Who Can Represent You Before the IRB? Understanding RCIC and RCIC-IRB Roles

Moving to Canada or staying here can feel like a big puzzle. Whether you’re applying to live here, seeking safety, or fighting to stay, you need the right person to help. At Immigrative Visa Services, our RCIC-IRB experts are ready to guide you with care and know-how.

In this post, we’ll explain the difference between a regular immigration consultant (RCIC) and a special one (RCIC-IRB) in a way that’s easy to understand. Then, we’ll share all the ways we can help you, with real-life examples of situations we work on, especially for people from Latin America and beyond.

RCIC vs. RCIC-IRB: What’s the Difference?

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are licensed professionals, designated as Class L2 – RCIC by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). They assist with applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), such as:

• Getting a student visa

• Applying for a work permit

• Becoming a permanent resident

• Bringing family members to Canada

These consultants, known as Class L2–RCIC, work with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process your applications.

However, some immigration issues are more complex, such as when you need to appear in a specialized hearing, known as the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). This is where RCIC-IRB consultants, or Class L3 – RCIC-IRB, come in. They’re like specialists who can do everything a regular RCIC does, plus represent you in IRB hearings. The IRB deals with significant issues like:

• Refugee claims (asking for safety in Canada)

• Appeals (challenging a “no” decision)

• Detention reviews (helping you get out if you’re held)

• Admissibility hearings (proving you can stay in Canada)

At Immigrative, our Class L3 – RCIC-IRB consultants can help with both simple applications and tough IRB cases, so you’re covered no matter what.

All the Ways We Can Help You

Our Class L3 – RCIC-IRB consultants provide a range of services to address your immigration concerns. Below, we list each service, along with examples of situations we can assist with, focusing on problems common to Latin American and other clients.

Refugee Protection Claims

We help people who aren’t safe in their home country because of things like their beliefs, who they are, or dangers like violence or torture. We prepare a special form called the Basis of Claim (BOC), collect evidence, and represent you at your IRB hearing.

• Case Study: A journalist from Venezuela is scared to go home because they wrote about government wrongs and got threats.

• Case Study: A shop owner from Honduras can’t return because gangs are demanding money and threatening their life.

Refugee Appeals

If your refugee claim gets a “no,” we can ask the IRB to look at it again, pointing out mistakes or adding new information.

• Case Study: An activist from Colombia is told they can’t stay, even though they faced danger for speaking out.

• Case Study: A teacher from Nigeria is denied protection despite facing risks due to their political views.

Detention Reviews

If you’re detained by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), we can advocate for your release at an Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) hearing, presenting evidence to support your case.

• Case Study: A person from El Salvador is detained because their ID papers are unclear, leaving them worried.

• Case Study: A family from Mexico is held after crossing the border, unsure about their future.

Admissibility Hearings

If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says you can’t stay because of mistakes or other issues, we defend you at an IRB hearing to keep you in Canada.

• Case Study: A worker from Venezuela is instructed to leave after a minor error on their visa application.

• Case Study: A student from Iran faces trouble due to unclear details on their study permit application.

Immigration Appeals

If your application to bring family, maintain your status, or stay in Canada is denied, we may appeal to the IRB to reconsider the decision.

• Case Study: A person from Colombia can’t bring their spouse because officials doubt their relationship is real.

Residency Obligation Appeals

If you’re a permanent resident but spent too much time outside Canada (less than 730 days in five years), we appeal to the IRB to keep your status.

• Case Study: A person from Spain might lose their status after staying abroad to care for a sick relative.

• Case Study: A business owner from Mexico faces challenges due to frequent business travel.

Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Applications

If you don’t qualify for other immigration options, we request permission to stay in Canada due to your strong ties here or the dangers you face in your home country.

• Case Study: A family from El Salvador with children born in Canada worries about being separated.

• Case Study: A worker from Mexico has no one left in their home country but faces the prospect of leaving Canada.

Pre-Removal Risk Assessments (PRRA)

If you’re told to leave Canada, we verify whether it’s safe to send you back, using evidence such as country reports.

• Case Study: A mom from Venezuela is scared to return because of growing violence.

• Case Study: A young man from Colombia fears going back where armed groups are active.

Stay of Removal Applications

If you’re facing deportation but have a case in progress, we ask that your removal be delayed until a decision is made.

• Case Study: A family from Honduras is told to leave while waiting for their H&C application.

• Case Study: A person from Iran faces the prospect of leaving but has an ongoing refugee appeal.

Sponsorship Applications and Appeals

We help you apply to bring your spouse, kids, or parents to Canada and appeal if the application is denied.

• Case Study: A person from Colombia is denied entry due to questions about the authenticity of their relationship.

• Case Study: A parent from El Salvador is unable to join their family due to financial requirements.

Legal Advice and Planning

We provide guidance, review refusal letters, and plan the best steps to achieve your goals, such as staying in Canada or becoming a citizen.

• Case Study: A family from Venezuela is uncertain about whether to appeal a denied sponsorship or try again.

• Case Study: A worker from Mexico requires assistance after their work permit application is denied.

Document Preparation and Government Talks

We ensure that your forms and papers for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) are correct and communicate with government offices on your behalf.

• Case Study: A student from Colombia gets a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada asking about their study permit.

• Case Study: A professional from Venezuela experiences difficulties with missing documents for their residency application.

Why Choose Immigrative?

At Immigrative Visa Services, our Class L3 – RCIC-IRB experts make your immigration journey easier. Here’s why people pick us:

• Extra Skills: We handle both Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada applications and IRB hearings, unlike regular RCICs.

• Speak Your Language: We offer help in English, French, Spanish, and Farsi.

• Trusted Worldwide: We’ve helped people from over 42 countries with honesty and care.

Take the Next Step Today

Choosing between an RCIC and an RCIC-IRB consultant can make a big difference in your immigration case. Whether you need help with a refugee claim, a family sponsorship, or an IRB hearing, our Class L3 – RCIC-IRB experts are here for you. Book a consultation today. Please provide any relevant letters, application details, or documents for your consultation so we can better understand your situation.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general understanding and should not be considered legal advice. Every immigration case is different.