immigration fraud

7 ways to avoid immigration fraud

Posted on Posted in News

There are some people who fabricate facts, particularly to attract innocent people for Canadian immigration, namely work permits, skilled workers, and even business visas. They disappear once they get the money. On the contrary, the government of Canada has been working diligently to crack down on immigration fraud. Furthermore, if you are not vigilant, well informed, and take the necessary steps, you may be a victim of immigration fraud. You can take the following steps to avoid this:

  1. Check the Canadian (Federal and provincial) government’s immigration website:

    All immigration opportunities, criteria, and processes are clearly defined. Information is easily accessible. Take some time and navigate through the government website and verify all information.

  2. Verify Online:

    In this digital era, vital information can be found online. Check if the company information you obtain is online; if any job offer is also posted on their website. Similarly, verify if your representative is authorized to process your immigration application. If so, their name should be listed on the ICCRC website. If they are a lawyer or a paralegal, their name should be registered at a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, or notaries belonging to the Chambre des notaries du Québec.

  3. Always use an authorized representative:

    Thousands of immigration applications are processed yearly. You should always make sure you deal only with authorized representatives. They are members in good standing of the ICCRC. It includes immigration lawyers or paralegals belonging to a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, or notaries belonging to the Chambre des notaries du Québec.

  4. Ask for additional documents:

    If your representative presents a very compelling opportunity, be careful unless you are sure. Ask additional questions such as where the job offer is coming from; also the details of the company that wants to hire you. Most employers in Canada need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before they can hire a temporary foreign worker. Once a positive LMIA has been issued by the government, they should provide a copy of the confirmation letter to you and each temporary worker they want to hire and advise you to apply for a work permit.

  5. Consult friends and family who live in Canada:

    Whether they may or may not have enough information on Canadian immigration, as well as your representative, they could validate the information for you. There is no harm double checking with the people you trust.

  6. Too good to be true:

    If it is too good to be true, there’s probably a “catch”. Each immigration category has specific criteria that you need to meet in order to apply for an immigration visa. If someone tells you an easy way to migrate without accessing your qualification, think twice – he/she might be scamming you.

  7. Make a legal agreement:

    If you are dealing with an authorized representative, they will provide you with a legal agreement that describes all details; including immigration options, scope, fee, etc. You have the right to ask for a legal agreement to process your application if an agreement is not drafted.

There are several ways you could report fraud. Below are some of the authorities you could report fraud too. Please note that this is not a complete list.

Canadian Embassy or Consulate

Government of Canada

Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)

Service Canada Fraud Reporting Tool

The Law Society of Upper Canada and other provincial Bar Association

Note: The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is the national regulatory authority designated by the Government of Canada to safeguard individuals who seek and retain the services of Canadian citizenship or immigration consultants

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