Dear Mr Brown:

There is a local firm in Jamaica that claims it can get jobs in Canada. Another firm located in Canada says it is not possible to secure a job from Jamaica. I am not sure what to believe. What is the best way to go about obtaining a job in British Columbia?

— DK

Dear DK:

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), which is formerly the Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), is the regulatory body responsible for governing the conduct of immigration representatives. The Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC) is the national coordinating body for provincial and territorial law societies in Canada. Together with the CICC, it helps safeguard potential immigrants from unauthorised immigration representatives who pose a threat to the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

Authorised immigration representative

When undertaking Canadian immigration matters, you should always receive Canadian immigration advice from an authorised immigration representative. Under Canadian law, only authorised immigration representatives can charge a fee to assist someone to apply for visas, permits, permanent residence and/or citizenship. Accordingly, local employment agencies as well as travel agencies or education agents in Jamaica must be authorised agents in order to provide any form of immigration advice. Otherwise, they are contravening the laws of Canada.

Authorised immigration professionals enter their profession with a standard level of knowledge in immigration. Moreover, they must follow the Code of Professional Ethics that states an immigration professional must be honest with you and work within his/her abilities to handle your immigration case. If you are not sure about the status of an immigration professional, you may ask about an immigration practitioner’s membership standing.

Regulated Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (RCICs) are able to assist with immigration matters. Moreover, to offer employment recruiting services in British Columbia, one needs a separate recruiter’s licence from the province. As such, it is more whether one is licensed that is important, rather than the location of the office.

You can check the CICC website for the licensed individual(s) that is/are based on Jamaica at:
https://college-ic.ca/protecting-the-public/find-an-immigration-consultant.

Fraud Prevention Month

March is Fraud Prevention Month, in which the CICC seeks to highlight practices for the protection of the general public.

The following tips apply on how to recognise unauthorised practitioners, such as:

• Making sure you receive invoices and/or receipts for all payments.

• Being careful if a travel agent or a recruiter offers you immigration services.

• No one can guarantee an approval of an immigration application.

• Beware if your authorised immigration professional demonstrates an apparent lack of knowledge when you ask specific questions about immigration or CICC’s Code of Professional Ethics.

Not licensed? Not legal!

The Canadian Immigration Regulations prescribe which immigration representatives may (or may not) represent or advise, for a fee or other consideration.

Examples of advice and representation would include:

• Advertising that they can provide immigration advice for a fee;

• Explaining and/or providing advice on someone’s immigration options;

• Providing guidance to a client on how to select the best immigration stream;

• Providing guidance on completing and submitting immigration forms, such as a visitor’s visa, work permit or study permit;

• Representing a client in an immigration application or proceeding;

• Making interventions on behalf of the applicant during processing; and

• Requesting information from the embassy about the progress of the application.

An unauthorised representative is an individual or company who receives a fee for advising or representing a client on immigration matters, who are not members of the CICC or a law society. They are not permitted to provide any of the services outlined above.

Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian Work Permits, Study Permits, Visas, Permanent Residence and/or Appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is a licensed Canadian employment recruiter, accredited Canadian education agent and immigration counsel of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM—a Canadian immigration firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to documents.jamaica2canada@gmail.com