Canada Imposes New Penalties for Fraudulent Immigration Representatives
New monetary penalties for fraudulent and unauthorized immigration and citizenship representatives took effect in Canada on October 28, 2026. Fines range from $5,000 to $1.5 million, and an online registry of penalized individuals is expected to launch in 2027.
New monetary penalties targeting fraudulent and unauthorized immigration and citizenship representatives came into force across Canada on October 28, 2026. The regulations apply to paid representatives, including licensed immigration consultants, lawyers, authorized representatives, and individuals providing paid advice without authorization.
Under the new rules, a monetary penalty of $5,000 is imposed for providing paid advice or representation without authorization. A penalty of $15,000 applies for knowingly providing false or misleading information on an applicant’s behalf or helping an applicant do so. For repeat violations, penalties increase up to a maximum cumulative total of $1.5 million for all violations combined.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will publish the names of penalized individuals and details of their violations on its website to alert clients and increase transparency. An online registry for penalized representatives is expected to launch in 2027 following the administration of the first penalties.
The regulatory process began when draft regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 21, 2024. Final regulations are scheduled to be posted in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on November 4, 2026. Individuals who believe they have been incorrectly penalized can submit a request for review through a formal process.
The Government of Canada states that the measures are intended to protect applicants from fraud and exploitation, hold law-breaking representatives accountable, and strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration and citizenship systems.