-cost way to find out where you stand and what the next steps are, before deciding on anything larger.
Related: see how we work, see the booking details, or learn how to spot immigration fraud.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a 30-minute online consultation with Nasir Khan, RCIC-IRB # R1053580. You will get an honest look at your options, including when you are not yet eligible.
This article is general information, not legal or individual immigration advice. Immigration decisions are made by government authorities such as IRCC, and no consultant can guarantee a result. Rules change, so confirm current requirements on the official IRCC website before you act.