The YU RCIC-RISIA Group is a group of professional Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Regulated International Students Immigration Advisor (RISIA) working at York University in various capacities to support international students, researchers, faculties and staff with respect to the Canadian immigration regulations. The group members are supervised by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), an organization designated by IRCC that oversees Canadian immigration professionals since 2011.
The YU RCIC-RISIA Group connects and develops a group of professional immigration consultants within the York community. While promoting and protecting the integrity, the organizational identity and the values of ICCRC, the group sets a high standard of professional services and dedication to the international students, researchers, faculties and staff, and visiting scholars community at York University. Established in September 2017, the YU RCIC-RISIA Group focuses on improving the overall immigration services to the York community in the following aspects:
- Identify immigration issues and challenges affecting international students and visiting scholars;
- Enhance and standardize the communications across campus regarding the services provided;
- Build protocol and guideline for the group's practice, ensure consistency in immigration policy interpretation and practices of services for the York community;
- Improve and exchange professional knowledge and encourage professional development;
- Recognize the risk and legal liabilities of the profession within the university;
- Bridge collective voice to relevant governmental departments and organizations regarding pressing issues the York community encounters.
Carol Tang
Immigration Specialist, York International, ctang101@yorku.ca
Carol Tang, the Immigration Specialist at York International, joined York University in 2015 as the very first Immigration Specialist serving the York community as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing. Carol’s major role at York International includes providing immigration advising to international students, supporting the success in transition for new international students, assisting the York community in various immigration related areas, facilitating overseas researchers’ visits etc. As the first Immigration Specialist, Carol is committed to educating and promoting the immigration compliance of international students and scholars by working closely with the ISSS team and various departments across campus.
With more than 10 years of experience in professional immigration consulting, Carol received her RCIC designation in 2013. Prior to joining York University, Carol worked as an individual immigration consultant specializing in Economic Class, Family Class, PNP, Temporary Residence, Refugee, and Citizenship matters.
Ann Welsh
International Student Support Specialist, Student Services & International Relations, Schulich School of Business, awelsh@schulich.yorku.ca
Ann Welsh is the International Student Support Specialist and a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at the Schulich School of Business, York University. She provides specialized immigration assistance and transition support to Schulich international students throughout their lifecycle at Schulich, as well as acting as an immigration subject matter expert for the wider Schulich community.
Ann has been an RCIC since 2012 and is a member in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) as well as the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC). Prior to stepping into her current position at York University, Ann worked as an RCIC for a well-established immigration law firm in Toronto as well as her own private practice, representing clients on a wide range of temporary and permanent residence files. She was also extensively involved in immigration initiatives in Northern Ontario, assisting in the development and management of an immigrant settlement agency and building community capacity with respect to immigration.
Claudia McPherson
Affirmative Action Immigration and Relocation Officer, Faculty Relations, mcpherc@yorku.ca
Educated in the UK and Canada, Claudia has worked as an immigration and relocation practitioner for fifteen years in various sectors. Entering York in 2005 as the Relocation Coordinator (and certified as a Canadian Employee Relocation Professional), Claudia’s expanded role includes providing immigration and relocation assistance for faculty and senior managerial appointments, and assistance in coordinating YUFA’s Affirmative Action program.
Based in Faculty Relations, Claudia has been a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) since 2012, so is legally permitted to advise on Canadian immigration matters. She is also a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants.
Claudia provides immigration assistance and transition support to newly appointed and renewing academics, e.g. professors, Post-Doctoral Fellows, visiting professors, Canada Research Chairs and Deans throughout their lifecycle at York until permanent residency is achieved. Support also includes the preparation and submission of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications for professorial/decanal appointments.
Central International Student Immigration Service
- Compliance Report - Comply with government requirement, conduct and submit semi-annual report to IRCC regarding academic status of all international students.
- International students advising - Provide daily immigration advising to the entire international student community including current and prospective students, and ensure immigration compliance.
- IVRT - Support academic excellence and research by assisting Faculties in inviting temporary visiting researcher while ensuring the legal compliance of the Canadian government regulations.
Faculty Specific Immigration Services
- Schulich School of Business – Support Schulich’s international students regarding immigration issues and concerns pre and post arrival at York University.
- Glendon Campus – Internationally oriented campus specialized in French language serving the bilingual international student population in immigration related subject matters.
Immigration Services for Staff and International Visitors
- Employer Compliance – Support the academic employment and research through ensuing the university’s legal compliance with the government requirements as an employer.
- Working Authorization – Support excellence in teaching and research by ensuring international staff and researchers are complying with the immigration requirements and regulations.
IRCC Updates
- New York and Los Angeles VAC closure November 2018
- More families to reunite in Canada August 20th, 2018
- Biometric collection services available at certain locations July5th, 2018
- IRCC reduces Express Entry permanent residence application deadline to 60 days June 26th, 2018
- Improving Francophone immigrant services at Pearson Airport June 18th, 2018
- Global Skills Strategy: Reflecting on a Year of Success June 13th 2018
- IRCC introduces Student Direct Stream for faster study permit processing for India, China, Vietnam and Philippines June 8th, 2018
- Canada intends to lift the Visa requirements on the UAE May28th, 2018
Canadian Immigration News
- Visitor visa applications from China made easier November 23rd, 2018
- Cannabis legalization and Regulation October 17th, 2018
- Biggest immigration fraudster in Canadian history left $900k fine unpaid June 29th, 2018 CBC
- Canadian officials battle migration scams June 26th, 2018 Vancouver Sun
- Canada already seeing effects of Trump’s immigration clampdown June 22nd, 2018 Global
- Long and hard journey for refugee claimants May 2018th, 2018
- Virtual kidnapping scheme targeting Chinese international students April11th, 2018 RCMP
- Mexican parents living in immigration limbo while waiting for policy change March 19th, 2018
For more information, check out the Immigration Information Overview page
ICCRC is the national regulatory body designated by the Canadian government in 2011 to oversees regulated Canadian immigration, citizenship and international student advising service professionals.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) represents the federal level of Canadian government in matters dealing with immigration and refugees to Canada, as well as Canadian citizenship.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) provides various types of social services including employment insurance, family benefits, temporary foreign worker hiring, housing benefits, and public pensions, etc.
CBIE is the national organization leading Canadian international education by creating expertise, building leadership, and sharing knowledge. CBIE's members includes more than 150 institutions, colleges, universities and school boards across Canada which supported over 100 projects worldwide.
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) is a provincial level of government that administers immigration and international trade issues and provides services to help integrate newcomers and refugees.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is a federal agency that is responsible for Canada's border security, immigration enforcement and custom services by overseeing international travel and trades.
