Choose a recognized, authorized professional

Entry into force of the Code of Professional Conduct for Licensees of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)

On 22 June 2022, the Government of Canada published the Code of Professional Conduct for Licensees of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (the Code). The new Code has been in force since 10 June 2022.

Under subsection 43(1) of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (S.C. 2019, c. 29, s. 292) (College Act), the Minister must establish a code of professional conduct for licensees. In May of last year, IRCC published a draft of the Code for public consultation. The College held webinars for its licensees to give them an overview of the requirements set out in the draft Code and to gather their comments for submission to IRCC. Many of those comments were accepted by IRCC. As a result, the new Code now in force differs considerably from the draft released in May 2021. Licensees should read the new Code carefully!

The new Code sets out the rigorous ethical and professional standards that all licensees (RCICs and RISIAs) must meet. It replaces the former RCIC Code of Professional Ethics and RISIA Code of Ethics. Where a provision of the new Code conflicts with a by-law or a regulation of the College, the provision of the Code prevails.

The College is developing an Interpretation Guide to help licensees understand and properly apply the provisions of the Code. The College will also provide webinars and other information resources to licensees in due course.

 

Why choose an RCIC rather than a lawyer?

We will help you understand the advantages of working with a regulated professional who is bound by a strict code of professional conduct.

Make sure you are dealing with an authorized professional

Before retaining a representative, before sending them your personal documents or before paying them anything, make sure they are recognized and authorized.

What to do if you are scammed, or if you find that your representative is not authorized?

Despite many warnings, some people continue to fall victim to scams, particularly on social media, and lose a great deal of money when they do not simply watch their immigration plans collapse. Learn how to avoid such fraudsters, and above all do not hesitate to report them.