## Key takeaways
– New monetary penalties of up to $1.5 million are now in force for people who break the law when providing paid immigration or citizenship advice or representation.
– The penalties took effect on October 28, 2026, under rules announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
– Providing paid advice or representation without authorization carries a penalty of $5,000.
– Knowingly providing false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf, or helping an applicant do so, carries a penalty of $15,000.
– Additional penalties may apply if an application is approved based on false or misleading information, and penalties increase for repeat violations, up to a maximum of $1.5 million for all violations combined.
– IRCC will publish the names of those penalized and the details of their violations, and an online registry is expected to launch in 2027 after the first penalties are administered.
## What happened
On October 28, 2026, the Government of Canada announced that new penalties are now in force for paid immigration and citizenship representatives who break the law. The measures are aimed at protecting applicants from fraud and exploitation and at strengthening the integrity of Canada’s immigration and citizenship systems. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said that anyone hoping to build a future in Canada deserves access to trustworthy and accurate immigration and citizenship advice, and that while most paid representatives follow the rules, those who do not will face consequences.
## Who the rules cover
The new rules apply to paid representatives, including licensed immigration consultants, lawyers and other authorized representatives, as well as people who provide paid immigration or citizenship advice or representation without authorization. That distinction matters for applicants: the system does not only target so-called ghost consultants operating entirely outside the rules. Authorized professionals who break the rules are covered too, and so are people who charge for advice or representation without being authorized to do so. The message for applicants is practical rather than abstract. Before paying for help, check that the person you are hiring is authorized to provide immigration or citizenship advice or representation.
## What the penalties are
The starting penalties set out in the announcement are $5,000 for providing paid advice or representation without authorization, and $15,000 for knowingly providing false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf or helping an applicant do so. Those are not the only amounts that can apply. Additional penalties may apply if an application is approved based on false or misleading information, and penalties increase for repeat violations, up to a maximum of $1.5 million for all violations combined. In other words, a single low starting figure does not cap what a serious or repeated case can attract.
## What it means for applicants
For someone planning an application, the practical takeaway is to verify authorization before paying, keep copies of everything submitted on your behalf, and be wary of anyone who offers to improve your case by misrepresenting facts. False information in an application can damage the applicant’s own case as well as expose the representative to penalties, so honesty in the file protects both sides. IRCC says it will publish the names of those penalized and the details of their violations on its website as penalties are issued, which is intended to help the public identify dishonest representatives and increase transparency. The online registry is expected to launch in 2027, following the administration of the first penalties, so the public naming will build over time rather than appearing all at once.
## Frequently asked questions
Q: When did IRCC’s new representative penalties take effect?
A: The penalties are in force as of October 28, 2026, the date of the Government of Canada announcement.
Q: What is the penalty for providing paid immigration advice without authorization?
A: Providing paid advice or representation without authorization carries a penalty of $5,000.
Q: What is the penalty for knowingly providing false or misleading information?
A: Knowingly providing false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf, or helping an applicant do so, carries a penalty of $15,000, with additional penalties possible if an application is approved based on that information.
Q: What is the maximum penalty under the new rules?
A: Penalties increase for repeat violations, up to a maximum of $1.5 million for all violations combined.
Q: How can I protect myself when hiring an immigration representative?
A: Check that your representative is authorized before paying for their services, ask for a clear written agreement, and keep copies of everything filed on your behalf. If something in your application is not true, do not let anyone submit it anyway.
For help with your immigration application from a licensed consultant, contact ImmiQuest Immigration at +1 778-855-4155, info@immiquest.ca, or https://immiquest.ca. Vikas Tulashyam, RCIC #R709710