If you are planning to move to Canada, you may need the help of an immigration consultant to assist you in navigating the country’s complex immigration processes.
Immigration consultants are very helpful when it comes to moving from one country to another especially when you meet a consultant who specializes in the country you intend to move to, they can help with visa application, securing accommodation for you when you arrive, and helping you settle in your new home.
If you encounter any issues with immigration authorities, they can also help you resolve them, they are that helpful.
But there is one problem you are likely going to encounter when working with immigration consultants which is, how to know a registered immigration consultant.
Not all immigration consultants are genuine, most of them are not registered so when you work with those who are not registered – they are not genuine, you end up receiving the wrong advice.
Finding a registered immigration consultant is crucial to ensure you receive accurate and reliable advice but how do you check them to know that they are registered? I will show you how in this guide.
How to check registered immigration consultants in Canada
To check a registered immigration consultant in Canada, you need the consultant’s details, the complete, accurate name of the consultant as it appears on their official documents, the official business address of the consultant, and the business address that the consultant operates from.
With these details, you can use any of the methods below to verify if they are registered or not.
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Verify their RCIC Membership
The first method you can use to check a registered immigration consultant in Canada is to check if the consultant is a member of RCIC.
The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) regulates and licenses immigration consultants in Canada.
They maintain a comprehensive member directory on their website. This directory can help you carry out your check.
You can check the status of a consultant’s membership on the ICCRC website by using their full name or their RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) number.
This is an easy and direct way to confirm their current status as a registered consultant in Canada.
To do this:
- Visit the official ICCRC website (www.iccrc-crcic.ca).
- Navigate to the “Find an Immigration Professional” section.
- Enter the consultant’s full name or their RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) number.
- The search results will display the consultant’s name and status – ensure it shows “Active.” You can find more on how to do this by clicking here to read the “How to know if an immigration consultant is registered with the ICCRC” guide.
If you cannot find your immigration consultant’s name and details on the ICCRC website, your consultant is likely not registered and you should be careful working with them.
If you find them on the website, make sure that their address (the business address in their official documents) is consistent with the information listed on their ICCRC membership certificate.
If you have any doubts or concerns about the consultant’s authenticity, you can contact the ICCRC directly.
They will be able to verify the individual’s credentials and confirm your consultant’s membership status.
You can reach out to them via email or phone, if you are looking for their contact information, it is on their official website.
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Confirm their identity
Another way to confirm if your immigration consultant is registered in Canada is to check their government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
When you find it make sure that the name on their identification matches the name on their ICCRC membership certificate.
If the name doesn’t match then they are likely not registered and should not be trusted.
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Check their professional history
Another way you can know if you should trust your immigration consultant is by checking your consultant’s professional history and experience.
You should consider doing some thorough background research. You can check for online reviews, testimonials, and ratings on platforms like Google, Yelp, or specialized immigration forums.
When you read other people’s experiences with your consultant, it can give you valuable insights into the consultant’s reputation.
You will know what to expect from them, the kind of services they have rendered, and what you should expect to receive when you start working with them.
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Ask for references
A lot of folks don’t do this but you should do it, don’t hesitate to ask the immigration consultant for references from previous clients.
A reputable consultant will be willing to provide you with the contact information of customers they have worked with before you, you can reach out to those customers and know how they feel about the consultant’s service.
Trust your gut feeling
I know not everyone believes in this (gut feeling) but I do, so pardon me if you don’t, if you are working with an immigration consultant and something doesn’t feel right or you have any reservations about a consultant, it’s perfectly acceptable to seek out a different consultant.
If you don’t feel okay working with someone, especially someone you are paying for their services, it’s fine to let them go, look for someone you are very fine to work with.
Your immigration journey is too important to leave in the hands of someone you’re not comfortable with.
How much does a Canadian immigration consultant cost?
The cost of hiring a Canadian immigration consultant depends on the services you want the consultant to carry out for you, generally, you can expect to pay more than $500 for the least immigration services.
Conclusion
If you are considering migrating to Canada, getting an immigration consultant is a good idea, they can help make the process very easy for you but ensure you pick a registered immigration consultant.
You can use any of the methods we explained here to check if your immigration consultant is registered in Canada, if they are not registered, you should discontinue any deals with them and pick another registered immigration consultant.
Working with a consultant who is not registered is not advisable, they can’t be trusted to give the right advice.
By following the steps in this guide and conducting due diligence, you can ensure that you’re working with a registered and reputable immigration consultant who will help you achieve your Canadian dream.