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Using an immigration representative

Immigration consultants, lawyers, and other representatives give immigration advice and help to immigration applicants, usually for a fee.

You do not need to hire an immigration representative to help you with your immigration application. It is your decision. Your application will not be given special attention or guaranteed approval if you use a consultant or lawyer.

All the forms and information that you need to apply to immigrate to Alberta are available for free from the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). If you follow the instructions online and in the application guide, you can complete the application forms and submit them on your own.

If you hire a representative, make sure you fill out the applicable use of a representative form. If you are applying to the AINP, you can find the appropriate AINP – Use of a Representative form on the AINP Application Forms page. If you are applying to CIC, you can find their Use of a Representative form on the CIC website.

If you hire a representative but do not declare this on your application forms, this is considered to be false and misleading information and will result in your AINP application being declined.

The AINP reserves the right to contact you directly regarding your application, even if you do use an authorized representative.

Please read the following information before deciding whether you should hire an immigration representative:

  • You do not need to hire an immigration representative to apply for immigration or for Canadian citizenship.
  • Immigration representatives do not have special connections with Alberta or Canadian government officials and cannot guarantee your application will be successful. Only authorized officers with the AINP and CIC (including Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates) can make decisions on your application.
  • Before you pay anyone a fee, check their credentials to make sure they are members of one of the organizations above.
  • Don’t be tempted into using false documents or making false statements on your immigration application forms. This is illegal and will result in the refusal of your application.
  • Beware of internet scams and false websites. Some websites may appear to be official government websites, but the information they contain may be inaccurate or out of date. The official Immigrate to Alberta website operated by the Government of Alberta is www.albertacanada.com/immigration. The official website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is www.cic.gc.ca.
  • All the forms you need to apply to the AINP are available for free. You will also find free application forms and guides for on CIC’s website.
  • Processing fees are the same at all Canadian visa offices around the world. Fees in local currency are based on official exchange rates and correspond with the amount in Canadian dollars.
  • Canadian visa offices will never ask you to deposit money into an individual’s personal bank accounts or to transfer money through a specific private money transfer company.

To read more, including information on who can legally represent you if you choose to hire an immigration representative, visit CIC’s web pages on Immigration Representatives.

Find out more about fraud at the CIC’s website.

If you think your immigration representative has treated you unfairly or broken the law while representing you, the CIC website has information on how to file a complaint.

Date Updated: Jul 13, 2011
RDP:946