Don’t be the victim of a scam

If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

IMMIGRATION FRAUD
Protect Yourself! Beware of immigration fraud What you need to know • Processing fees are the same at all Canadian visa • notaries who are members in good standing of the
offices around the world. Fees in local currency are Chambre des notaires du Québec; and
and scams • You are not obliged to hire an immigration
based on official exchange rates and correspond
representative, including a consultant, lawyer, • immigration consultants who are members in good
You may have seen advertisements that promise Quebec notary or paralegal regulated by a law with the standard fee charged in Canadian dollars. standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada
work permits and guarantee high-paying jobs society, to apply for a visa or for Canadian • Canadian visa offices will never ask you to deposit Regulatory Council.
in Canada. Some offer scholarships to study citizenship, but if you do, choose carefully. money into an individual’s personal bank account The Government of Canada will not deal with
• Immigration representatives do not have special or to transfer money through a specific private unauthorized immigration representatives who charge
at Canadian universities or colleges. Potential money transfer company.
connections with Canadian government officials a fee for their services.
newcomers to Canada should be aware that and cannot guarantee you a visa. Nobody can • If you have questions, contact CIC or the visa office To find out whether the person you are thinking
many offers like these are fraudulent. In fact, guarantee you a visa. responsible for your area. of hiring to represent you is authorized by the
using the services of people who make such • Only Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Government of Canada, ask if they are members of
officers can decide whether or not to issue a visa. Choosing an immigration one of the organizations listed above. You can then
promises may result in your application to
Don’t be tempted into using false documents. representative, a consultant check with the organization to make sure the person
Canada being rejected. It is a serious crime to misrepresent yourself is a member in good standing. Contact information
by making false statements or submitting false
or a lawyer for all of these organizations can be found on the
Canada’s immigration system is based on fairness. documents when dealing with CIC. If you do this, If you do decide to hire an immigration representative, CIC website at immigration.gc.ca/antifraud.
your application will be refused. You will also face choose carefully:
Every application receives equal consideration. Once you have chosen an immigration
serious consequences. Depending on the situation, • Ask someone you trust to recommend someone; representative, make sure the representative
No one has special connections, and no one can
these may include: • Talk to several representatives before you decide updates you on your application on a regular basis.
promise your application will be given special
which one to hire; check references and find out
immigration.gc.ca/antifraud treatment or guarantee that it will be approved.
no entry into Canada for at least two years;
how long they have been in business;
Remember—you must accept responsibility for
all the information in your application whether you
a permanent record of fraud in CIC’s
database; • Make sure you understand exactly what services complete it or it is completed by your representative.
they will provide, and how much they will charge It is against the law to give false or misleading
revocation of your permanent resident status information to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
or Canadian citizenship; you. Get this information in writing.
• Make sure they are authorized by the Government
being charged with a crime; or
of Canada.
How to report
removal from Canada.
The only people authorized by the Government of
immigration fraud
• Do not enter into a marriage that is not genuine You can report immigration fraud by calling the
Canada to charge a fee to represent or advise you on
in order to obtain permanent residence in Canada. Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060.
immigration and refugee matters are:
Beware of Internet scams and false websites. All information is treated as confidential.
The official CIC website is www.cic.gc.ca. • lawyers and paralegals who are members in good
To read more, including information on who
standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law
• You will find free information for any type of visa can legally represent you if you choose to hire an
society;
on CIC’s website. immigration representative, please visit the CIC
website at www.cic.gc.ca.

ISBN 978-1-100-20369-0 | C&I4-12/2012E-PDF