Immigration representatives are people who offer immigration advice or assistance to visa applicants. Some applicants may choose to consult a representative to act on their behalf with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the Immigration and Refugee Board or the Canada Border Services Agency.

There are two types of immigration representatives: paid and unpaid.

Paid immigration representatives

The only representatives who may charge a fee to represent or advise you on immigration and refugee matters with the Government of Canada are:

• lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
• Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, and
• notaries who are members in good standing of theChambre des notaires du Québec

The Government of Canada will not deal with non-authorized representatives who charge a fee for their service.

Unpaid immigration representatives

A person or organization who does not charge a fee for their service may also represent you.

For example:

• a family member or friend
• a member of a non-governmental or religious organization

Other people who offer immigration advice or assistance

People who provide immigration-related advice or assistance for a fee before the application is filed are not obliged to be authorized representatives. However, be aware that non-authorized representatives or advisors are not regulated. This means that they may not have adequate knowledge or training. It also means that you cannot seek help from the professional bodies (that is, the law societies, CSIC, etc.) if that person provides you with the wrong advice or behaves in an unprofessional way.