Last Updated On 10 February 2023, 10:22 AM EST (Toronto Time)

There are two intriguing questions from our readers “how to become RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant)” OR “Why to hire an RCIC.”

Here is an answer to both of the questions. This will help understand you the extensive procedure that needs to be followed by an individual to become an RCIC.

And, the very essential reason, why you should not apply visa through unauthorized consultants.

What Is An RCIC?

RCIC is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant who is legally authorized by Canadian regulatory body, CICC (College of Immigration Consultant & Citizenship) to provide immigration and visa services for a reasonable fees. CICC replaced ICCRC in November 2021.

RCICs can simply provide you an advise on your immigration options and can also apply visa applications on your behalf.

Furthermore, they can represent you in an immigration hearing at Immigration Division and Immigration Appeal Division of Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

How To Become RCIC ?

This is exactly the reason why you should hire an RCIC, rather than non-RCICs or unauthorized consultants/travel agents. An individual needs to go through extensive study of immigration law and then clear an exam to become an RCIC.

Following are the basic requirements to even sit in an exam for RCIC:

CLB level 9 in language equivalency test (IELTS, CAEL, CELPIP, TEF, TCF). Click here for language equivalency chart.
You need to be Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Complete a graduate diploma program delivered by Queen’s University or the Université de Montréal or the former Immigration Practitioner Program (by December 31, 2022).
Minimum qualification to get admission in diploma program is a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university (or equivalent institution).
Total tuition for the program is currently $14,167 and above (This might be more now).

‘Ghost’ Immigration Consultants On The Rise Across Canada

Steps After Completing The Exam

Additionally, after clearing the difficult exam, an individual needs to fulfil a lot of requirements before practicing as an RCIC.

After completing the diploma program, you will need to appear through an RCIC-Entry to practice exam which uses modified Angoff method of grading.

Furthermore, after clearing the exam and becoming an RCIC, they have to comply with multiple mandatory requirement throughout their career.

Apart from this, there is annual fee of $1,809 that needs to be paid every year. One of the requirement that we found useful for applicants is to:

Complete 16 hours of Continuing Professional Development every year. This means they have to revise their knowledge of immigration law or any new changes that might have occurred in a year.
RCICs need to sign a retainer agreement with their clients enlisting all the duties and responsibility they will be performing.
RCICs are not allowed to give 100% guarantee of visa to just sign up the client since it’s totally at the discretion of IRCC visa officer.
They cannot imply that they have special influence at IRCC and get you visa faster than others.
You can complain against an RCIC if you suspect any wrongdoing to CICC and they will investigate it, and if proven, RCIC will have to face the consequences.

Also, there is a full list of Code_of_Professional ethics that they have to comply with. Failing which, they may have to face the consequences by CICC.

Understanding The Importance Of Your Decision

Above mentioned reasons makes it important that you hire an RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant), rather than unauthorized consultants.

However, there are a lot of applicants within India who apply for Canada and they get struck with fancy visa consultants.

They use the same format for all the applications, but it results in refusal for some and approval for some.

There is never a fit-for-all approach for immigration to Canada. So, who would you choose?

A person licensed by CICC and having extensive knowledge of Immigration law

A person who just registered their private limited company and hired fancy staff with lavish office setting with no to minimal knowledge of immigration law.