Who regulates immigration consultants
The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) is the national regulator that licenses and governs immigration and citizenship consultants in the public interest under the College Act, which established the current regime in 2021. Federal updates in 2025 reaffirm work to finalize regulations supporting the College’s governance and consumer protection mandate, including an improved registry and a prospective compensation fund framework. IRCC also ran a 2025 selection process to refresh the College’s board, underscoring ongoing governance modernization.
Flagship industry conference (NCIC)
The sector’s marquee educational gathering is CAPIC’s National Citizenship and Immigration Conference (NCIC), which in 2025 ran May 14–16 in Lake Louise, Alberta, marking CAPIC’s 20th anniversary under the theme “Opportunities Through Change: Scaling New Peaks.” NCIC brings together RCICs, RISIAs, policymakers, academics, and service providers for keynotes, policy briefings, and hands‑on sessions that translate new rules into practice. Media and organizational notices highlight NCIC’s role as the annual hub for high‑value learning, networking, and regulator engagement for consultants.
What’s next for NCIC
Planning for future editions continues, with CAPIC indicating forthcoming programming into 2026, including events in the Greater Toronto Area to serve Canada’s largest consultant base. Expect a continued focus on timely IRCC policy changes, compliance, fraud prevention, student pathways, and business immigration as 2026–27 priorities evolve.
CICC Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Separate from NCIC, the College convenes an AGM for licensees; in 2025 it was held on November 27 in Calgary at the TELUS Convention Centre with hybrid attendance. The AGM focuses on governance, finances, regulatory performance, and an open Q&A with College leadership—complementing, rather than duplicating, NCIC’s training‑oriented agenda.
CICC Research Symposium
CICC launched a Research Symposium series to advance evidence‑based regulation and global dialogue, with the 2024 edition in Toronto themed “The World on the Move: Navigating Migration, Regulatory Excellence, and Research in the Modern Era.” The program brought regulators, scholars, and practitioners from Canada, the UK, Australia, and beyond to examine economic outcomes, public protection, and competency‑based regulation in a fast‑shifting migration landscape.
Mandatory CPD for licensees
CICC requires Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) to complete at least 16 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year via approved activities such as accredited conferences, workshops, and webinars. RCICs may also apply for recognition of individual activities—like teaching, publishing, or case study facilitation—subject to pre‑approval timelines set by the College.
CPD providers and event options
CAPIC delivers one of the broadest CPD portfolios, offering dozens of hours annually across English and French programming aligned to day‑to‑day practice. Additional approved providers host live and on‑demand sessions, helping practitioners meet the annual requirement while targeting niche topics (e.g., temporary streams, enforcement, student advising).
Specialization and mentoring
The CICC Specialization Program enables RCICs to qualify for the RCIC‑IRB class to represent clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board, with cohorts scaled up to meet demand. By mid‑2025, reporting indicates more than 1,700 consultants had completed specialization, reflecting rapid uptake of tribunal‑ready training. The New‑Licensee Mentoring Program remains mandatory for consultants receiving a Letter of Authority after July 1, 2022, pairing new practitioners with experienced mentors to strengthen competence.
International student advising (RISIA)
CICC regulates the Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) class for advising within educational institutions, complemented by the CBIE‑run International Students and Immigration Education Program (ISIEP), a 15‑week pathway that prepares candidates for the entry‑to‑practice exam. This stream responds to evolving student policy and compliance expectations, including integrity measures affecting study permits and PGWP eligibility.
2025–26 regulatory and performance updates
Government publications in late 2024 and 2025 outline the finalization of College regulations to bolster consumer protection, clarify powers, and modernize oversight tools. The College’s 2025 reporting highlights progress on complaint backlogs, education satisfaction above 90%, and a strengthened public registry experience to inform client choice. System‑wide anti‑fraud efforts continue, with thousands of unauthorized practice websites and social pages disrupted to protect applicants from misleading or illicit services.
Why these forums matter
Together, NCIC, the CICC AGM, and the Research Symposium form a layered learning and accountability ecosystem: practice‑focused CPD at NCIC, governance transparency at the AGM, and evidence‑based policy exchange at the Symposium. For consultants, this ecosystem directly supports license maintenance, ethical practice, and readiness for fast‑moving IRCC program changes.
Practical tips for RCICs and RISIAs
- Calendar NCIC and major provider events early to secure CPD seats aligned to your practice mix and the 16‑hour annual requirement.
- Track specialization and mentoring milestones in the College Portal to avoid delays in RCIC‑IRB qualification or new‑licensee obligations.
- Monitor the College’s News & Insights and IRCC notices for regulatory updates that can affect intake, eligibility, and compliance workflows.
Key references and official touchpoints
The College’s website posts AGM information, annual and progress reports, specialization cohorts, and notices, while IRCC’s planning documents detail the broader policy context and regulatory finishing work. Gazette publications provide authoritative background on the College Act and the scope of the regulator’s mandate across licensing, standards, CPD, and public education.