Toronto, June 25, 2004
A representative who acts on behalf
of visa-seekers must be authorised and could be an immigration
consultant with good standing in the Canadian Society of Immigration
Consultants. The representative can also be a lawyer who is
a member of a Canadian law society and students-at-law or a
notary who is a member of the Chambre des notaries du Quebec.
All Applicants must disclose the
details of their representative when they apply for a visa.
An applicant whose application processing is already underway
as of April 13, 2004, may continue to use the services of a
paid representative until April 13, 2008. After that date, if
the paid representative is not a member of any of the organisations
already mentioned, the applicant could choose to continue unrepresented
or hire an authorised representative.
Applicants can also be represented
by family members, friends and members of non-governmental or
religious organisations as long as no fees are charged for their
services. No one is obliged to hire a representative for immigration
and refugee matters.
