Katarina Onuschak for Director!
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Every person who wants to become a licensed immigration consultant must comply with strict admission requirements and meet educational and language standards as set by the Society. In addition, the Society imposes extremely high standards on its members that often exceed the standards set for lawyers. General public can rest assured that every CSIC member is fully qualified and well aware of his/her duties to the client – the consumer.
CSIC members must also participate in Continuing Professional Development program as mandated by the Society. This will ensure that we all stay informed about the development in immigration legislation, of case law and its implication for our practice. A very important part of this program is continuing enforcement of ethical standards and understanding implications of being able to advise the client on immigration matters.
We have to carry Error and Omission Insurance – just like lawyers do. This is for the protection of the consumer and the consultant – even the best of us can make a mistake that can be detrimental to the client. If a client feels that the consultant did not act in his best interest and that his/her actions caused him damage, he/she has the right to file a complaint to CSIC and after investigation, CSIC suggests the client and the consultant how to settle the dispute.
We have a CSIC identification card that is a proof of our membership. If in doubt, the client can verify the consultant’s status on CSIC website.
As of April 13, 2006 only graduates from accredited programs will be eligible to apply for membership.
The applicant must be a graduate from one of the following accredited programs and provide the Society with a copy of the graduation certificate and the original transcript of marks sent by the Institution:
Ashton College, Immigration Consultant Diploma Program, Vancouver, British Columbia
Bow Valley College, Immigration Practitioner Course, Calgary, AB
Humber College, Immigration Consultant Certificate Program, Toronto, ON
La Salle College, Immigration Consultant Attestation, Montreal, QC
O’Sullivan College, Immigration Practitioner Attestation, Montreal, QC We were not able to find information about the Immigration Practitioner Attestation on the website and we cannot provide relevant link.
Seneca College, Immigration Practitioner Certificate Program, Toronto, N
University of British Columbia, Immigration Practitioner Certificate Program, Vancouver, BC
All applicants must successfully pass the following mandatory tests: Language Proficiency test (prerequisite to Full Membership Exam)– Chart outlining standards; Full Membership exam.
Each applicant must provide Police Certificates from every country in which the applicant has resided for six months or more in the ten (10) years previous to the date of the application for membership. Applicants who are unable to provide any such certificates for reasons acceptable to CSIC may be exempted from this requirement by CSIC in relation to a specific Police Certificate.
Each applicant must provide a statutory declaration attesting that he/she has no criminal record in any country that he/she has resided in for six 6) consecutive months or more since the age of 18 years, OR if the applicant has a criminal record in the form of one or more convictions, then a statutory declaration that provides the details thereof accompanied with a Pardon.
RCMP Fingerprint Clearance Certificate; each applicant that has resided in Canada for six consecutive months or more in the last ten (10) years must provide an RCMP Fingerprint Clearance Certificate within nine (9) months of the date of application for membership. It is a mandatory requirement to submit the original form to the Society.
Statutory declaration stating whether or not you have been the subject of an investigation by a Regulatory Authority within the last ten (10) years which could or has resulted in the suspension or in conditions under which you are or have been allowed to resign from the Regulatory Authority. If you have been or will be allowed to resign, then a statutory declaration is required which provides the details. Statutory declaration stating whether or not the applicant has ever filed for bankruptcy and if so the applicant must provide the Bankruptcy Discharge papers.
CSIC recognizes that applicants for membership will require time to obtain both the fingerprint clearance certificates and the police certificates from outside of Canada therefore CSIC will allow a nine (9) month grace period from the date of application for membership to provide these documents in original form. In order to take advantage of the grace period CSIC must receive proof that the request for the documents has been made.
CSIC requires all applicants to disclose to the Society all business relationships (i.e. Partnerships or corporate structure, agent relationships and similar business arrangements associated with your immigration consultancy practice) connected with their work as Immigration Consultants. This is a positive requirement that must be met prior to registration as a member and must be updated each time a member seeks re-registration with the Society. If applicable, copies of partnership agreements and registrations or articles of corporation showing shareholders, directors, and officer information. MANDATORY a statutory declaration listing whether or not you have any established business relationships or lack thereof. This document must be submitted in original form. If applicable, other such documents that may assist CSIC in review of your application.
All Members must carry Professional Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance. CSIC had arranged professional Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance through ACE INA for the membership. The anniversary day for the annual coverage is April 13th which coincides with the calendar day that the regulations providing the authority for CSIC came into effect. CSIC has a requirement that the members have this coverage unless acceptable evidence can be provided to CSIC that the member has alternative coverage.
An application will not be accepted from a person who has been struck off or is currently under suspension, from the registry of a Regulatory Authority or Professional Body as a result of a disciplinary process within the last ten (10) years or a person who has the current status of a bankrupt (applicant must obtain Bankruptcy Discharge documents).
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