The role of RCICs and lawyers

You can apply yourself or use a representative. IRCC clearly separates paid representatives (who must be authorized) from unpaid ones.

Paid representatives must be authorized

According to IRCC, only these people may charge a fee or receive any other compensation for representing you:

• citizenship or immigration consultants who are members of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), often called RCICs;
• lawyers and notaries who are members of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec;
• paralegals who are members of the Law Society of Ontario (Ontario only).

If you use a paid representative who isn't authorized, IRCC may return or refuse your application.

Unpaid representatives

Family, friends or anyone not paid can help without authorization. They must still be declared on form IMM 5476 if they deal with IRCC on your behalf.

What a representative can and can't do

• Can: fill in forms, communicate with IRCC for you, help prepare documents.
• Can't: sign electronically for you or sign in with your account.
• You are responsible for all information in your application, even if someone else filled it in.
• According to IRCC, using a representative doesn't get your file special attention or faster approval.

How to check

• Search for a consultant in the CICC's "Find an Immigration Consultant" tool.
• Look up lawyers on the provincial law society's website.
• Ask about training, experience, services and fees; get a written contract.

Navio's role

Navio provides program information and document support services (collection, preparation, review, translation, tracking). Navio is not an authorized immigration representative and does not provide legal advice. When you need representation before IRCC or legal advice, use an authorized representative as listed above.

Note Be wary of anyone promising results or faster processing. According to IRCC, honest representatives don't pressure you or guarantee outcomes.