Immigration Consulting in Quebec

To follow up on a previous Slaw blog post on proposed Quebec regulations to better control who may provide provincial immigration services to immigrants. As of February 2, 2011, only members of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) who are registered with the government of Quebec, lawyers and Quebec notaries will be able to offer consulting services for Quebec immigration.

In addition, all immigrants that hire an immigration consultant will be required to disclose the name of their consultant as part of the application process.

The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants and Immigration et Communautés culturelles Québec will provide an online list of consultants who are authorized to practice Quebec immigration.

Consultants who already hold CSIC membership must register as consultants with Immigration et Communautés culturelles Québec and submit a photocopy of their CSIC membership card by February 2, 2011. Members may also obtain a Member in Good Standing Certificate from CSIC to submit along with their registration.

All registered consultants must pass a government-administered exam on Quebec’s immigration rules within one year and demonstrate French-language proficiency within two years of their registration date.

More information is available here (in French only).