The Role of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs)
If you want to study, work or live in Canada, an RCIC can help and support you. Once you are in Canada, an RCIC can also help you with citizenship applications, family sponsorship applications, visitor visas, detention reviews, or study permits.
RCICs in Canada and around the world help by:
- Explaining immigration and citizenship options
- Choosing the best program for you
- Filling out and submitting your immigration or citizenship application
- Communicating with the Government of Canada on your behalf
- Representing you in an immigration or citizenship application or hearing*
*An RCIC must have an RCIC-IRB class of licence to represent you before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
The Role of Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs)
A RISIA is an international student advisor (ISA) licensed by the College. RISIAs are employed in the Canadian education sector and can provide immigration advice to international students and their dependents about:
- Study permits
- Temporary resident visas
- Study permits related to other permits currently available in Canadian immigration programs
RISIAs are not authorized to represent you in an immigration or citizenship case or complete immigration forms for you. For these services, you will require an RCIC.
Standards for RCICs and RISIAs
All RCICs and RISIAs must meet the following standards to become licensees of the College and remain in good standing.
RCICs must:
Upon passing the Entry-to-Practice Exam (EPE), applicants have 120 calendar days to apply for licensing before their exam results expire. After submitting their application for licensing, applicants have an additional 182 calendar days to submit supporting documents on the College Portal.
The following supporting documents will be required:
1. Valid Police Certificate: Applicants must provide a valid police certificate for all jurisdictions in which they have lived for more than 6 months since the age of 18. Applicants who are Canadian residents must submit an original RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check with fingerprints issued within 1 year of the licence application. Applicants who are not Canadian residents must provide a national-level police certificate with fingerprints, from the country within which they reside.
2. Business Name Selection Form: Applicants will be required to complete the Business Name Selection Form on the College Portal. All business names must be in accordance with the guidelines in the Business and Business Name Registration Regulation.
3. Letter of Employment: Applicants must complete a Letter of Employment, which is available on the College Portal. The Letter of Employment must be currently dated on a company letterhead by the immediate supervisor or the company’s HR personnel. It should include the applicant’s name, date of hire, job title, and a summary of job duties and responsibilities that show the position is immigration-related.
4. Scanned copy of a valid government-issued photo identification (ID): Accepted forms of government-issued photo ID include, valid Canadian or foreign passport, valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card or valid Certificate of Indian Status issued by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), valid driver’s licence (for Quebec residents only: as Quebec does not issue a non-driver's identification card, both sides of a valid provincial health card are accepted).
Further details about licensing requirements will be emailed directly to applicants after they have passed the EPE.
RISIAs must:
Upon passing the Entry-to-Practice Exam (EPE), RISIA applicants have 182 calendar days to apply for licensing before their exam results expire. After submitting the application for licensing, they have an additional 182 calendar days to submit any supporting documents on the College Portal.
The following supporting documents will be required:
1. Valid Police Certificate: Applicants must submit an original RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check with fingerprints issued within 1 year of the licence application.
2. Letter of Employment: A Letter of Employment (from the applicant’s employer or prospective employer) or Current Confirmation of Employment as an International Student Advisor in the Education Sector. The letter must be on an institutional letterhead signed by the immediate supervisor or the Designated Learning Institution’s HR personnel.
3. Scanned copy of a valid government-issued photo ID: Accepted forms of government-issued photo ID include, valid Canadian or foreign passport, valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card or valid Certificate of Indian Status issued by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), valid driver’s licence (for Quebec residents only: as Quebec does not issue a non-driver's identification card, both sides of a valid provincial health card are accepted).
Further details about licensing requirements will be emailed directly to applicants after they have passed the EPE.