This is a question I hear quite often from future RCICs:
“I don’t have a job or job offer, and I’m not ready to open my own business. What should I do while applying for the licensing?”
The answer may not be what everyone wants to hear, but it is important to understand the critical factors to complete the licensing process.
If you want to actively practise as an RCIC, there are essentially only two practical routes.
Option 1: Work for an Employer
You can work for an immigration firm, law firm, organization (such as DLI) or another eligible employer and have that employment properly registered with CICC.
But there is one practical problem: for brand-new RCICs, getting that first job is often very difficult (close to impossible).
Employers usually look for candidates who already have hands-on experience, while new licensees are looking for a job specifically to gain that experience. This creates the classic “no experience, no job — no job, no experience” problem.
Option 2: Open Your Own Practice
The second route is to establish your own immigration consulting practice and complete the applicable CICC registration requirements.
Many new RCICs immediately become nervous when they hear the words “open your own business.”
But opening a practice does not mean you need to start taking 20 clients from Day 1 and have to have physical office and few employees.
You can start slowly.
Set up the business properly. Build your systems. Learn your professional obligations. Find experienced people you can consult with. Take simpler files first. Gradually build confidence and experience. And don’t rent any office and/or hire any employee.
That is often a much more realistic way to enter practice.
“What If I Don’t Want Either Option?”
This is where I think future RCICs need to be very clear with themselves.
Sadly, there is no practical third route where you can simply keep the licence, occasionally take clients independently and practise without being connected to a properly registered employer or business structure.
Passing the EPE and receiving your licence is a major achievement, but the licence itself does not create a practice.
The real journey starts after licensing.
What Would We Recommend?
If you are unable to secure a job offer and that is stopping you from moving forward, I would not automatically give up on the licensing process.
I would seriously explore Option 2: starting your own practice with proper support.
The biggest mistake is not opening a business. The biggest mistake is opening one without knowing how to practise properly.
This is where mentorship, co-counsel support and practical guidance can make a huge difference during your first few months.
You do not need to know everything on Day 1. But you do need to know when to stop, when/how to research, when/how to ask for help and when a matter is beyond your current level of experience.
At ImmiMentor, our goal is to support RCICs beyond the EPE stage — from establishing a practice and understanding real-life file management to mentorship, professional development and CICC-approved CPD activities. Please check this link to explore our services that we offer to RCICs including setting up the business and providing CPDs.
Becoming an RCIC is one milestone. Becoming a confident and responsible immigration practitioner is the real journey.
We wish you all the very best.
