IRCC

OLA Canada Immigration Introduction Series  1: Canada Immigration System

Canada Immigration Legal Foundation

The Canadian immigration legal system primarily consists of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). These two statutes outline Canada’s policies on immigration and refugees, specifying application processes, eligibility criteria, and legal responsibilities. IRPA ensures fairness and legality in the immigration process, providing a clear legal framework for immigrants and asylum seekers. IRPR details the implementation details and specific procedures of immigration policies.

Canada Immigration Government System

Canada’s immigration government system encompasses several key institutions, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) being the most crucial. As a federal immigration agency, IRCC is responsible for formulating and executing nationwide immigration policies. Through various immigration programs, including economic, family reunification, and refugee categories, they offer diverse immigration pathways for applicants with different needs.

One of the collaborating institutions with IRCC is the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). As an independent entity, the IRB handles appeals and decisions on refugee and immigration cases, ensuring fairness and transparency in the fields of immigration and refugee protection.

Additionally, each province and territory in Canada has immigration offices that primarily deal with provincial nominee programs and regional special immigration projects. After nomination by a province or territory, final approval rests with the federal immigration authority, IRCC.

Canada Immigration Consultants

Section 91 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) explicitly states that individuals authorized to provide fee-based immigration law consulting services are limited to Canadian lawyers, registered consultants (RCIC), and other members of law societies.

Throughout the entire immigration process, immigration consultants play a crucial role. Immigration consultants are professionals trained and certified by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) to provide expert advice on immigration policies and procedures. They collaborate with applicants to ensure thorough preparation of application materials in compliance with regulations and assist in addressing potential issues. The expertise of immigration consultants ensures a smoother and more efficient immigration experience for applicants while safeguarding their rights.

The official CICC website offers a link to search for all licensed immigration consultants in Canada: https://college-ic.ca/protecting-the-public/find-an-immigration-consultant