Study Abroad: Know how to protect yourself from Canada Immigration Consultant Fraud

There are tips one needs to follow if they do not wish to fall prey to immigration fraud while choosing to study in Canada.

In search of new opportunities, people around the globe are attracted to Canada as the country promises a high quality of life, prosperity and multiculturalism. The immigration system for Canada is also robust, attracting thousands of foreigners annually. 

With the increasing demand for immigration services, the demand for immigration consultants has also increased. While among the genuine qualified and registered immigration consultants, many fraud consultants can get you trapped in their fraud and crush your dream of getting Canadian permanent residency or citizenship.

Check Status of your Immigration Consultant

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants has notified on the X platform that to protect yourself from immigration fraud, always verify the status of your immigration consultant on the website - http://college-ic.ca/publicregister.

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants message on X reads, "If you choose to work with an immigration consultant for your Canadian permanent residency or citizenship, verify that they have an ‘active’ status at http://college-ic.ca/publicregister."

It is easy to verify the consultants on the website by visiting college-ic.ca. One needs to scroll down to verify if the immigration consultant is authorized—they are licensed and “active”—by using the public search register. Next, you need to click on - Find an Immigration Consultant. You can also find a licensed consultant on the website and also make a complaint.

The regulatory body only regulates Canadian immigration and citizenship consultants and they do not process immigration applications, provide immigration advice or influence the client's decisions.

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is a regulatory body that licenses immigration and citizenship consultants to protect the public. It is a Canada-wide regulatory authority.

Tips for working with Canadian immigration consultant

As per the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, the following tips should be followed:

• First and foremost is to verify your immigration consultant’s status on our Public Register. Ensure that they are Active on Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). In case, they are Revoked or Suspended then they are not authorised to practice.
• Also, explore the Disciplinary Proceedings and Tribunal section to check disciplinary notices against the consultant.
• Always ask your consultant for references
• Read their reviews and compare the fees with others.
• It is advised to directly contact the immigration consultant using the contact information given on the Public Register
• Also, contact any prospective employer or school to inquire about a study program or job.
• Before one starts to work with an immigration consultant, it is important to meticulously research avout the consultant, the genuine ones are usually registered with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). The regulatory body works to ensure that the consultants meet stringent standards and adhere to a code of conduct. One must verify their credentials on the ICCRC website before going ahead with them. Also, don't forget to check their track record and reputation. Read online reviews on forums and see the testimonials from previous clients. Go for the immigration consultants with a long history of successful cases and satisfied clients.

More Tips To Protect Yourself Against Immigration Fraud

Following are the tips:

• Be careful about the money involved in the form of fees and payment structures. Those who demand exorbitant fees upfront or pressurise you into making immediate payments are not the genuine ones. The reputed consultants will charge reasonably and operate under transparent payment agreements, with clear breakdowns of costs and services rendered.
• Always get a written contract detailing the outline of fees, services, refund policies and responsibilities of both parties. Read the agreement carefully before signing and get clarification on any ambiguous clauses before going ahead with the agreement.
• Keep yourself informed about immigration policies and procedures to empower yourself in decision-making. It will also help you to detect discrepancies or irregularities in the advice.
• Communication is key in the immigration process. Your consultant must make consistent communication, provide regular updates on the progress of your application and should promptly address your concerns.
• Beware of consultants claiming to provide guaranteed results or making unrealistic claims. 
• If you follow these tips, chances are less that you will fall prey to immigration fraud. However, in case you encounter fraudulent practices or misconduct by a consultant, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities to safeguard others from the fraud.

Read more:

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