People seeking to move to Canada often rely on immigration consultants, lawyers and other representatives to guide them through the application process. However, not everyone offering these services is legally authorised to do so.
Canada has introduced new financial penalties of up to $1.5 million for people who break the law while providing paid immigration or citizenship advice and representation. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the measures on October 28, 2026.
The rules apply to both authorised professionals who engage in misconduct and individuals who provide paid immigration services without the required authorisation. They also apply to representatives operating outside Canada.
For Nigerian applicants and other prospective immigrants, this is an important development because it reinforces the need to verify an agent’s credentials before paying for immigration assistance.
1. What are Canada’s new immigration penalties?
The new rules allow IRCC to impose financial penalties on people who receive payment for immigration or citizenship advice and representation but break the law.
The initial penalties include:
| Violation | Initial penalty |
|---|---|
| Providing paid immigration advice or representation without authorisation | $5,000 |
| Knowingly providing false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf | $15,000 |
| Helping an applicant submit false or misleading information | $15,000 |
Additional amounts may apply where the violation causes an administrative error or provides the representative with a financial benefit.
Penalties can also increase when a person commits repeated violations. The total can reach $1.5 million per notice of violation.
This means the financial consequences are not limited to individuals pretending to be immigration consultants. Licensed professionals, including lawyers and immigration consultants, can also face penalties if they break the rules.
2. Do the new rules apply to immigration agents in Nigeria?
Yes. This is one of the most important aspects of the announcement.
IRCC has confirmed that the regulations apply to anyone who receives payment or other compensation for immigration or citizenship advice, regardless of where they are located.
Therefore, a person operating an immigration consultancy in Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom or another country is not automatically exempt from the rules simply because they are outside Canada.
If the person provides paid immigration advice or representation concerning Canadian immigration without the required authorisation, they may face penalties.
For Nigerian applicants, this is particularly relevant when dealing with agencies that advertise Canadian study permits, work permits, visitor visas and permanent residence applications.
However, the rules do not mean that every immigration agency outside Canada is operating illegally. The important distinction is whether the person providing the regulated advice or representation has the required authorisation.
3. Who is legally allowed to provide paid Canadian immigration advice?
IRCC recognises specific categories of authorised representatives.
They include:
Immigration consultants: They must be members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Lawyers: They must be members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society.
Quebec notaries: They must be members of the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
Ontario paralegals: They must be authorised members of the Law Society of Ontario.
An individual or company cannot become an authorised Canadian immigration representative simply by registering a business, advertising immigration services or claiming to have connections within IRCC.
Applicants should verify the professional’s credentials independently rather than relying only on documents or screenshots supplied by the person.
4. How can Nigerian applicants verify an immigration consultant?
Before paying an individual or agency for Canadian immigration advice, take the following steps:
Step 1: Request the representative’s full name.
Do not rely only on the agency’s business name. Ask for the name of the actual consultant or lawyer responsible for your immigration advice.
Step 2: Check their professional registration.
If the person claims to be a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), check their membership through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
If they claim to be a Canadian lawyer, verify their membership with the relevant provincial or territorial law society.
Step 3: Confirm that their membership is in good standing.
Having a registration number is not enough. IRCC advises applicants to check that the representative is currently authorised and in good standing.
Step 4: Request a written agreement.
Before making payment, ask for a contract that clearly explains the services being provided, the fees involved and the responsibilities of both parties.
Step 5: Be cautious about unrealistic promises.
No representative can guarantee a Canadian visa, permanent residence approval or a particular Express Entry invitation. Immigration decisions are made by the relevant Canadian authorities.
5. What happens if an immigration representative submits false information?
The new rules specifically address representatives who knowingly provide false or misleading information or help applicants do so.
For example, a representative who deliberately submits fabricated employment documents, inaccurate work experience or misleading information about an applicant’s qualifications may face penalties.
However, the consequences are not limited to the representative.
Applicants remain responsible for the information submitted in their applications. Providing false information, even when a consultant prepares the application, can lead to refusal and other immigration consequences.
Applicants should therefore review their applications before submission and ensure that their employment history, educational qualifications, financial documents and personal information are accurate.
Never allow a representative to submit information you know is false simply because they claim it will improve your chances of approval.
6. Will IRCC publish the names of penalised representatives?
Yes.
Under the new system, IRCC will publish the names of people found to have violated the rules, together with relevant details of their misconduct.
The published information may include:
- The representative’s name and business or employer.
- The date the violation notice was issued.
- The type of violation.
- The financial penalty imposed.
- Whether the penalty has been paid.
IRCC expects to launch an online public registry in 2027, after the first penalties have been issued.
The aim is to make it easier for applicants to identify representatives who have been found to have broken the rules.
7. What should applicants do if they suspect immigration fraud?
If you believe an immigration representative has misled you, submitted false information or collected money through fraudulent claims, you should preserve relevant evidence.
Keep copies of payment receipts, contracts, emails, WhatsApp conversations, application documents and other communication.
You can report concerns through IRCC’s official complaint channels. Depending on the circumstances, you may also contact the relevant professional regulator or law enforcement authorities.
If you suspect that false information has already been submitted in your application, seek appropriate professional advice about how to address the situation. Ignoring the problem may make it more difficult to resolve.
Final thoughts
Canada’s new penalties send a clear message: people who provide paid immigration advice and representation must follow the law, regardless of whether they operate inside or outside the country.
For Nigerian applicants planning to study, work or settle in Canada, the announcement is a reminder to verify immigration representatives before handing over money or personal documents.
An immigration consultant can help you understand eligibility requirements, prepare documents and navigate the application process. However, professional registration, transparency and accurate information should always come first.
Worldbridge Immigration can help prospective applicants assess their Canadian immigration options and understand the requirements for suitable immigration pathways.
