Canada has warned prospective immigrants that dishonesty in an immigration application could result in lengthy restrictions on entering or obtaining status in the country.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said applicants remain responsible for ensuring that every detail and document submitted in their applications is truthful and authentic as reported by Vanguard.
The warning, published by the department on Wednesday, covers several forms of misrepresentation, ranging from forged documents to deliberately providing inaccurate personal information.
Medical and residency information must be truthful
IRCC said applicants can face serious consequences if they provide false medical documents or deliberately conceal relevant health information from a panel physician.
It also requires applicants seeking permanent resident status renewal or Canadian citizenship to accurately declare how much time they have physically spent in Canada.
False information submitted by an applicant, representative or interpreter could lead to an application being rejected.
IRCC said additional penalties may include a permanent fraud record, loss of temporary or permanent resident status, or loss of Canadian citizenship.
Individuals found to have committed immigration fraud may also be prevented from applying for citizenship for five years or removed from Canada.
Marriage fraud also under scrutiny
The Canadian immigration authorities warned against entering into relationships primarily to secure immigration status.
Such arrangements may involve marriages, common-law partnerships or conjugal relationships that are not genuine.
IRCC said immigration officials can investigate the authenticity of relationships through document reviews, interviews and visits to applicants’ homes.
“Immigration officers may use document checks, interviews and home visits to determine whether a relationship is genuine,” IRCC said.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who knowingly participate in marriage fraud could face criminal charges.
Reversing visa payments could have consequences
IRCC also warned applicants against chargeback fraud, which involves reversing an immigration application payment made by credit card.
According to the department, a reversed payment could cause an application to be cancelled, delayed or refused.
Those involved could also face a restriction on travelling to Canada lasting up to 10 years.
Agencies collaborate to uncover immigration fraud
IRCC said it works with the Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, foreign law enforcement agencies and document-issuing authorities to identify fraudulent applications.
The department said it verifies submitted documents with the organisations that issued them and applies programme-integrity measures to prevent abuse of Canada’s immigration system.
It also investigates cases where applicants or others attempt to obtain immigration benefits through misrepresentation.
IRCC therefore urged applicants to check their applications carefully and submit only genuine documents and accurate information.
