Estela Balansag-Oates

When you click through to the CICC public registry, you'll see one of three licence classes next to the RCIC number. They differ by what kinds of cases the consultant can handle.

RCIC - L1 · Conditional Practice.

A newly licensed consultant who has not yet completed the CICC mentoring program (required within their first 12 months). Same scope as L2 in practice, but considered conditional during the mentoring period.

RCIC - L2 · Restricted Practice.

Full immigration scope — visas, work and study permits, permanent residence, family sponsorship, citizenship. Cannot represent clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), so they cannot handle refugee claims, removal appeals, or sponsorship appeals.

RCIC-IRB - L3 · Unrestricted Practice.

Full scope of L2 plus authorization to represent clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board. Required for refugee claims, removal appeals, sponsorship appeals, and detention reviews. As of July 1, 2023, only L3 holders may practise before the IRB.

Source: College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).