News & Insights

 

News and Insights

This page contains news and information from the College and from various sources.

Expand Your RCIC Practice and Represent Clients Before the IRB

 

The (IRB) is Canada's largest independent administrative tribunal, responsible for making decisions on immigration and refugee matters, in accordance with the law. The IRB decides, among other responsibilities, who needs refugee protection in Canada.

According to the , the IRB issued a record 102,500 immigration and refugee-related decisions in 2024鈥2025, with more cases awaiting processing.

The Role of Licensed Professionals
Practice before the IRB is a restricted area of practice. As of July 1, 2023, only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) with an RCIC-IRB class of licence are authorized to practise before the IRB. Providing IRB representation without the appropriate licence constitutes a breach of the Code of Professional Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.

Pathway to IRB Practice
The College鈥檚 Specialization Program prepares RCICs with the knowledge, skills and judgement required to practise safely and ethically before the IRB. RCICs with a Class L1 or Class L2 licence who complete the Specialization Program and pass the Specialization Exam can obtain the RCIC-IRB class of licence.

Program Milestone and Success Stories
In 2025, the College marked the completion of 100 Specialization Program groups, a milestone that reflects sustained confidence and value to RCICs. Between July 2024 and June 2025, RCIC surveys showed satisfaction rates of more than 90% for the program curriculum, alignment with expectations, delivery and value to their IRB clients.

鈥淭he program is very well designed, organized and presented with a well-versed, expert facilitator and interactive method of delivery,鈥濃痮ne RCIC shared.

Specialization Program Registration is Open
RCICs interested in expanding their scope of practice to represent clients before the IRB are encouraged to:

  1. Review the Specialization Program Course and Live Tutorial Dates and application deadlines.
  2. Submit the鈥.
  3. Pay the program fee when placed in a group.

For questions about the Specialization Program, visit the College website or contact sp-ps@college-ic.ca.

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