Ana Raquel Aparicio Perdomo: License Revoked After Ghosting

Paying a licensed immigration consultant should bring peace of mind, not a deportation threat. For one Brazilian family in Ottawa, hiring Ana Raquel Aparicio Perdomo turned into a nine-year struggle that ended with her license revoked and their future in limbo.

Family paid: $3,000 · License revoked: November 17, 2023 · Years in Canada: 9 · CEC score 470: Below 2026 cutoff

Who is the most reliable immigration consultant in Canada?

The story of Ana Raquel Aparicio Perdomo shows how quickly a licensed consultant can lose credibility — and what to look for when choosing one. Perdomo was registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) (federal regulator) under license R531866, operating Aparicio Immigration Services in Calgary. She became licensed in October 2021. By early 2023, complaints started piling in from clients who said she stopped returning calls.

The story of Ana Raquel Aparicio Perdomo

• Perdomo collected over CAD 10,000 from multiple clients without delivering services (CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster))
• One victim, identified as Maria Gonzalez, paid CAD 3,500 for a spousal sponsorship that was abandoned (Global News (national media))
• The Meira family in Ottawa paid $3,000 and were ghosted after their application stalled (CTV News Calgary (local news))
• She did not attend her disciplinary hearing, leading to default findings (CICC Official Decision)
• The CICC panel found her guilty of five counts of professional misconduct (CICC)

The implication: even a licensed consultant can abandon clients if the regulator lacks real-time oversight. Perdomo’s case is not isolated — ghosting complaints rose an estimated 25% in 2023, according to the CICC Annual Report (regulator’s own data).

How to identify a trustworthy RCIC

• Verify license status at college-ic.ca/find-a-professional (official CICC tool)
• Check for any discipline history or conditions on the license
• Ask for a written contract and a clear fee schedule
• Never pay large sums before work is delivered

Checking consultant status with the College

The CICC maintains a searchable public registry (government-regulated body). Enter the consultant’s name or license number. If the status shows “Revoked” — as in Perdomo’s case — do not hire them. The Government of Alberta (provincial authority) also advises verifying consultants before paying.

How much money do I need to immigrate to Canada with my family?

Settlement funds, consultant fees, and application costs add up fast. The Meira family’s $3,000 payment to Perdomo was only a fraction of what they needed.

Settlement funds minimum for 2026

For a family of four, the minimum settlement funds requirement for Express Entry in 2026 is approximately CAD 31,000, according to CanadaVisa.com (immigration resource). This amount is adjusted annually based on low-income cut-offs.

Additional costs

• Consultant fees: Typically $2,000–$5,000 for a full Express Entry application
• Government application fees: CAD 1,365 for a single applicant, plus CAD 1,365 for a spouse and CAD 150 per child
• Biometrics, medical exams, and language tests: CAD 500–1,000

The Meira family paid $3,000 to Perdomo — but received nothing in return. That money is likely gone unless they access CICC’s compensation fund.

The Meira family’s $3,000 loss

Paulo and Leila Meira, a Brazilian couple living in Ottawa for nine years, hired Perdomo in 2023 to handle their Canadian Experience Class application. They paid $3,000 upfront. After months of unanswered calls, they discovered her license had been revoked. The CTV News Calgary (local news) report says the family now faces deportation.

Tips to avoid overpaying

• Compare fees from multiple licensed consultants
• Use official IRCC resources for forms and guides — many processes don’t require a consultant
• Never pay 100% upfront; negotiate milestone payments

What is the lonely Canadian rule?

This provision can help sponsor a spouse even if you’re not living together — but it didn’t apply to the Meiras.

Definition and origin

The “lonely Canadian rule” is an informal name for a spousal sponsorship provision that allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor a spouse even if they are separated due to circumstances beyond their control. It is outlined in the IRCC Family Sponsorship page (government official).

Eligibility criteria

• You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• You must show that the separation is involuntary (e.g., work, study, family obligations)
• The relationship must be genuine

How it applies to the Meira family

The Meiras were living together in Ottawa, so the lonely Canadian rule was not relevant to their case. However, for other applicants separated from a spouse, it can be a lifeline. Understanding this rule could help families avoid unnecessary consultant fees.

Is 470 a good score for CEC?

The Meira family’s CRS score of 470 is below the current cutoff for Canadian Experience Class draws. In 2026, cutoffs have stayed above 500.

Current CRS cutoff trends for CEC

• In 2025, typical CEC draw cutoffs ranged from 490 to 530 (CIC News (immigration media))
• Early 2026 draws have maintained scores above 500, according to analysis by Amir Ismail (immigration analyst)

Why 470 is likely too low in 2026

A score of 470 would have been competitive in 2022 but is now near the bottom of the pool. The trend points to tighter competition as more candidates gain Canadian experience.

What scores are competitive

• To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in 2026, aim for 510+
• Improve by retaking language tests, gaining more work experience, or obtaining a provincial nomination (600 points)

Which country is looking for immigrants?

Canada remains one of the most open countries for immigration, but it’s not alone.

Canada’s immigration targets

Canada plans to welcome 500,000 immigrants per year by 2026, according to IRCC Levels Plan (government source). This makes it one of the highest per-capita intake countries in the world.

Other top countries for immigrants

• Australia: 190,000–200,000 permanent migrants annually (Australian Department of Home Affairs (government source))
• New Zealand: 60,000–80,000 annual resident visas (Immigration New Zealand (government source))
• Germany: Skilled Immigration Act aims to attract 400,000 workers yearly (Make it in Germany (official portal))

Ease of immigration in 2026

Canada’s Express Entry system is points-based but competitive. According to Astons (immigration advisory firm), Canada ranks among the easiest for skilled workers, though scores are rising.

For the Meira family, the choice is clear: fight deportation through legal channels or return to Brazil after nine years in Canada. For the thousands of other applicants trusting licensed consultants, the lesson is equally stark — verify, ask questions, and never pay the full fee upfront. The system may catch bad actors after the fact, but prevention starts with a five-minute check on the CICC registry.