{"id":2654,"date":"2026-11-14T05:00:23","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T05:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/?post_type=news&p=2654"},"modified":"2026-11-14T05:00:23","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T05:00:23","slug":"immigration-misrepresentation-fines-ghost-consultants-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/news\/immigration-misrepresentation-fines-ghost-consultants-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"New fines of up to $1.5 million for unauthorized immigration consultants and misrepresentation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Immigration law update \u00b7 Misrepresentation<\/p>\n

New administrative penalty regulations in force October 23, 2026 let IRCC fine unauthorized paid representatives and people who counsel or commit misrepresentation for others, and publish their names.<\/p>\n

By Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Published November 13, 2026 \u00b7 Reviewed November 13, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2019, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
The change at a glance<\/dt>\n
What changed<\/dt>\n
IRCC can now issue administrative fines for unauthorized paid representation, for misrepresentation by paid representatives, and for refusing to produce documents.<\/dd>\n
In force<\/dt>\n
October 23, 2026 (published in the Canada Gazette November 4, 2026)<\/dd>\n
Who it affects<\/dt>\n
People who represent or advise others for payment without being authorized, and paid representatives who counsel, commit or spread misrepresentation<\/dd>\n
What to do now<\/dt>\n
If a consultant or recruiter misled you, keep every receipt and message, and get advice on your own application<\/dd>\n
Source<\/dt>\n
SOR\/2026-220 (immigration) and SOR\/2026-221 (citizenship)<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

As of October 23, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada can fine people who represent or advise others in immigration or citizenship matters for payment without being authorized, and paid representatives who counsel, commit or spread misrepresentation, under new administrative penalty regulations (SOR\/2026-220 and SOR\/2026-221). Fines start at $5,000 for unauthorized representation and $15,000 for each misrepresentation violation, up to $1.5 million per notice, and the names of those found in violation are published on IRCC’s website. Only conduct after October 23, 2026 is covered.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, advises applicants affected by misrepresentation findings, including those misled by unauthorized consultants or recruiters.<\/p>\n

Before and after<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Violation<\/th>\nStarting fine<\/th>\nWhat else<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Unauthorized paid representation<\/strong><\/td>\n$5,000<\/td>\nPlus a multiplier for repeat violations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Counselling, committing or spreading misrepresentation (paid representatives)<\/strong><\/td>\n$15,000 each<\/td>\nPlus $15,000 if it causes an error, plus any money received<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Not producing documents when asked<\/strong><\/td>\n$10,000<\/td>\nApplies during an IRCC inspection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total per notice<\/strong><\/td>\nUp to $1.5 million<\/td>\nNames published after the 30-day review period<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Who it affects<\/h2>\n