OTTAWA, CANADA — Canada has introduced tougher penalties for immigration consultants and other representatives who provide unauthorized immigration services or deliberately submit false information on behalf of applicants.
The fines can reach up to $1.07 million.
The new regulations are part of the Canadian government’s efforts to protect foreign nationals from immigration fraud. They also aim to prevent exploitation and strengthen accountability among individuals offering paid immigration and citizenship services.
The New Rules
According to a post on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website on Friday, the rules apply to both licensed and unlicensed representatives. This includes individuals operating outside Canada.
The development could affect immigration agents serving Nigerian applicants seeking Canadian study permits, work permits, and permanent residency. The regulations cover paid immigration services regardless of where the representative operates.
Under the new framework, individuals found providing paid immigration or citizenship advice without proper authorization could face penalties starting at CAD5,000.
Those who knowingly provide false or misleading information on behalf of applicants, or assist in submitting such information, could face fines of CAD15,000.
Additional Penalties
Additional penalties may apply where an immigration application is approved based on inaccurate information. Repeat violations could attract cumulative fines of up to CAD1.5 million. This depends on the seriousness and frequency of the offences.
The Immigration Minister, Lena Metlege Diab, said the measures were designed to ensure that people seeking to build a future in Canada receive reliable immigration advice.
“Anyone hoping to build a future in Canada deserves access to trustworthy and accurate immigration and citizenship advice,” Diab said in a statement released by IRCC on October 28, 2026.
“These new measures will help protect people from fraud and misconduct and hold those who break the law accountable,” she added.
Scope of the Regulations
The government said the penalties would apply to paid representatives. These include licensed immigration consultants, lawyers, and other authorized professionals. It also applies to individuals providing such services without authorization.
The regulations also apply to representatives operating outside Canada. This means immigration agents based in Nigeria and other countries could face penalties if they violate the rules while providing paid services to applicants.
As part of the enforcement measures, IRCC plans to publish the names of representatives found violating the regulations. It will also publish details of their offences and penalties.
The online registry is expected to become operational in 2027, following the issuance of the first penalties.
Stronger Inspection Powers
The measures also introduce stronger inspection powers. Authorities can examine records and request documents from individuals offering paid immigration and citizenship services.
Representatives who receive a notice of violation will have 30 days to pay the penalty or request a formal review.
Nigerian Applicants Advised
The new regulations reinforce the need for Nigerians seeking Canadian visas and permanent residency to verify the credentials of immigration representatives before paying for their services.
Paid immigration consultants must be licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Lawyers must belong to the relevant Canadian law society.
IRCC has also warned that applicants remain responsible for the accuracy of information submitted on their behalf. This applies even when they use an immigration representative.
According to the department, submitting false information or documents could result in an application refusal and a ban from entering Canada for at least five years.
The government has therefore advised applicants to provide accurate personal, educational, employment, and financial information throughout the immigration process.
What This Means
The new regulations are a significant step in the fight against immigration fraud. They will help to protect applicants from exploitation.
For Nigerian applicants, the message is clear: verify your immigration agent before paying for their services. Using an unlicensed agent could have serious consequences.
