Avoid being the Victim of Immigration Fraud and Scams
The immigration process is daunting and confusing at the best of times. Trying to find that resource to help you do it properly can also seem a little scary as there are so many scam artists out there all too eager to help you part with your hard earned money that is supposed to help you achieve your immigration dreams.
DONT BE THE VICTIM OF A SCAM. If it seems to good to be true, it usually is!!
Top immigration consultants for Canada are known to provide absolute value for money services to their clients. However, it does not eliminate the chances of a few fraudulent consultants to mislead their clients. Such instances can lead to costly setbacks like loss of visa application opportunities, loss of money spent in the application process, loss of visa application documents, etc.
Look up your Agent on CICC
The first thing you should ask for or look for when researching your immigration agent, is to request their CICC registration number. You may also find this number on their website or documentation they have sent to you, as it is required by law in Canada to always display this number on your media channels and advertising methods. It looks like this "R" signals registered and this is normaly followed with a series of numbers from 4 numerals up to 6 numerals currently, which means a registration number looks like this: "R1234" or "R12345" or "R123456"
Once you have these numbers, navigate to the CICC websites "Public Register" Section and lookup the details of the agent you are researching. Its as easy as that. If they are not registered there, or they dont have an R in front of their registration numbers, then steer well clear.
Beware Immigration Frauds and Scams
You may have seen advertisements that promise work permits and guarantee high-paying jobs in Canada. Some offer scholarships to study at Canadian universities or colleges. Potential newcomers to Canada should be aware that many offers like these are fraudulent. In fact, using the services of people who make such promises may result in your application to Canada being rejected.
Canada’s immigration system is based on fairness. Every application receives equal consideration. No one has special connections, and no one can promise your application will be given special treatment or guarantee that it will be approved.
What do you need to know?
You are not obliged to hire a representative, including a consultant, lawyer, Quebec notary or paralegal regulated by a law society, to apply for a visa or for Canadian citizenship, but if you do, choose carefully.
Representatives do not have special connections with Canadian government officials and cannot guarantee you a visa. Nobody can guarantee you a visa.
Only Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officers can decide whether or not to issue a visa. Don’t be tempted into using false documents. It is a serious crime to misrepresent yourself by making false statements or submitting false documents when dealing with IRCC. If you do this, your application will be refused. You will also face serious consequences. Depending on the situation, these may include:
no entry into Canada for at least five years;
a permanent record of fraud in IRCC’s database;
revocation of your permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship;
being charged with a crime; or
removal from Canada.
Do not enter into a marriage that is not genuine in order to obtain permanent residence in Canada. Beware of Internet scams and false websites. The official IRCC website is www.cic.gc.ca an our official immigration website is www.iclimmigration.com
You can find free information for any type of visa on IRCC’s website.
Processing fees are the same at all Canadian visa offices around the world. Fees in local currency are based on official exchange rates and correspond with the standard fee charged in Canadian dollars. Immigration agents fees vary between cities, provinces an countries, do you research when getting prices from agents before you commit to their retainer agreements.
Canadian visa offices will never ask you to deposit money into an individual’s personal bank account or to transfer money through a specific private money transfer company. They will all have secure online payment systems and gateways. Always ask where your money is going?, as all agents have to deposit retainer fees into a trust account.
If you have questions, contact our nearest office to your country and we will assist with any questions you may have.
How to Choose a Representative, Consultant or Lawyer?
If you do decide to hire a representative, choose carefully:
Ask someone you trust to recommend someone;
Talk to several representatives before you decide which one to hire; check references and find out how long they have been in business;
Make sure you understand exactly what services they will provide, and how much they will charge you. Get this information in writing.
Make sure they are authorized by the Government of Canada.
The only people authorized by the Government of Canada to charge a fee to represent or advise you on immigration, refugee and citizenship matters are:
lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society;
notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec; and
citizenship or immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
The Government of Canada will not deal with unauthorized representatives who charge a fee for their services.
Reporting Immigration Fraud
As the Canadian regulator of immigration consultants, the CICC is tasked to investigate complaints and other matters where a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC):
May have, or has broken a law that is relevant to the ethical practice of his/her profession,
May have failed to comply fully with the Code of Professional Ethics or an CICC Regulation
The results of an investigation are reviewed by the CICC Complaints Committee, which decides whether a matter is serious enough to be referred to the Discipline Committee for a hearing.
To file a complaint with the CICC against a member or non member follow this link to their FILE A COMPLAINT section.
Share known cases of abuse and Fraud with others
You also have the option of sharing your known fraud and scam cases that you have experienced or heard about with others on the SA2CANADA Scam Alerts forum. keep others informed so they too don't fall victim to ghost consultants and internet scams that are only after your hard earned money.
Immigrating to Canada is by no means easy. ICL Immigration consultants help get you here faster. Contact us on info@iclimmigration.com or call us on any of our international numbers in the following countries:
Canada +1 (905) 769-0421
South Africa +27 (21) 344-1341
South Korea +27 (82) 2-2023-6565
www.iclimmigration.com is a registered Canadian Corporation, also registered with Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council and authorised to provide immigration services for Canada.
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