Immigration Representatives
Under the new regulations for immigration representatives as defined by the federal
government on April 14, 2004, the
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
will recognize only those representatives who are members of a self-regulating association.
Under the new regulations, only the following people may act as
paid representatives:
- Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.
- Lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian law society and students-at-law under their supervision.
- Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Quebec and students-in-law under their supervision.
Note: Qualified representatives must provide "proof of good standing".
The
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
and the Government of Canada does not oblige anyone
to have a representative. Furthermore, the regulations do not apply to friends, family members or organizations
that do not charge a fee for providing advice and services.
Note: No one is obliged to hire an immigration consultant or a lawyer to make a visa application to
Canada. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada treats all matters equally
whether a representative is present or not.
The regulations affect individuals who pay a representative to provide advice and assistance on immigration
with the
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
For more information on these regulations, please go to
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (
www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/consultants/index.html).