How to Choose a Regulated Immigration Consultant for an H&C Application
Updated: 2 days ago
The short answer: You do not have to hire anyone to apply for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds. If you do hire help for a fee, IRCC says the person must be a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), a provincial or territorial law society, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec. You can check a consultant on the CICC Public Register. Look for an "Active" status and "Yes" under "Entitled to Practise." Then ask clear questions and get a written contract before you pay.
Do I need a representative for an H&C application?
No. IRCC says using a representative is your choice, and the forms and instructions are free on the Government of Canada website. H&C is an exceptional measure and the decision is discretionary, so some people want help. That is a personal decision.
Who can charge a fee to help?
IRCC says it will not deal with a representative who charges a fee and is not one of these:
A member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (consultants, called RCICs)
A member of a provincial or territorial law society (lawyers)
A member of the Chambre des notaires du Québec (notaries)
IRCC's pages also mention paralegals in Ontario, who must be members of the Law Society of Ontario. IRCC says anyone you pay or compensate in any way must be authorized, and that it may return or refuse an application if you hire an unauthorized paid representative. The CICC says travel agents, labour recruiters and educational agents may offer immigration help alongside other services, but in most cases they are not authorized to provide immigration services. The CICC also notes that the only immigration consultants who can advise for a fee are its licensees, who include RCICs and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs). RISIAs advise only international students and their dependants.
How do I check a licence on the CICC public register?
Go to the CICC Public Register.
Search for the consultant by name.
Check the Status. It should say "Active."
Check Entitled to Practise (the register may label this column "Entitlement to Practise"). It should say "Yes."
Check the licence Type. The CICC says the licence class, from L1 to L5, sets the scope of practice, and that some licensees are authorized only for certain services. Make sure the licensee is authorized for the service you need, and that you are looking at the RCIC list, not the RISIA list.
Look for any restriction listed beside the status, such as "Active – Practice Restricted."
Contact the consultant using the details on the register, not details given to you by someone else.
The CICC also publishes separate lists of current proceedings and past decisions. If a name is not on the register, you can check the Government of Canada site to see whether another body authorizes the person.
What questions should I ask?
IRCC and the CICC suggest asking about the following. The second item is our own suggestion, not an IRCC or CICC requirement.
Training and experience. Ask about training, experience, references and how long the person has been in business.
Their work on H&C files (our suggestion). H&C is a narrow area. Ask how they approach evidence and what information they will need from you.
Who does the work. If someone says they work with an RCIC, ask that RCIC directly.
Services and fees. The written contract should list every service and the agreed fee. The CICC says not to pay until you have signed a service agreement.
Updates. Ask how often you will hear about your file.
Access to your documents. Ask for copies of anything prepared for you.
Ask your questions freely. IRCC warns against representatives who will not answer them.
What are the warning signs?
IRCC and the CICC warn about the following:
The person is not on the Public Register.
Someone suggests or encourages you to give false information. This is against the law and can have serious results.
You are asked to sign blank forms or documents you cannot read.
Someone claiming to be from IRCC asks you to deposit money into a personal bank account or send it through a private money transfer company. IRCC says it will never ask for either.
You are asked to pay before you have checked their licence or signed an agreement.
The offer sounds too good to be true.
Get a signed receipt each time you pay, and keep copies of your documents. If you hire a representative, IRCC uses the form "Use of a Representative" (IMM 5476) so you can name them.
What can an RCIC do, and what about Federal Court?
An RCIC can advise you and deal with IRCC on your behalf, within the scope of their licence. An RCIC cannot represent you in Federal Court. The Federal Court says you may represent yourself or have a lawyer represent you, and that a citizenship or immigration consultant or any other non-lawyer may neither represent you nor give legal advice about your court case. A lawyer representing you must be a member in good standing of a law society in Canada. The Court may allow a non-lawyer to represent you only in special circumstances, by motion.
This matters because IRCC says there is no right to appeal a refused H&C application. One option may be judicial review at the Federal Court, and the deadline is very short. Under IRPA section 72, the application must generally be filed within 15 days if the matter arose in Canada, or 60 days if it arose outside Canada, counted from when you were notified of the decision. A judge may extend the time only for special reasons. If you receive a refusal, speak to a lawyer as soon as possible, because the time limit starts quickly. See our guide to what to do if an H&C application is refused.
Where do I make a complaint?
Complaints about consultants go to the CICC. Complaints about lawyers go to the law society. If you suspect fraud, IRCC asks you to notify it and the Canada Border Services Agency.
Next steps
Before you hire anyone, check the register, read the contract and ask your questions. Every H&C situation is different. E-Pathway Immigration can help you assess whether H&C considerations may be relevant, identify the evidence and questions that need attention, and understand your options. A decision remains with IRCC.
Related guides: H&C complete guide · H&C application refused: your options · How to apply for H&C: forms and fees · Humanitarian and compassionate services · H&C guide index · H&C application cost · First H&C consultation checklist
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources: CICC Public Register · CICC: Find an Immigration Consultant · CICC: Unauthorized Practice · IRCC: Important information on using immigration or citizenship consultants · IRCC: Find out if your representative is authorized · Federal Court: Who may represent you · IRPA s. 72 · Federal Court: Application for leave and judicial review (immigration) · IRCC: H&C refusal options
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration options and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified representative for advice about your situation.
About the author
Domonic Cheung is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), licence R711344, with E-Pathway Immigration in Vancouver, BC. You can verify his licence on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register.
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