Planning a move to Canada is an important decision, often involving family savings, career changes and hopes for the future. It is understandable that applicants look for reassurance and guidance along the way.
At Rothe International Canada, we believe applicants deserve clear information, transparent service arrangements and advice they can trust.
We therefore welcome the new measures announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 28, 2026. We hope they will help protect applicants and support the work of professionals who serve their clients responsibly.
New measures to protect applicants
According to IRCC’s official announcement, the new penalties include:
Additional penalties may apply where an application is approved based on false or misleading information. Penalties increase for repeat violations, up to $1.5 million for all violations combined.
The measures apply to authorized professionals and unauthorized paid representatives, including those outside Canada. IRCC also plans to publish details of those penalized, with a public registry expected to launch in 2027.
Is your consultant authorized? Check their experience and credentials
Many applicants first learn about Canadian immigration through seminars, social media or recommendations from friends. These can be useful starting points, and client testimonials may offer insight into a firm’s service.
Before paying for advice, however, it is worth taking one further step: confirm who is authorized to provide the Canadian immigration advice you will receive.
A company’s history, a presenter’s experience or a professional qualification from another country does not, by itself, establish Canadian authorization. This does not mean that an overseas firm or seminar presenter is acting improperly. Some firms work with Canadian RCICs or lawyers, while other team members provide administrative support or general information.
What matters is that the arrangement is clear to you.
You may wish to ask:
These are ordinary questions when engaging a professional service—not an expression of distrust.
A careful approach to employment-related arrangements
A genuine Canadian employment opportunity can be valuable. Nevertheless, applicants should exercise care if asked to make payments connected with obtaining a job offer, an LMIA or employment documents.
Professional service fees should be clearly explained and distinguished from payments to secure employment. If you are uncertain about what a payment covers, seek clarification and, where necessary, independent advice before proceeding.
Any employment information used in an application should accurately reflect the actual position, duties and work performed. An arrangement that exists only on paper may create serious immigration risks.
Accurate information protects you, too
The new penalties focus on representatives, but applicants can also face a finding of misrepresentation if their applications contain material false or misleading information, or omit relevant facts.
Depending on the circumstances, this can result in refusal and a five-year period of inadmissibility to Canada. A finding may arise even where information was prepared or submitted by a representative; lack of knowledge does not necessarily protect an applicant from the consequences.
This does not mean that every mistake is misrepresentation, or that hiring an unauthorized representative automatically makes an applicant inadmissible. The facts and the significance of the information matter.
To help protect yourself:
If you discover an error after submission, obtain qualified advice promptly about how to address it.
If you have concerns about advice already received
It can be uncomfortable to question an arrangement after placing your trust in someone. Please do not feel embarrassed about seeking clarification or a second opinion.
Keep your agreements, receipts, messages and application records. If there is an IRCC deadline, arrange a timely review by an authorized professional rather than waiting for the concern to resolve itself.
A Message from Rothe International Canada
Since 1988, we have worked with applicants whose immigration plans represent years of preparation and considerable personal commitment.
Our reason for sharing this reminder is simple: we care about the people behind the applications. We want applicants to feel comfortable asking questions, checking credentials and understanding what is being submitted in their names.
Good advice may not always be the answer someone hopes to hear, but it should help them make informed decisions based on their true circumstances.
Taking a little time to verify advice today can help protect your family’s plans for tomorrow.
Read the above announcement here: IRCC — New penalties for fraudulent and unauthorized immigration and citizenship representatives, October 28, 2026
Get in Touch with Rothe International Canada
For personalised guidance on your eligibility and Canadian immigration options, our professional team can help you understand the requirements and plan your next steps.
Call (852) 2868 3780, email [email protected], or complete our online enquiry form.
Disclaimer
The information above is provided for general reference only. It is not a comprehensive explanation of Canadian immigration laws and does not replace professional advice tailored to your circumstances. Immigration requirements may change, and you should seek appropriate advice before acting on this information. Rothe International Canada accepts no liability for losses arising from reliance on this information.