Quebec may just be the first province to implement regulations in an effort to stop the unethical tactics offered to people wishing to immigrate to Canada. According to the province, it’s far too easy for newcomers to be mislead into believing their immigration paperwork can be fast-tracked or that lies on their applications will get them further.

On Thursday, February 18th, the provincial government announced that immigration consultants will have to pass a test, register with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, have a spotless track record as well as demonstrate a knowledge of the French language. Only people registered with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, notaries and lawyers will be legally allowed to offer their representation for people wishing to immigrate to Quebec, and fines up up to $50,000 and $100,000 for repeat offenders will be issued.

The public will also be able to see which immigration consultants are recognized by the province, and those whose right to practice has been suspended, all on an accessible public database.

Quebec Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities Yolande James said after the announcement, “We’re sensitive to the fact that there are vulnerable people falling victim to the schemes of some ill-intentioned people. We understand that there are consultants who do their job very well, but for consultants who have poor practices, or others, the message is clear – you must follow Quebec’s guidelines or shut your doors.”

The federal government has applauded the Government of Quebec’s actions and wishes to take similar action itself, but has not mentioned when or how they expect to get that done. In 2004, the Canadian Government began requiring that immigration consultants be registered with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, but there is little enforcement of this requirement and many unregistered companies are still operating in Canada.

The federal government has made similar promises about unregistered immigration consultants, but the fact that it’s not known when the government will begin cracking down on these shady companies and individuals makes it glaringly obvious that candidates for immigration to Canada can easily have their applications compromised by these unethical practices.

Bravo to Quebec! Lets hope other provinces follow suit.

As reported by Joe Friesen of the Globe and Mail, approximately 300 applications for Canadian citizenship directed to a single address in Mississauga, Ontario are subject of an RCMP Investigation. The suspicion is that applicants who live abroad may have retained the services of  unscrupulous Immigration Consultants to file these applications naming a fake address.

In order to qualify for Canadian Citizenship, applicants are generally required to live in Canada for three years of the four years proceeding the application. As part of the application process, applicants are required to enter their Canadian address on the Canadian citizenship application form and have a Canadian address as part of proof of their Canadian residency.

The address under investigation is located at Palestine House in Mississauga, a language and settlement service centre for Arab and Palestinian immigrants. But apparently no one really lives at this location.

This case illustrates a chronic problem in the immigration and citizenship industry: Unscrupulous immigration consultants filing fraudulent applications for financial gain. In this case, it is suspected that overseas applicants who never had a chance for Canadian citizenship may have hired immigration consultants to get them Canadian citizenship in the hopes of making higher wages abroad. Holding Canadian passports gives such workers a leg-up in the pay scale in places like Dubai.

The RCMP has no idea how many of these applicants actually obtained Canadian citizenship. But Citizenship Judges have been notified about the problem.

It is clear that 300 people do not live at the Palestinian House. Therefore 300 potential citizenship applicants may be roaming the world with Canadian passports who have no business calling themselves citizens. It is time that the Federal Government invest more resources in catching these wayward immigration consultants who are responsible for perpetrating such fraud.

One way to stop it is for the public themselves to be better educated on who can or cannot call themselves immigration consultants or immigration lawyers. Firstly, immigration consultants now have to be licensed by the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC). There is a list of licensed members. And even before you inquire about a consultants CSIC membership, make sure they are themselves Canadian citizens or Canadian Permanent Residents. If not, they have no standing to file an application on behalf of anyone for a fee.

Of course, Canadian lawyers can represent applicants as well. Again make sure such lawyers are licensed by their provincial governing body: in Ontario it’s the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC).

As they say “buyer beware” is the best defence against fraud.

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So if you need immigration lawyers or attorneys to help, call us at 1 866 929 0991 or email us at info@visaplace.com

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Here is what one person said about his experience:

Dear Niren and Associates,

I would like to thank you all for you help in answering my many questions about Canadian immigration. I would personally like to thank Mr. Niren for taking time out of his schedule to talk with me and if at all possible would like this email sent to him so I can express my gratitude. I really do thank you for your time Mr. Niren and hope that we can work together in the future on my case.. Thank you again for your time and your assistance.

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Today, The Toronto Star reported on a work permit scam that is apparently on the rise in Canada – Live in Caregiver Recruitment pursuant to the Canadian Live in Caregiver work permit category. It sounds legitimate enough, but there are numerous legal issues involved.

The Live in Caregiver program allows foreign workers to come to Canada on work permits to work as caregivers for children or for the elderly for a two year period, after which they may be eligible to make an application for Canadian Permanent Residence. Live in Caregivers are required to “live in” the residences of their Canadian employer, full time during the two year period. Continue Reading »

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced a campaign yesterday warning Canadian immigrants about the penalties for immigration fraud.

Intending immigrants applying for Canadian permanent residence and other visas under false pretenses can be subject to a removal order and possible criminal charges.

Continue Reading »