The federal government has introduced monetary penalties of up to $1.5 million for people who provide fraudulent or unauthorized immigration or citizenship advice or representation.
The Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the legislation on Oct. 28, saying it was committed to upholding the integrity of Canada’s immigration and citizenship systems and protecting individuals from fraud and exploitation.
The department said the penalties take effect immediately, including $5,000 for unauthorized advice or representation and $15,000 to those who “knowingly provid[e] false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf or helping an applicant do so.”
IRCC said it could apply additional penalties if it approves an application that turns out to be based on false or misleading information. Penalties increase for repeat violations, with a cumulative maximum of $1.5 million, the department said.
“As penalties are issued, IRCC will publish the names of those penalized and the details of their violations on its website,” the department said. “This will help protect the public by alerting clients to dishonest representatives and increasing transparency.”
The government said it published the draft regulations in the Canada Gazette in December 2024 for public consultation. It said it would post the final regulations in the Gazette on Nov. 4.
The department added that it expects to launch the online registry in 2027, after it has administered the first penalties. It encouraged people seeking immigration or citizenship advice to check that their representative is authorized before paying for services.
Violations and Penalties
IRCC said violations include providing immigration or citizenship advice for compensation without authorization, knowingly submitting false, incomplete, or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf, helping applicants do so, and refusing to provide documents during a compliance inspection.
“Our goal is to encourage you to follow the law, not punish misbehaviour,” the department said on its website.
The department said the penalty system will complement criminal enforcement by the Canada Border Services Agency and RCMP, which can investigate suspected offences such as fraud, misrepresentation, and counselling misrepresentation.
IRCC said the penalties can apply to violators in Canada or abroad.
The department said it will follow a six-step process to determine whether to penalize someone it suspects of illegal activity. That process includes an inspection, delivery of a preliminary notice, delivery of a notice of violation, imposition of a monetary penalty, review of the violation, and publishing the person’s information online.
IRCC said individuals who fail to provide required documents during an inspection could face a $10,000 penalty in addition to any other penalties imposed.
Past Issues
Canada previously introduced several measures to combat immigration fraud, including targeting unlicensed consultants and fraudulent job offers.
The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants shut down 5,390 websites and social media pages operated by unauthorized immigration practitioners in 2025.
Ontario suspended its Skilled Trades Stream immigration program in November 2025 after an internal review found it vulnerable to widespread misrepresentation or fraud. Ontario had announced measures in November 2024 to penalize immigration consultants who engaged in fraud, including bans of 3 to 10 years and lifetime bans for those convicted of serious offences such as human trafficking.
Ottawa announced changes in December 2024 to prevent the sale of fraudulent job offers to foreign nationals seeking permanent residency.
The federal government eliminated additional points for immigration applicants with job offers supported by Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), which employers use to show a need to hire foreign workers. Applicants previously could receive 50 to 200 additional points toward permanent residency through such job offers.
Then-Immigration Minister Marc Miller said removing the incentive would discourage applicants from buying LMIAs and reduce fraud in the immigration system.
Conservatives have called for more action to curb immigration fraud. Conservative MP and immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner has called for immigration consultants to report to lawyers as a potential solution, adding that fraudulent immigration consultants “contribute to the chaos in Canada’s immigration system.”
