Canadian Visa Not Guaranteed: IRCC Key Facts

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a renewed warning to prospective immigrants, particularly from India, about the increasing prevalence of scams involving fraudulent job offers and visa guarantees. The advisory emphasizes that no individual or agency can guarantee a Canadian visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) outside official channels. Any unsolicited communication claiming to offer such guarantees is likely a scam.

This alert follows a recent case in Kerala, where a 47-year-old job seeker was defrauded of ₹3 lakh by an individual posing as a recruitment agent. The victim was promised a job under Canada's International Mobility Program but later discovered the offer was fictitious.

Key Points from the IRCC Advisory:

• No Guarantees: Only authorized immigration officers can issue visas.
• Standardized Fees: Processing fees are consistent globally and based on official exchange rates.
• No Extra Charges: Visa Application Centres (VACs) do not charge separately for biometric appointments.
• Official Payments: All payments for government services must be made to the “Receiver General for Canada.”
• Secure Websites: Applicants should use only official government websites for forms and applications.

Warning Signs of Fraudulent Offers:

• Promises of job placement or visa approval for a fee.
• Requests for payments to personal accounts or via private money transfer services.
• Communication from unofficial email addresses (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo).
• Websites that do not begin with “https://” or lack a padlock symbol.

The IRCC advises applicants to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Canadian mission or through official channels.