Applicants are expected to be honest, transparent, thorough, and careful with the information they provide. A recent Saskatchewan court decision highlights just how seriously authorities take the issue of fraud – and what can happen when there’s even a perception of misrepresentation.
Here’s What Happened
A woman applied to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and was initially approved, but her nomination was later withdrawn after officials suspected she used an undeclared and unauthorized immigration consultant. The suspicion was based on an anonymous tip and a Facebook post by an unauthorized agency, which shared a redacted version of her nomination letter and claimed her as a client. Despite denying any involvement with the agency, the court found the process was fair and upheld SINP’s decision, ruling that she had not provided enough evidence to disprove the link.
Key Takeaways
PNPs and IRCC take anonymous tips seriously. An anonymous email or social media post can trigger an investigation into your application.
You’re responsible for everything in your file – even if someone else submitted it or told you to put it in your application.
Misrepresentation doesn’t have to be deliberate to have consequences. Even an honest mistake can lead to a nomination being withdrawn.
The onus is on you to prove your innocence. If authorities raise concerns, you must provide evidence to satisfy them – not the other way around.
Fraud affects more than just one application. It damages public trust in immigration programs and can lead to broader enforcement efforts.
Keen to learn more about what this means for your immigration application (even if you haven’t committed fraud!)? Read the full blog post for all the details.
Wherever your journey takes you in Canada, we’re here to help you navigate it.
All the best,
Rebecca and Stephanie
The Moving2Canada Team!
