ARCHIVED – Notice – Important information for Syrian-Canadians about using immigration consultants

February 29, 2012 — The Government of Canada is concerned that members of the Syrian-Canadian community are being misled by false claims that a paid immigration consultant can speed up the arrival of their loved ones from Syria.

If you choose to hire a consultant, the visa application will not be given special attention or processed faster. Hiring a consultant also does not guarantee that the application will be approved.

Applicants are not required to hire an immigration consultant. All the forms and information that are needed to apply for a visa are available for free on the CIC website.

The only representatives who may charge a fee to represent an applicant or provide advice on immigration and refugee matters with the Government of Canada are:

• Authorized immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC);
• Lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society;
• Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec; and
• Paralegals regulated by a law society.

The Government of Canada will not deal with non-authorized representatives who charge a fee for their services.

For more information about immigration consultants or representatives: Immigration consultants, lawyers, and other representatives – Choose carefully

How to report immigration fraud: You can report immigration fraud by calling the Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060. All information is treated as confidential.

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