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Authorized Representative, Immigration Practitioner, RCIC, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors, RISIA
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
In Canada, the role of an immigration consultant is to advise individuals, employers, and organizations on immigration-related matters. They ensure applicants meet the legal requirements of Canada’s immigration laws. Immigration consultants help people navigate the immigration system.
In general, immigration consultants oversee all aspects of the visa and immigration process. They:
Immigration consultants may help human resources personnel understand immigration rules related to their organization’s foreign workers.
Some immigration consultants have specialized or limited duties.
Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (RCIC-IRB) licence holders are the only ones authorized to practise before the IRB. They:
Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) are authorized to provide immigration advice only to students. They:
A citizenship consultant offers Canadian citizenship consulting services. Some consultants offer both immigration and citizenship consulting services.
Many immigration consultants work as sole practitioners or as partners with their own professional corporations.
Most work from home or in an office setting during standard weekday hours. Some travel and must work overtime on occasion.
Immigration consultants need:
Immigration consultants are often involved in lengthy procedural and legal processes. This carries much responsibility. They should be at ease representing clients before agencies.
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 77 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 18, 2021 and Apr 22, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 42 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 41 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 39 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 39 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 39 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 39 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 38 |
| Construction Specialization: Values and ethics | 38 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 38 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 35 |
To work as an immigration consultant, you must be licensed as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA).
The programs below are the only accepted educational pathways to becoming an RCIC. They are both offered online:
The only accepted educational pathway to becoming a RISIA is the International Students and Immigration Education Program. You can take this through the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
Besides licensure, employers generally require proficiency in English or French. They also require Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, or membership with a First Nation
Immigration consultants must keep up with Canada’s immigration system and policies. These include:
Consultants who work with foreign workers need knowledge of and experience with related immigration programs. Examples include the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
They need some clerical knowledge to prepare briefs, pleadings, and other documents. They need to be familiar with immigration practice management rules and obligations.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act [pdf] and Citizenship Act [pdf], to provide Canadian immigration services for a fee in Canada or abroad, you must be one of the following:
CICC offers the following license types:
Annual education is required to keep registration up to date. For details about all registration requirements, contact CICC or visit the CICC website.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Some immigration consultants are self-employed. They must market their services and maintain good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Other immigration consultants work for:
Immigration consultants who work for consulting firms may become team leaders and senior consultants.
With experience in a consulting firm, many immigration consultants set up their own firms. Even experienced practitioners who leave salaried positions to become consultants must often subcontract their services to established consultants before building their own client base.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 4164: Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group, 85.4% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4164: Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 77 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
In 2022, the following numbers of individuals were licensed by CICC in Alberta:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $23.08 | $43.90 | $34.75 | $36.05 |
| Overall | $26.10 | $54.40 | $41.66 | $41.29 |
| Top | $30.77 | $62.20 | $44.15 | $47.04 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $81,494 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $37,986 |
| Educational Services | $65,165 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $97,826 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $66,040 |
| Public Administration | $85,819 |
Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants website: www.capic.ca
College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC): college-ic.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 23, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
