Canada has introduced penalties of up to C$1.5 million for immigration and citizenship representatives who break the law while providing paid advice or representation, as the government steps up efforts to protect applicants from fraud and exploitation.
The new penalties came into force on October 28, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said in an official release .
The government has advised people seeking immigration or citizenship assistance to verify that their representative is authorized before engaging or paying them. Applicants can consult IRCC’s official guidance on choosing an immigration or citizenship representative to check whether a representative is authorized to provide paid services. The final regulations are scheduled for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on November 4, 2026, according to IRCC.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the measures were intended to protect applicants and hold people responsible for fraud or misconduct accountable. “Anyone hoping to build a future in Canada deserves access to trustworthy and accurate immigration and citizenship advice,” Diab said in the release. People who believe they have been incorrectly penalized can request a review through a formal process, the department said.
The online registry is expected to launch in 2027, after the first penalties have been imposed.
IRCC said it will publish the names of people penalized under the new rules, along with details of their violations.
