Canada imposes $1.07m fine for immigration fraud

Canada has imposed a $1.07 million fine for immigration fraud, as part of tougher regulations targeting immigration consultants and other representatives who provide unauthorized immigration services or submit false information on behalf of applicants. The new rules, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), can apply to both licensed and unlicensed representatives, including those operating outside Canada.

The fine for providing unauthorized services can start at CAD5,000, while knowingly providing false information could result in a CAD15,000 penalty. Repeat violations could lead to cumulative fines of up to CAD1.5 million. The Immigration Minister, Lena Metlege Diab, emphasized that the measures aim to protect foreign nationals from immigration fraud and ensure they receive trustworthy and accurate advice.

The government also announced the creation of a registry to publish the names of representatives found guilty of violations, alongside details of their offences and penalties. Applicants are advised to verify the credentials of immigration representatives before paying for their services, as submitting false information could lead to application refusal and a ban from entering Canada for at least five years.