Key takeaways
- New IRCC penalties of up to $1.5 million are in force as of October 28, 2026
- They apply to anyone paid for immigration or citizenship advice or representation who breaks the law, including licensed consultants, lawyers and unauthorized agents
- They apply no matter where the person is located, including outside Canada
- Baseline amounts: $5,000 for paid advice or representation without authorization, $15,000 for knowingly giving false or misleading information, $10,000 for refusing to provide documents in an inspection
- IRCC will publish the names of people penalized. The public registry is expected in 2027
- Before you pay a representative, check that they are authorized and in good standing
What changed on October 28, 2026
IRCC announced the new penalty regime in a news release dated October 28, 2026. The penalties are in force as of that date.
The rules cover anyone who is paid to give immigration or citizenship advice or representation. That includes licensed immigration consultants, lawyers and other authorized representatives. It also includes people who give paid advice or representation without authorization.
IRCC says the rules apply no matter where the person is located, including outside Canada. They apply only to misconduct after the regulations came into force. They are not retroactive.
The baseline penalty amounts
| Violation | Baseline amount |
|---|---|
| Paid advice or representation without authorization | $5,000 |
| Knowingly giving false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf, or helping an applicant do so | $15,000 |
| Refusing to provide documents required in an inspection | $10,000 |
These are baseline amounts, not fixed fines. IRCC’s page on breaking the rules of advice and representation gives the formula (A + B + C) x D. A is the baseline amount. B is an impact amount, if an error in administration occurred. C is any financial advantage received. D is a multiplier for past findings: 0 findings = 0.5, 1 finding = 1.0, 2 or more = 1.5.
The maximum is $1.5 million. IRCC also says additional penalties may apply if an application is approved because of false or misleading information.
How the process works
- Inspection. IRCC inspects the representative.
- Preliminary notice. The representative has 30 days to respond.
- Notice of violation. The representative has 30 days to pay or to request a review by a reviewer appointed by the Governor in Council.
IRCC will publish the name of each person penalized, their business or employer, the type of violation, the penalty amount and whether it was paid. The online registry is expected to launch in 2027.
A note on the dates
IRCC says draft regulations appeared in Canada Gazette Part I on December 21, 2024. The final regulations will be posted in Canada Gazette Part II on November 4, 2026. IRCC’s release says the penalties are in force as of October 28, 2026.
Who is authorized to represent you
IRCC’s page on authorized representatives lists who can charge a fee to advise or represent you:
| Type of representative | Must be a member of |
|---|---|
| Immigration consultant | The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) |
| Lawyer or notary | A provincial or territorial law society, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec |
| Paralegal (Ontario only) | The Law Society of Ontario |
IRCC says that if a representative is not in good standing, you should not use their services.
What this means for you
- You plan to pay someone to help with an application: check that the person is authorized before you pay. An agent who is not on the list above is not authorized to charge for immigration advice.
- You already work with a representative: you can check their status now. The penalties apply to misconduct after October 28, 2026.
- You are worried you gave wrong information in the past: the penalties target representatives, not applicants. Your own responsibility for your application is a separate topic. See our guide on correcting a wrong answer to IRCC.
What to do next
- Ask any representative for their membership body and licence number.
- Confirm on the official register of that body that they are in good standing.
- Read our guides on how to check a consultant’s licence and on lawyer vs RCIC.
- Learn how to spot fraud in our guide to immigration scams.
Frequently asked questions
Can IRCC penalize an unauthorized agent who is outside Canada?
Yes. IRCC says the rules apply to anyone paid for advice or representation, no matter where they are located.
Are the penalties fixed at $5,000, $15,000 or $10,000?
No. These are baseline amounts. IRCC uses a formula that can raise or change the final amount, up to $1.5 million.
Do the penalties apply to applicants?
No. They apply to people who are paid to give advice or representation.
Will the names of penalized people be public?
Yes. IRCC will publish them. The online registry is expected in 2027.
Do the penalties apply to past misconduct?
No. IRCC says they apply only to misconduct after the regulations came into force.
Sources
- IRCC: New penalties for fraudulent and unauthorized immigration and citizenship representatives (October 28, 2026)
- IRCC: Break the rules of advice and representation
- IRCC: Authorized representatives
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.
