The College sets entry requirements to the profession. These entry requirements no longer include Canadian citizenship or permanent residence (PR) to be licensed as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA).
Here is why
The Canadian citizenship/PR requirement was a condition imposed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (Council) in 2011, at the time of its designation as the regulator for immigration consultants according to paragraph 91(2)(c) of the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
The requirement was not included in the
College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (Canada) and was removed by the College when it became the new regulator on November 23, 2021 (note that the College Act does require that individuals be Canadian citizens or PRs to be eligible to sit on the College Board of Directors).
Recent court decisions involving professional regulators and the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms have consistently struck down citizenship requirements imposed on licensees.
Ensuring proper competency
Regardless of their citizenship/PR status, licensing applicants must meet the academic requirements of the accredited Graduate Diploma Program offered by Queen’s University and Université de Montréal; complete the Program; and successfully pass the Entry-to-Practice Exam.
Licensees also must comply with the
Code of Professional Conduct (established by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship) and complete Practice Management Education (PME) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Those who do not comply will be suspended or revoked and their status updated on the public register.
Questions?
Please email us at
communications@college-ic.ca