You have your CELPIP results. The next step is the application itself: permanent residence, citizenship, or a permit. Many people ask whether they need to pay an immigration consultant or a lawyer for this. This guide explains what the Government of Canada says, when help can be useful, and how to check that the person you hire is allowed to represent you.
You do not need a representative
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is clear about this: "You don't need to hire a representative! It's your choice." IRCC also says that using one will not draw special attention to your application and does not mean it will be approved. See Learn about representatives on canada.ca.
All IRCC forms and guides are on canada.ca, and many people apply on their own.
Paid and unpaid representatives
IRCC accepts two kinds of representatives:
- Unpaid representatives, such as family members, friends and other third parties. They do not charge you.
- Paid representatives, who charge a fee. Only authorized people can do this.
Paid representatives must be one of these (IRCC: authorized representatives):
- Immigration or citizenship consultants who are members of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). They are often called RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants).
- Lawyers who are members of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, or notaries who are members of the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
- Paralegals in Ontario only, who are members of the Law Society of Ontario.
When help can be useful
Some people choose a paid representative when their case is complicated, for example after a previous refusal, or when they do not have the time to read the guides themselves. That is a personal choice. If your case is simple and you are comfortable with the forms, you can apply yourself.
How to check a representative
Before you pay anyone, check that they are authorized:
- For a consultant: search their name or College ID in the CICC public register. It shows whether they are licensed to practise.
- For a lawyer, notary or Ontario paralegal: search the directory of their law society. IRCC's authorized representatives page links to every provincial and territorial law society.
Be careful with anyone who promises a guaranteed approval or faster processing. IRCC says a representative does not draw special attention to your application.
Your CELPIP score comes first
Whatever you decide, your language results are part of your application. Check the score your program needs on canada.ca, and see our CELPIP score chart for how levels map to CLB.
EnvolPrep is not an immigration representative and this article is not legal or immigration advice. For official rules, always check canada.ca.