Lasted Updates
Get timely updates on immigration, work eligibility, and health insurance for international students.
Disclaimer
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.
Overview
Authorized representatives advise and act on issues concerning Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Authorized representatives do not have special access to immigration-related programs and services, and no one can guarantee your application will be approved.
Paid representatives are qualified professionals who are accountable to their regulatory body and required to abide by strict ethical and professional rules designed to protect consumers.
Only the following people may charge a fee or receive any other type of payment to represent or advise you with a Canadian immigration proceeding or application:
Get help from an authorized representative at TWU
If you wish to discuss immigration-related questions, please be aware that only authorized legal representatives can be held responsible for providing guaranteed and accurate immigration advice to you. Seeking immigration advice from unauthorized individuals may result in your IRCC application facing issues.
TWU RCICs or RISIAs help TWU current international students understand Canadian immigration regulations and how to maintain legal status as international students in Canada. Other TWU staff, including program coordinators, can assist with your non-immigration related questions, but they will not be responsible for your immigration-related inquiries.
We can provide free immigration advice to international students and their dependents about:
- Study permits
- Temporary resident visas
- Study permits related to other permits currently available in Canadian immigration programs
However, TWU RCICs or RISIAs are not authorized to represent students in an immigration or citizenship case or complete immigration forms for students. Thus, we do not fill out and/or submit IRCC applications on behalf of TWU international students. For these services, students will require an RCIC or immigration lawyer for yourselves.
Find a representative by yourself!
At TWU, we do not refer students to specific authorized representatives. You can visit the link for a complete list below of authorized representatives.
Please note that not all representatives are knowledgeable about international student issues. See IRCC’s tips on choosing an immigration representative.
You might want to contact a lawyer for certain situations. The Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia and operated by the Access Pro Bono Society. LRS is available by telephone and online (limited areas). Please visit www.lrsbc.org for more information and for their contact information. The LRS program enables the public to access lawyers and provides the opportunity to have a consultation with a lawyer for up to 15 minutes free of charge.
Unauthorized representatives in Canada or abroad
IRCC won't deal with representatives who charge a fee but are not authorized (members of one of the above groups).
It's against the law to give false or misleading information in your application. You're responsible for all the information in your application even if your representative completes it for you. If you provide misleading or false information in your application, it could be refused.
You may have discovered that your representative is not authorized.
If you've already appointed the unauthorized representative to your file, update your application as soon as possible.
If you suspect your unauthorized representative committed fraud or provided misinformation about your application:
If your unauthorized representative breaks the law while acting on your behalf, they could be charged under the laws of their resident country or under:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to choose a representative?
At TWU, we do not refer our students to specific authorized representatives. When you choose a representative on you own, ask about their experience, knowledge, training, reference and client testimonials. Note that not all representatives are knowledgeable about international student issues.
How to find unpaid representatives?
Unpaid third parties include family members, friends, and non-profit or religious organizations. They may give the same services as paid representatives, but they do it for free.
You are responsible for all the information in your application, even if your representative completes it for you.
Beware of representatives who:
- advertise their services as free and later ask you to pay a fee
- advise you to lie on your application
It’s against the law to give false or misleading information in your application
Learn more about:
If you still have questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada?
- Workshops and Seminars: Our workshops and seminars are conducted regularly to help international students stay informed and empowered. Link to TWU Calendar.
- Service Hub: For personalized assistance in resolving immigration-related questions, please submit your inquiries through Service Hub. Our team is here to provide specific support and help with any concerns you may have. Please note that TWU RCICs or RISIAs can only advise international students, their spouses, common-law partners, and children. We do not submit IRCC applications on behalf of international students.