Canada immigration guide: The consequences of committing fraud with IRCC

We truly trust that you have a general awareness of the virtues of being honest and transparent. This is also true about applying for Canada immigration where you are expected to give all the requested information honestly and completely. Immigration to Canada is a dream step for many and could be yours too. The immigration authorities in Canada are very strict about immigration candidates not indulging in any act of fraud or misrepresentation. Such acts can lead to rejection of your application for Canada immigration and even more as per the situation at hand. Let’s check out what are the consequences of giving false information to IRCC while applying for a Canada visa.

The serious case of misrepresentation (fraud) in Canada immigration

Serious crimes in the scope of Canada immigration include lying or sending false information/documents to IRCC. Such acts are treated as fraud and called “misrepresentation.”.

What's document fraud?

This can involve either altered or false documents such as:

• visas
• travel documents and passports
• degrees, diplomas, and papers of apprenticeship/trade
• police certificates
• certificates of birth, marriage, separation, final divorce, annulment, or death

If you are caught lying on an application or in an interview with an officer from IRCC, you will have committed an act of fraud. It will be considered a crime. In case you send false information/documents, IRCC will reject your application. In addition, IRCC may also go ahead with one of the following measures:

• issuance of a permanent record of fraud with IRCC
• denial of entry into Canada for a minimum period of 5 years
• imposition of a charge of crime on you
• seizing your status as a permanent resident/citizen of Canada
• deporting you from Canada

Steps taken by IRCC to stop fraud in Canada immigration

IRCC is constantly working with its partners to observe and detect document fraud. IRCC is also ensuring that officers around the world are trained in doing this task. The partners of IRCC include:

• CBSA - the Canada Border Services Agency
• RCMP - the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• offices tasked with the issue of documents of identity and status
• foreign police services

IRCC is constantly at work with the RCMP and the CBSA to phase in biometrics. What this implies is that IRCC will use data such as fingerprints to confirm the identity of an individual. With biometrics involved, it will be much harder for individuals to hide their true identities. Hence, it will reduce identity fraud significantly.

What can you do to ensure you have a smooth Canada immigration?

As far as providing necessary information within the process of Canada immigration goes, it’s in your best interest that you be honest and transparent with IRCC officials. Always steer clear of the temptation to hide any detail about you fearing rejection. Even if you got into Canada doing fraud, the penalties that will come to you afterward will be more serious than a mere rejection of the application at the first stage. Know your eligibility to immigrate to Canada, through Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator. If you are willing to migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the leading immigration and career consultant in the UAE. If you found this blog engaging, you may also like: Which overseas workers can get a work permit in the UAE right now?