Earlier this month, CTV News reported that the RCMP and Canadian border control have recently discovered that thousands of so-called Canadian “citizens” are living in Canada fraudulently. Their revelations come in the wake of a Montreal investigation.

The Scheme

A number of “consultants” are providing foreign nationals with everything they need to become citizens of Canada illegally. They offer:

• Fake addresses
• Fake receipts
• A chance to run fraudulent businesses

A building which was documented as the homes of hundreds of people led to the discovery of one “consultant.” Another tip revealed a door behind which was ‘a brick wall’.  One immigration lawyer was quoted as saying that while a few people are naive, most are fully aware that they are pursuing immigration illegally.

All of these services come at a cost: more than $20,000 per client. Meanwhile, thousands of “permanent residents” currently reside outside of Canada while their agents help them defraud the system. Authorities suspect there are more than 10,000 cases of immigration fraud being perpetrated at present by people from “100 different countries”, many of which are now being dealt with swiftly.

The Consequences

As a result of their findings, immigration authorities have revoked citizenship from hundreds of people. Many more have been denied applications for citizenship, or they gave up their applications for permanent residency in light of the recent crackdown.

In answer to the problem of immigration fraud, Canadian Immigration authorities will also be licensing legitimate immigration consultants in an effort to further limit fraud.

The government stresses that most of Canada’s immigrants achieved their status without committing fraud and are decent people who entered the country legally.

The Regular Route

To enter Canada as a permanent resident from another country, applicants are expected to:

• Speak English or French adequately
• Be sponsored by an employer or close family member
• Have sufficient money to be economically independent
• Not possess a criminal record
• Possess skills in a field which lacks skilled workers

Enlisting the help of legitimate immigration lawyers like Niren and Associates can make a significant difference towards achieving a successful Canadian permanent residence application.

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