Fraud awareness

Immigration fraud is when someone intentionally misrepresents or falsifies information. It is a crime that can be committed by applicants, employers, or immigration representatives. It can include:

• Lying, embellishing, exaggerating, or leaving out information 
• Submitting fake job offers or other fake documents
• Giving false information

These and other fraudulent actions undermine the integrity of the immigration system. They can lead to severe consequences for anyone who commits them.

BC PNP applicants, employers, and immigration representatives must act in accordance with the law at all times. 

The information given to the BC PNP must be truthful, complete, and correct. You are responsible for the information in your application, even if a representative helps you.

You do not need to hire an immigration representative to apply to the BC PNP. You must make sure that your representative is licensed and authorized, even if they are outside of Canada. See the Using a representative section for more information.

Anyone connected to a BC PNP application who lies, embellishes, exaggerates, or intentionally leaves out information is participating in misrepresentation and committing fraud. 

Examples of misrepresentation include, among others:

• Applicants lying about their work history or credentials
• Employers taking part in fake job offer schemes
• Representatives providing fake or altered documents

If the BC PNP finds that misrepresentation has happened as part of an application or nomination, the application or nomination will be refused or cancelled. Under provincial legislation, the BC PNP may refuse to accept applications for a period of up to 2 years from an applicant and/or an employer who has participated in misrepresentation or fraud.

To learn about the provincial legislation that governs the BC PNP, see the documents below:

• Provincial Immigration Programs Act 
• Provincial Immigration Programs Regulation (PDF, <1MB).

Hiring an immigration representative is not required to apply to the BC PNP. All the information you need to apply is available for free, and you can complete the process yourself. Using a representative does not give your application special attention and does not guarantee that it will be approved.

If you choose to use a representative, make sure that they are licensed and authorized, even if they are outside of Canada. This means that your immigration representative must be one of the following:

• Licensed, and in good standing with, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
• A member of, and in good standing with, a Canadian law society
• A member of, and in good standing with, La Chambre des notaires du Québec

If your representative does not fall under one of the categories above, you may be at risk. Working with an unlicensed or unauthorized representative can have serious consequences, which includes:

• losing your money
• having your identity stolen
• having your immigration application refused or cancelled
• being threatened with violence or extortion
• being barred from Canada

If you choose to use a representative - whether paid or unpaid - you must disclose this in your BC PNP application. If you do not, it may lead to your application being refused, or your nomination being cancelled.

Use of representative forms

If you want to use or change a representative, you must submit the Use of a representative form – applicant. 

B.C. employers using a representative in support of their employee's application must complete the Use of a representative form - employer, even if they are using the same representative.

Declaration and consent

By completing the use of a representative form(s), you and your employer (where applicable) have authorized the individual named on the form to represent you - and act on your behalf - with the BC PNP. This may include:

• Representation throughout the registration, application and assessment processes
• Communication with program staff
• The disclosure of personal or confidential information by the program to your representative 

Please note: the declaration in the online registration or application is your legal signature. You are legally responsible for the accuracy of your registration or application. If your representative submits your registration or application for you, you should review the information. 

The BC PNP Online User Portal uses your personal email as the unique personal identifier for your profile. The email and contact information provided in your profile will be used by BC PNP staff for communicating final decisions. If you do not keep your personal contact information updated, you might not get important notices from the BC PNP. Not taking action on these notices may result in the refusal or cancellation of your application or nomination.

The BC PNP may contact you or your employer to ask for more evidence or information to verify details of your registration or application. This information will determine if you meet - or continue to meet - the program's requirements.

Be aware of dishonest representatives

In British Columbia, it is illegal for anyone to ask you for money in exchange for a job. No one can guarantee you a job, a provincial nomination, or a way to immigrate to Canada.

Some representatives, whether licensed or unlicensed, are dishonest. Unlicensed consultants are sometimes called "ghost consultants." Ghost consultants may ask you to keep your relationship with them secret from the BC PNP or the Canadian government. 

A dishonest representative may provide you with fake documents, information, or jobs in exchange for money. These actions may result in:

• Your application not getting submitted
• Refusal of your application
• Cancellation of your nomination

To file a complaint against a representative, see the Filing a complaint section.

If your complaint is directly related to a BC PNP application, please also send this information to the BC PNP by emailing PNP.fraud.tips@gov.bc.ca.

