RCIC vs RCIC-IRB: How to Verify Your Immigration Consultant's Licence (and Why It Matters)
To verify an immigration consultant in Canada, search the free public register of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) by the person's full name or licence number (an "R" followed by six digits) and confirm the record shows a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant whose status is active and in good standing. The difference between an RCIC and an RCIC-IRB is the scope of authorization: every RCIC is a regulated consultant who can provide immigration advice and representation to IRCC, while an RCIC-IRB also holds the additional authorization to represent clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Both designations appear on the same official register, which is the only authoritative way to confirm a licence.
Why this matters is simple and serious: only authorized people may provide paid Canadian immigration advice and representation, and using an unauthorized "ghost consultant" puts your money, your data, and your case at real risk. A licence check takes a couple of minutes and protects you from one of the most common ways newcomers are harmed. This guide explains what an RCIC is, how the RCIC-IRB designation differs, exactly how to verify a consultant on the CICC register in 2026, and what each status on the register actually means.
What is an RCIC?
An RCIC is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, a professional licensed by the CICC to provide Canadian immigration and citizenship advice and representation for a fee. The CICC is the national regulator established under federal law to govern immigration consultants, set conduct standards, and discipline licensees who breach them. When a consultant holds an active RCIC licence, it means they have met the College's education and examination requirements, carry mandatory insurance, and are accountable to a complaints and discipline process. Holding the licence is what makes paid representation lawful; without it, a person is not permitted to charge for immigration advice in Canada.
What does the RCIC-IRB designation add?
The RCIC-IRB designation builds on the standard RCIC licence by adding authorization to represent clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. The IRB is the independent tribunal that decides matters such as refugee claims, admissibility hearings, detention reviews, and certain immigration appeals. A standard RCIC can advise on and prepare many immigration applications, but appearing as a representative at the IRB requires the additional RCIC-IRB authorization, which involves further specialized training and assessment. In practice, this distinction matters most for people with refugee claims, refusals headed to appeal, or admissibility issues, because those cases can end up before the Board. Shirani Daniel, the principal consultant at Imprint Immigration Services, holds the RCIC-IRB designation, which is comparatively rare in the Edmonton market.
How to verify a consultant on the CICC public register
Verification is straightforward and free. Visit the CICC public register, then search by the consultant's full name or by their licence number, which always takes the form of the letter "R" followed by six digits. The official register is published by the College and is available through the CICC's find a consultant page. Once you find the record, check three things: that the name matches the person you are dealing with, that the licence type is what they claim (for example, RCIC or RCIC-IRB), and that the status reads as active. If a person cannot give you a licence number, or the number does not match a real record, treat that as a serious warning sign and stop before paying anything.
What the register statuses mean
Status is the single most important field on a register record, because it tells you whether the person may practise right now. "Active" is the status that confirms a licensee is currently authorized to provide immigration services. Other statuses signal that the person is not currently authorized, and they include Inactive, Suspended, Revoked, Resigned, Retired, and Deceased. A consultant who once held a licence but now shows a non-active status is not someone you should retain for a live file. Checking the status, not just the existence of a record, is what separates a real verification from a false sense of security.
RCIC vs immigration lawyer: a quick note
People often ask how a regulated consultant differs from an immigration lawyer. Both can be authorized to provide paid immigration representation in Canada, but they are governed by different bodies: RCICs are regulated by the CICC, while lawyers are regulated by their provincial law society. A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant focuses specifically on immigration and citizenship matters and is verified through the CICC register. The point of this guide is not to compare the two professions but to make sure that whoever you hire is genuinely authorized through the correct register for their profession. An unregulated person, by contrast, is authorized through neither, and that is the situation to avoid.
Why verification protects you
Immigration fraud frequently begins with an unauthorized person who looks the part. They may have a polished office, a confident manner, and promises that sound reassuring. A licence check cuts straight through the impression and answers the only question that matters before you pay: is this person actually authorized and in good standing right now? Beyond the register check, watch for other warning signs, such as promises of approval (which no honest professional offers), pressure to pay in cash before any agreement, or a refusal to put terms in writing. Imprint Immigration Services is an Edmonton practice led by Shirani Daniel, RCIC-IRB, licence R705794, and we encourage every prospective client to verify that number on the CICC register before booking. If you would like to discuss your case with a verified, regulated consultant, book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an RCIC and an RCIC-IRB?
An RCIC is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant licensed by the CICC. An RCIC-IRB holds the same licence plus additional authorization to represent clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board.
How do I check if my immigration consultant is licensed?
Search the free CICC public register by the consultant's full name or licence number (an "R" followed by six digits) and confirm the record shows a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant with an active status.
What does an "active" status mean on the CICC register?
Active is the status that confirms a licensee is currently authorized to provide immigration services. Statuses such as Inactive, Suspended, Revoked, Resigned, Retired, or Deceased mean the person is not currently authorized.
What is a ghost consultant?
A ghost consultant is an unauthorized person who provides paid immigration advice without a licence. Using one puts your money, your data, and your case at risk, which is why a register check matters.
Imprint Immigration Services is licensed by the CICC (R705794). Information shared is general; for advice about your specific case, book a consultation.
Talk to a licensed immigration consultant
Every case is different. Before you act, have your specific situation reviewed by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.
Book a consultation with Imprint Immigration Services. Imprint Immigration Services is led by an RCIC in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), licence R705794.
