Canada imposes $1.07m fine for immigration fraud

Canada has implemented stricter penalties for immigration consultants and other representatives offering unauthorized services or providing false information on behalf of applicants, with fines potentially reaching $1.07 million. These regulations, aimed at safeguarding foreign nationals from immigration fraud and holding accountable those who break the law, also extend to individuals operating outside Canada.

Under the new framework, offenders may face penalties starting at CAD5,000 for offering unauthorized advice, and CAD15,000 for knowingly providing false or misleading information. Repeat violations could result in fines of up to CAD1.5 million. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab emphasized the measures' goal of ensuring trustworthy immigration advice for those wishing to build a future in Canada.

The guidelines affect licensed and unlicensed representatives, including those based in Nigeria, as well as individuals providing paid immigration services. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to publish the names of violators with details of their offences and penalties in an online registry, set to become operational in 2027.

Applicants are advised to verify the credentials of immigration agents before engaging their services, as paying for unauthorized advice could result in application refusal and a ban from entering Canada for at least five years.