Reporting non-BC PNP-related fraud

Governments and regulatory bodies in Canada have implemented measures to combat fraud, including investigating and prosecuting those who violate immigration laws. For example, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) regulates and disciplines authorized consultants, while the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) investigate and prosecute fraud. 

If you have information about immigration fraud in Canada that is not related to the BC PNP, please report this information to the CBSA.

Examples of immigration fraud in Canada include:

• People who have overstayed their status in Canada
• People who are working or studying in Canada without authorization
• People who are wanted on an immigration warrant
• People who have entered Canada based on misrepresentation
• People who have made a false declaration or used a fake document

Reporting BC PNP-related fraud

If you have information about immigration fraud related to a BC PNP application, please report this information by emailing PNP.fraud.tips@gov.bc.ca. Provide as many identifying details about the person or the business as you can, including: 

• name
• address
• contact information
• birth date
• case reference number

Examples of fraud related to the BC PNP include:

• fake job offers created by immigration representatives, employers, or applicants
• fake or fraudulent documents submitted with a BC PNP application
• applicants who lie about their work experience, credentials, or investment and financial holdings

The BC PNP keeps the identity and personal information of anyone who reports suspected fraud confidential. However, it is possible that your identity may become known to the person(s) you are reporting on. If the information you reported is relevant to an administrative, civil, or criminal law proceeding, the BC PNP may be required by law to disclose the following information:

• the identity of the person reporting suspected fraud
• the contact information of the person reporting suspected fraud
• any information the person provides to the ministry

Please note: if the potential disclosure of identifying information would put you at risk, do not provide it.

The BC PNP may also share fraud tips with other agencies as part of a legal investigation or enforcement action. The information shared may include the sender's name and contact information. If you do not want your name and contact information to be shared, please report anonymously.

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the BC PNP protects personal and confidential information. We cannot confirm or deny whether the person or the business you have reported on is in our system. We also cannot share information about possible investigations, including the progress or outcome. 

Reporting email, telephone, and internet fraud

Scammers are people who trick or lie to someone so they can steal something valuable, like personal information or money. Email, telephone, and internet scammers can be very convincing. They will use all kinds of tactics to try and defraud you. Often, scammers will send emails that appear legitimate and official, even using government logos. They will also make phone calls that seem like they are coming from government agencies.
  
Be careful if someone asks you for money or your banking information. If you are unsure whether an email, a telephone call, or a website is a scam, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre can help you make that determination.  
  
Please note: Canadian federal and provincial governments do not have special agreements with private companies to get jobs or visas on your behalf. Only the Canadian federal government can approve and issue documents that confirm immigration status in Canada.
  
If you have information about email, telephone, and internet please report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. This includes reporting suspected or confirmed financial losses due to fraud.

Examples of email, telephone, and internet fraud include:

• emails asking you to confirm receipt by “responding immediately”. By responding, they will send you a second email promising more information and lots of benefits
• emails telling you that you were selected or chosen through an “electronic ballot system” for resettlement in Canada
• emails, phone calls, or websites that ask you to send money, card numbers, personal information, or scans of your photos and passports
• emails, phone calls, or websites giving you a “guaranteed” visa or immigration nomination

For more information on fraud and scams, visit the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada news page, and the CBSA's Protect yourself against fraud page. 

Reporting Canadian citizenship fraud

If you have information about Canadian citizenship fraud, please report this information to IRCC by emailing IRCC.CitizenshipFraudTips-Fraudedecitoyennete.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.

Examples of Canadian citizenship fraud include:

• people who pretended to live in Canada to become a citizen
• people who hid information about their Canadian citizenship case

Reporting Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) fraud

If you have information about LMIA fraud, you can contact the National Investigative Services, Integrity Services Branch of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) through Service Canada:

• By phone: 1-866-602-9448
• In-person: Find a Service Canada Office 
• By mail:

Integrity Services Branch

Service Canada

165 Hotel-de-Ville, 6th floor

Gatineau, Quebec

Canada K1A 0J2

Reporting abuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

You can also report LMIA fraud tied to the abuse of the TFWP, or temporary foreign workers who are abusing the TFWP:

• online form
• Phone: 1-866-602-9448
• In person: Find a Service Canada Office 
• By mail:

Temporary Foreign Worker Program Branch

Service Canada

140 Promenade du Portage

5th floor, Box 520

Gatineau, Quebec

Canada K1A 0J2