Canada is cracking down on the people who exploit would-be immigrants. Under new IRCC regulations in force since October 28, 2026, paid immigration and citizenship representatives can now be fined between C$5,000 and C$1.5 million for unauthorized advice or false information — with penalties applying worldwide and the names of offenders to be published.
The rules cover both licensed consultants and lawyers and anyone providing paid immigration or citizenship advice without authorization — including representatives operating outside Canada. The baseline penalties: C$5,000 for providing paid advice or representation without authorization, C$15,000 for knowingly providing false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf (or helping an applicant do so), and C$10,000 for failing to provide documents during an inspection. Penalties escalate for repeat violations and for cases where applications are approved on false information, up to C$1.5 million for all violations combined.
IRCC will publish the names of penalized representatives and the details of their violations, and a dedicated public online registry is expected to launch in 2027, after the first penalties are administered. No one has been penalized yet — the rules cover only misconduct committed after October 28, 2026. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the measures are designed to protect applicants from fraud and strengthen the integrity of the system.
The new regime builds on consultant-oversight regulations that took effect July 15, 2026, with the final regulations set to be published in Canada Gazette Part II on November 4, 2026.
The message for applicants: check that your representative is authorized before you pay — Canada is now watching both sides of the transaction.
Read also: Canada’s national security strategy: the plan for a stronger Canada and Ottawa mayor Sutcliffe wins second term
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.