Do I need a representative, and who may help me?

No, you don't need a representative

“You don’t need to hire a representative!”

“It’s your choice. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.”

“You can get all the forms and instructions you need to apply for a visa, a permit or citizenship for free on this website. If you follow the instructions, you should be able to fill out the forms and submit them yourself.”

“You are responsible for all the information in your application, even if your representative completes it for you.”

No: a representative does not make processing faster

“your application will not be given special attention nor can you expect faster processing or a more favourable outcome”

“You are not obliged to hire a representative. We treat everyone equally, whether they use the service of a representative or not.”

Yes, if they are a member in good standing of the College

“consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)”

“IRCC will only conduct business with paid representatives who are in good standing with their designated regulatory body.”

“Note: If a representative is being paid or compensated by someone other than you, the representative is still considered to be a paid representative.”

IRCC: find out if your representative is authorized

Yes, if they are a member in good standing of a Canadian law society

“lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, and students-at-law under their supervision”

“IRCC will only conduct business with paid representatives who are in good standing with their designated regulatory body.”

“Note: If a representative is being paid or compensated by someone other than you, the representative is still considered to be a paid representative.”

IRCC: find out if your representative is authorized

Yes, if they are a member in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec

“notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec and students-at-law under their supervision.”

“IRCC will only conduct business with paid representatives who are in good standing with their designated regulatory body.”

“Note: If a representative is being paid or compensated by someone other than you, the representative is still considered to be a paid representative.”

IRCC: find out if your representative is authorized

Only a paralegal who is a member of the Law Society of Ontario

“Paralegals (Ontario only) must be members of the Law Society of Ontario”

“If they are not members in good standing, you should not use their services.”

IRCC: find out if your representative is authorized

No: only authorized representatives may be paid

“anyone who represents or advises you for payment - or offers to do so - in connection with IRCC proceedings or applications is breaking the law unless they are an authorized representative or they have a specific agreement or arrangement with the Government of Canada that allows them to represent or advise you.”

“This applies to advice or consultation which happens before or after a citizenship or an immigration application is made or a proceeding begins.”

“Note: If a representative is being paid or compensated by someone other than you, the representative is still considered to be a paid representative.”

IRCC: find out if your representative is authorized

Check their licence before you use or pay them

“You can check if a person is licensed to represent immigrants or to give advice.”

“If they are not members in good standing, you should not use their services.”

IRCC: find out if your representative is authorized

Yes, an unpaid representative may act for you; you appoint them with a form

Friends, family members and other people who never charge you may represent you for free. IRCC asks for the same Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) as for a paid one.

“To do this, you must have them sign the use of representative form and submit it with your application. You must submit this form even if your representative is uncompensated.”

IRCC: add, change or cancel a representative (form IMM 5476)

Yes, with your written consent on a release form (IMM 5475); they are not your representative

“The person you name on this form will be able to get information on your file, such as the status of your application, but can’t act as your representative.”

“Fill out the form Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)”

IRCC: give someone access to your application

Yes, and no form is needed for that kind of help

“For this kind of help, you do not need to send us a representative form or release form.”

“Some people may help you with other parts of the application process. These people do not need to act as your representative or access your personal information.”

Yes, at any time, with a new Use of a Representative form

“You can change or cancel your representative at any time.”

IRCC: add, change or cancel a representative (form IMM 5476)

No, you don't have to use one; anyone you pay to advise you on it must be an authorized representative

A provincial nomination leads to a permanent residence application with IRCC, and IRCC's rule on paid advice covers advice given before an application is made. IRCC's Help Centre confirms its representative rules apply to provincial nominee applications, and that a province may add its own rules (linked).

“You are not obliged to hire a representative. We treat everyone equally, whether they use the service of a representative or not.”

“anyone who represents or advises you for payment - or offers to do so - in connection with IRCC proceedings or applications is breaking the law unless they are an authorized representative or they have a specific agreement or arrangement with the Government of Canada that allows them to represent or advise you.”

“This applies to advice or consultation which happens before or after a citizenship or an immigration application is made or a proceeding begins.”

“Note: If a representative is being paid or compensated by someone other than you, the representative is still considered to be a paid representative.”

IRCC Help Centre: do the representative rules apply to a provincial program?

These representative rules don't apply to passports

“This information does not apply to passport applications.”