Immigration Clients Can Claim Losses Dating Back to 2021

Canada has introduced new rules allowing clients of licensed immigration consultants to seek compensation for financial losses caused by dishonest conduct dating back to November 23, 2021.

The regulations took effect on July 15, 2026, and required the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to create and maintain a dedicated, separately managed compensation fund. The College, known as the CICC, has regulated immigration consultants since November 2021.

Who May Qualify for Compensation

Clients may be eligible when a CICC licensee caused a financial loss through dishonest actions committed on or after the date the College became the regulator.

The rules define dishonest conduct as knowingly giving false or misleading information, or advising another person to submit such information. Theft, fraud, misuse of client funds and failure to follow professional liability insurance procedures may also qualify.

To make a claim, a person must have hired a licensed consultant or reasonably believed that the consultant had agreed to provide immigration services. The client must not have willingly taken part in or contributed to the dishonest act.

Compensation will come from a separate fund controlled by the CICC. The College may later pursue the responsible consultant to recover money paid from the fund, along with fees and expenses.

Paid Advisers Must Be Licensed

Canadian law requires anyone who accepts payment for immigration advice to hold authorization. Representatives may be lawyers or professionals regulated by a provincial or territorial law society.

They may also be Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors licensed by the CICC.

The College operates as an independent, self-governing regulator under the federal College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act. Its duties include licensing consultants, setting professional standards and addressing misconduct.

Oversight and Governance Expanded

The new framework also changes how the College handles complaints and discipline. It creates a Discipline Committee, a Complaints Committee and a Capacity Evaluation Committee.

The CICC must submit an annual report to the government. That report must include information about compensation fund cases, complaints against licensees, the College’s finances and the makeup of its membership.

The regulations also give Canada’s immigration minister the power to appoint an executive administrator who could take control of the College in place of its board.

The rules came into force at the end of a 90-day period following their publication in the Canada Gazette on April 16, 2026. Draft regulations had first appeared in the Gazette on December 21, 2024.

Help for Clients Facing a Complex System

Canada’s immigration process allows applicants to represent themselves. However, many people hire consultants or lawyers because they find the system difficult to understand and manage.

The compensation fund gives clients a remedy when a licensed consultant acts dishonestly. It does not remove the need to check a representative’s licensing status, understand service agreements and keep copies of payments, messages and documents.

The new rules strengthen accountability while giving affected clients a formal route to recover eligible losses from misconduct since the CICC began regulating the profession in 2021.