Karen Gordon

(K): Because of all the problems and abuses associated with so-called
'Immigration Consultants' in Canada, the Canadian government has decided
to REGULATE those who represent themselves as 'experts' or 'immigration
consultants'.

In approximately 2 weeks, no one will be able to call themselves an
'immigration consultant' unless they are registered with the newly-
formed Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC). If you choose
to pay someone NOT registered with this Society, you may well be wasting
your money, as Canada Immigration will NOT be recognizing their services.

More information here:

http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/200.../regle1-e.html

Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

[....]
Description

Amendments to sections 2 and 13 and subsection 10(2) of the Immigration
and Refugee Protection Regulations are necessary to encourage the
immigration consulting industry to self-regulate. These amendments are
intended to protect applicants from unscrupulous representatives while
preserving the integrity of Canada's immigration system.

[....]
Purpose of this provision

The purpose of this provision is to prescribe which immigration
representatives may or may not represent, advise or consult with a person
who is the subject of a proceeding or application before the Minister, an
officer, or the IRB.

Most representatives conduct their work in an ethical, professional and
effective manner. However, there are persistent and credible reports that
some unscrupulous immigration consultants, both in Canada and abroad,
facilitate people smuggling and fabricate documents permitting foreign
nationals to enter this country. They may, for example, create false
documents on occupational experience for Skilled Worker applicants or
family relationships to sponsors for Family Class applicants.

Certain consultants hold themselves out to be experts when they may have
no training or have no experience handling complex files. They may also
abuse their client's trust by promising the impossible and failing to
deliver and sometimes by charging exorbitant fees for their services. In a
number of reported cases, unscrupulous consultants have charged fees based
on an unfulfilled promise to file immigration applications. When their
clients request information on the status of these non-existent
applications, the consultant will report back that the Canadian government
refused the application and even provide bogus file reference numbers.

The exactions of unscrupulous immigration consultants and the lack of
regulation of the profession have been detrimental to clients, to the
consulting profession, and to the reputation of the Canadian immigration
program in Canada and abroad. These exactions also have potential national
security implications.
______________________________________

(K): Take care. The days of just anyone being able to call themselves
an 'immigration consultant' in Canada are just about over.


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If you can remain calm, you just don't have all the facts
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