You have decided to immigrate to Canada, you have the relevant funds and are about to kickstart the immigration process and are searching for a representative to help in the same.
Are you confused about how to find a good agent?
Are you afraid that your time and money will be wasted by fraud?
If yes, then read further to know about how to find one and save yourself from the fraudsters present in the market.
Immigrating to a new country is a huge step in anyone’s life, and it requires proper documentation and paperwork which is a very tedious process. Not everyone can go through all the information and the process by themselves, so most people hire a representative or agent.
Now, you must check the background and previous works of your agent since there are many fraudsters out there to fool you. There are many cases where the agent flees with the hard-earned money of innocent people. Therefore, before selecting an agent first learn how to find an authorized agent and what are the things you need to be cautious about.
Who is a Representative and how to select one?
Immigration and citizenship representative are authorized people/agencies who explain and give advice for immigration and citizenship options. They help you select the best immigration program for you and fill out and submit your application as well as assist you in other paperwork.
A representative communicates with the Canadian government on your behalf and will represent you in an immigration or citizenship application or hearing.
A representative could be:
● Consultants for immigration and/or citizenship
● Lawyers
● Friends and family members
● Other third parties
There are two types of representatives: Paid (must be authorized) and Unpaid.
Paid Representatives
Paid representatives charge you a fee for their services, but for that, they must be authorized. They are:
● Lawyers and paralegals who are members of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
● Immigration or Citizenship consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.
● Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaries du Quebec.
If you use an unauthorized representative your application may get rejected. If you pay or compensate in any way for the services of a representative, that is considered paid and therefore must be authorized.
Unpaid Representative or Third Party
They could be family members, friends, or any other third parties who do not charge a fee for the same services and/or help.
To find a representative ask people you know or who have an experience of such kind. Take advice from as many people as you can and then decide.
If you are hiring a paid representative-
▪ Make sure they are authorized, i.e. they have a license to practice.
▪ Ask about their training and experience
▪ Check the references provided by them
▪ Find out how long they have been in this business
▪ Discuss and be clear about the services they will provide and fees
▪ Make sure you get a written contract stating what services you will be taking, and the fees as discussed. Read it carefully before signing.
How to Report a Fraud
To report an immigration fraud:
● Reporting a person who has given false information on any immigration form
● A marriage of convenience (to get citizenship)
● Suspicious activity at the border
● Wanted person on an immigration warrant.
contact the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Border Watch Toll-free Line- 1-888-502-9060
In order to report a person who pretended to live in Canada to become a citizen or hid information about themselves, call the Call Centre (In Canada) or your nearest Canadian visa office (Outside Canada). You can also email to citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca to report a fraud.
If you or someone you know has been a target of a telephone, internet or another type of scam, and have given personal or financial information you must report it to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, toll-free: 1-888-495-8501 (In Canada) or to the local police (Outside Canada).
How to find an authorized agent?
First of all, for any official work, it is always a good idea to check the government website for that purpose. This will not only provide you genuine information about the process and fees but also saves you from immigration fraud. Canada.ca is the official website of the Canada Government. Here you can find every information regarding the services, protocols, rules, and applications.
● Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
● Go to the ‘Menu’
● Click on ‘Immigration and Citizenship’
● Go to ‘My application’
● Select ‘Use a Representative’
● Click on ‘Check if your representative is authorized’
● You will be redirected here. On this page click on ‘Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council’
● After that, you will be directed to a different website where you have to click on ‘Public register’
● The public register has a list of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIS) and Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs).
● On this page, you can search for authorized agents by their names, RCIS number, company name, country, city/province, or postal code.
Tips to Prevent yourself from Fraud
▪ Never believe any agents who say that your application will be accepted in no time and they have contacts. Using a representative is not going to speed up the process or guarantee approval.
▪ Remember that giving false information in the application is illegal- your application might get rejected or you may be deported after arriving in Canada- so beware of the people who encourage you to do so.
▪ Many fraudsters in the business sell the information of their clients to others. They will ask you for a much higher amount of money and then give the job to some other representative for a lesser amount.
▪ Never leave your original documents or photos with the representative.
▪ Never sign any blank paper/application forms.
▪ Make sure you understand each line of a form or document you are about to sign. If you are facing a problem, then ask someone to translate/explain it to you.
▪ Keep copies of the documents with you that your representative makes.
▪ While making any transaction, make sure to take a signed receipt. Wherever possible, pay by cheque. Take the contact information and id proof of the bearer in case the payment has to be done to some other person instead of the representative.
▪ Go for a proper background check of the representative, talk to the references provided by him/her, take their business card, check their websites, and company name. Cross-check every information given by the representative instead of taking their word for it.
▪ Make sure your representative updates you on your application regularly.
▪ Remember:
– You will never be asked to deposit money into a personal bank account by the Canadian immigration department.
– They will never ask you to transfer money via private money transfer company
– The processing fees are in Canadian dollars which is the same around the world.
– So if a representative is asking you to do any of the above, you may report them.
▪ To work or get settled in Canada you must have a work permit or permanent residency. If a representative says that for now, you go to Canada on visitor’s visa and later it will be converted to PR, do not believe them.
