1. Find a licensed representative to help you

A lawyer, paralegal, Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor can help with immigration matters. But there are differences in their education and what services they're allowed to give.

Lawyers

Lawyers can give legal advice and services in all immigration and refugee law matters. They can explain how the law applies to your situation and represent you in any application, hearing, or appeal.

Only a lawyer is allowed to represent you in a at Federal Court if you get a negative decision.

Check the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) directory to see if the lawyer is licensed and not facing a discipline process.

Paralegals

A paralegal is another type of legal professional. But paralegals cannot do everything that a lawyer can do.

A paralegal can only give you immigration or refugee law help if it relates directly to an hearing where the paralegal is representing you. For example, a detention review or at the Immigration Division.

A paralegal can never represent you to challenge a negative decision with a judicial review application in Federal Court.

Check the LSO directory to see if the paralegal is licensed and not facing a discipline process.

Registered consultants and advisors

Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).

They can help with certain types of immigration matters depending on their license.

An RCIC can never represent you to challenge a negative decision with a judicial review application in Federal Court.

Check the CICC registry to see if a consultant is licensed, what license they have, and any restrictions.

Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) work for schools that are allowed to have international students.

RISIAs give immigration advice to international students about study permits and visas. CICC has a list of all licensed RISIAs.