CICC RCIC EPE key terms

A person licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to give immigration advice for a fee. RCICs must meet education, language, and good-character requirements and renew their licence annually.

The self-regulatory body created by statute to license, supervise, and discipline immigration and citizenship consultants in Canada. It sets entry standards, investigates complaints, and can suspend or revoke a licence.

The mandatory rules governing consultant behaviour, covering competence, honesty, confidentiality, fees, and client communication. Breaching it can lead to discipline by the regulator regardless of the outcome of the immigration application.

A person legally permitted to act for an applicant before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, such as an RCIC, lawyer, or certain family members. Using an unauthorized paid agent can render an application void.

An unlicensed person who provides immigration advice for payment while hiding their involvement from authorities, often submitting applications as if the client prepared them. This is illegal and exposes clients to misrepresentation findings.

A situation where a consultant's personal, financial, or other interest could improperly influence their duty to a client. Consultants must disclose conflicts promptly and obtain informed consent or decline the engagement.

A client's agreement to a course of action after receiving a clear explanation of the risks, costs, alternatives, and consequences. Consent must be voluntary, documented, and given by a person with capacity.

The professional obligation to possess and apply the knowledge and skill needed for each matter, or to decline or refer the work. It includes staying current with changing law and policy.

The required process of confirming a client's identity and the nature of their relationship using reliable documents and records. Consultants must keep verification records and report suspicious transactions under anti-money-laundering rules.

The duty to protect client information from unauthorized disclosure, subject to limited exceptions such as client consent, legal compulsion, or preventing serious harm. It continues after the retainer ends.

A written contract setting out the services to be provided, fees, disbursements, refund conditions, and the client's responsibilities. It must be provided before or at the start of the engagement and be clear and transparent.

The obligation to explain all professional fees and third-party costs in advance, including government processing fees, so the client understands the total cost. Fees cannot be contingent on a successful outcome in prohibited ways.

The requirement to keep client files and records for a set period after the matter closes, in a secure and retrievable form. Proper retention supports defence of complaints and continuity of service.

Providing false or misleading information, or omitting material facts, in an application. It can lead to refusal, a five-year inadmissibility bar, and loss of status even if the error was unintentional.

A fact that could reasonably affect the decision on an application, such as employment history, marital status, or prior refusals. Withholding one can constitute misrepresentation even without an outright lie.

The right of an applicant to know the case against them and to respond before a negative decision is made. It typically involves a fairness letter and a reasonable opportunity to reply.

A communication from the visa office outlining concerns and inviting the applicant to respond with evidence or explanation. Deadlines are short, and failing to respond meaningfully usually results in refusal.

A Federal Court proceeding challenging the lawfulness of an immigration decision, not a re-hearing of the merits. It requires leave, must be filed within strict timelines, and applies a reasonableness standard.

The first stage of judicial review in which the Federal Court decides whether the case is sufficiently arguable to proceed. Leave is decided on paper, and refusal ends the challenge.

The federal statute that governs who may enter, remain in, or be removed from Canada, and sets out inadmissibility grounds and application procedures. Regulations under IRPA supply detailed rules.

The regulations made under IRPA that set out detailed requirements for programs, selection criteria, fees, and documentary evidence. They change more frequently than the statute and must be checked for each application.

Directions issued by the immigration minister that govern processing priorities, intake caps, and program rules within the statutory framework. They can change quickly and directly affect eligibility and wait times.

A legal ground that prevents a foreign national from entering or remaining in Canada, such as security, criminality, health, misrepresentation, or financial reasons. Some grounds allow relief through applications or appeals.

A formal direction that a person must leave Canada, issued as a departure, exclusion, or deportation order depending on severity. The type affects re-entry rights and appeal options.

A tribunal within the Immigration and Refugee Board that hears appeals from sponsorship refusals and certain removal orders. It can consider humanitarian and compassionate factors and hold oral hearings.

A document allowing a foreign national to seek entry to Canada for a limited period for tourism, business, or study. Officers assess purpose of visit, funds, ties to the home country, and overall credibility.

The lawful situation where a person applies to visit or study temporarily while also intending eventually to apply for permanent residence. Officers may not refuse solely because a future immigration intent exists.

A document issued to a temporary resident to extend or confirm their authorized period of stay in Canada. It is not a visa and does not by itself permit re-entry after travel abroad.

Authorization for a foreign national to study at a designated learning institution in Canada for a specified period. Eligibility depends on acceptance, proof of funds, and compliance with work and enrolment conditions.

A school approved by a province or territory to host international students. A letter of acceptance from a DLI is generally required for a study permit, and the DLI reports on enrolment compliance.

An open work permit available to eligible graduates of qualifying Canadian programs, allowing them to gain skilled work experience. Program length, institution type, and language requirements affect eligibility and duration.

An assessment in which an employer shows that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the Canadian labour market. A positive LMIA may support a closed work permit tied to that employer.

A work permit that authorizes employment only with the named employer, often under stated conditions. Changing employers generally requires a new permit application.

The process by which a person who lost temporary status may apply to regain it within a limited period, paying additional fees and meeting remaining conditions. Working or studying while out of status is prohibited.

The online system that manages applications for several federal economic programs using a points-based ranking. Candidates in the pool are invited to apply through regular or category-based draws.

The scoring method used in Express Entry that ranks candidates on age, education, language, work experience, and other factors. Higher scores improve the chance of receiving an invitation to apply.

A formal invitation issued to a top-ranked Express Entry candidate to submit a permanent residence application within a fixed period. Missing the deadline forfeits the invitation.

A program through which provinces and territories select immigrants who meet local labour market needs. A nomination can add points in Express Entry or support a paper-based application.

The process by which an eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident commits to support a family member's immigration, including undertaking financial responsibility for a set period.

A discretionary request for permanent residence based on hardship or establishment in Canada that falls outside normal program rules. Officers weigh factors such as family ties, best interests of the child, and adversity.

The status allowing a person to live and work in Canada indefinitely, subject to residency obligations and inadmissibility rules. It differs from citizenship and can be lost through prescribed processes.

The requirement that a permanent resident be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in each five-year period, with limited exceptions. Breach can lead to loss of status.

The conferral of Canadian citizenship on an eligible permanent resident who meets residency, language, knowledge, and tax-filing requirements. Most adults must also pass a knowledge test and take the oath.

The limits of what a consultant may lawfully do, which excludes practising law and appearing in certain proceedings. Work outside these limits must be referred to a lawyer or other authorized professional.