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RCIC intake to consulting handoff (Ontario)

RCIC intake to consulting handoff (Ontario)

Intake is not "we talked on the phone." Intake is every named line approved before consulting time burns on a file that cannot be retained properly.

Direct answer

Ontario RCICs typically use a fixed intake checklist — written service agreement/retainer, ID, privacy consent, intake questionnaire, payment — with admin collection and RCIC-level approve/reject. Pathway analysis, document strategy, and portal prep usually start only when those lines are green. Then attach the program-specific checklist as a second phase.

CICC professional-conduct rules generally require a written service agreement before consulting services (beyond a defined initial consultation). Confirm current College requirements and your firm templates — this article is operational hygiene, not a substitute for the Code.

Intake lines (approve before strategy)

LineApprove whenReject when
Signed service agreement / retainerAll pages signed; dates match; scope clearMissing signature, wrong client name, unsigned addendum
Government photo IDValid, legible, name matches agreementExpired, cropped, name mismatch
Privacy / PIPEDA consentMeaningful consent per firm template (may sit inside the service agreement)Blank, wrong version, unclear purposes
Intake questionnaireAll mandatory fields complete"TBD" on nationality, marital status, prior refusals
Payment / depositInvoice paid per policyUnpaid when your policy requires deposit first
Conflict / other-representative check (if used)Notes on fileObvious duplicate client or unresolved prior retainer

Handoff workflow

Phase 1 — Admin (collection):

  1. Send intake template + portal or guest link.
  2. Chase red lines only — dashboard shows missing items.
  3. First-pass review: right file type, readable, right client name.
  4. Escalate to RCIC when all lines have uploads (or when firm policy allows partial escalate).

Phase 2 — RCIC (QC):

  1. Approve or reject per line with a one-sentence reason.
  2. Do not bundle "fix everything" emails.
  3. When all intake lines approved → attach program checklist (Express Entry, sponsorship, study permit, etc.).
  4. Log strategy start date in CRM; Hivi-X holds the document state.

Voice notes on the intake call can sit on the file with optional self-hosted AI summaries — useful when admin handoff happens mid-week and the RCIC reviews Friday. Hivi-X does not auto-chase clients or replace your CRM reminders.

Related: client onboarding retainer package, PIPEDA document collection.

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General information only. Not immigration, privacy, or professional-conduct advice. Hivi-X is document-collection software — not a licensed immigration consultant. Confirm current CICC service-agreement and PIPEDA expectations with counsel. Not affiliated with or endorsed by CICC or IRCC.

Answers are general operational information only — not legal, tax, regulatory, clinical, privacy, immigration, or professional advice. Requirements vary by matter, client, and regulator.

Frequently asked questions

What must be approved before consulting begins?
Firm policy varies. Many Ontario practices wait for an executed written service agreement/retainer, client ID, privacy consent (often in or beside the agreement), a completed intake questionnaire, and payment or deposit per policy. Add conflict / other-representative checks when your process requires them.
Who QC's the handoff — admin or RCIC?
Admin collects; RCIC (or designated reviewer) typically approves each line. Strategy notes should not start on a file with red intake lines.
Can consulting start while documents are still missing?
You can hold a discovery or initial consultation under your written consultation process, but do not treat pathway quotes as final until intake facts and agreements are complete — otherwise you re-work advice when facts change.
Does Hivi-X replace the CRM contact record?
No. Hivi-X holds the document checklist and QC state. Your CRM still holds the lead source and billing contact.
How do co-agents split intake vs consulting?
Assign intake templates to admin staff; the RCIC reviews when intake lines are ready. Co-agent sees the same line status without email forwarding.

Collect complete immigration client files without the chase

Hivi-X helps Ontario RCICs collect passports, police certificates, employer letters, and IRCC forms with reusable checklists, the my-id.ca client portal, self-hosted AI summaries, and exportable PDF packages for your client file archive — alongside your immigration CRM.

RCIC Intake to Consulting Handoff Checklist | hivi-x