RCIC: what it means for students
Regulated Canadian immigration consultant. What it means, who decides it and where to check the official source.
An RCIC is a licensed immigration consultant regulated by a Canadian college; only licensed professionals may give paid immigration advice in Canada.
In more detail
A regulated Canadian immigration consultant holds a licence from the regulatory college for immigration and citizenship consultants. Lawyers and certain other licensed professionals can also represent applicants.
Paid immigration advice and representation are regulated activities. Study Master Canada can prepare and submit your college application with your approval, but it does not provide immigration advice.
Where a family wants regulated immigration work, that is handled by Visa Master Canada, a separate licensed RCIC firm, when retained directly by the family.
Who decides
The regulatory college licenses and oversees consultants; you decide whom to retain.
Where to check
- College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
Public register of licensed consultants.
What to ask a counsellor
- How do I check that someone offering immigration advice is licensed?
- Which parts of your service are counselling, and which need a licensed professional?
Questions about a term?
Bring it to a free counselling session. We explain how schools and programs work and help you prepare questions. We do not give immigration advice.
Independent advice
- Study Master Canada is an independent education counselling firm. We are an authorized agent of certain colleges and universities, directly and through recruitment partners, and the institutions compensate us. Our counselling is free to you.
- We help you choose a program and connect you with the college.
- We do not determine eligibility or funding, and we are not affiliated with any government.
- Regulated immigration work is done only by Visa Master Canada, a licensed RCIC partner, and only when you retain them directly.