Canada has warned immigration applicants against submitting fake or altered documents, saying those found guilty of fraud could face serious consequences, including a travel ban of at least five years.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued the warning on Wednesday, listing passports, travel documents, visas, language test results, employment records, educational certificates, relationship documents, police certificates and court records among documents that could be falsified.
“Providing false or altered documents or information can have serious consequences,” IRCC said in a warning shared on X.
The department also stressed that applicants must provide truthful information during medical examinations.
“Providing false medical documents or misleading a panel physician about existing or previous medical conditions is considered fraud,” IRCC warned.
IRCC said applications could be refused where false information or documents were provided by an applicant, representative or interpreter.
It added that offenders could receive a permanent fraud record with the department, lose their temporary or permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship, be barred from applying for citizenship for five years, or be removed from the country.
Applicants seeking to renew permanent resident status or obtain Canadian citizenship must also accurately declare their physical presence in Canada.
The department further cautioned against relationships of convenience, where marriages, common-law or conjugal relationships are entered into mainly to secure Canadian immigration status.
“Immigration officers may use document checks, interviews and home visits to determine whether a relationship is genuine,” IRCC said.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents involved in marriages of convenience could also face criminal charges, it added.
IRCC also warned about chargeback fraud, which occurs when an applicant or someone acting on their behalf reverses a visa application fee paid by credit card.
“A reversed payment could result in your application being cancelled, delayed or refused,” the department said, noting that offenders could potentially be barred from travelling to Canada for up to 10 years.
The Canadian immigration authority said it works with the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, foreign police agencies and document-issuing authorities to detect and investigate immigration fraud.
It urged applicants to ensure that all information and documents submitted during the immigration process are genuine and accurate.
