Canada issues warning about immigration marriage fraud

IMMIGRATION, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Monday issued a warning on social media about fraudulent marriages.

It advised people to think carefully before marrying someone and sponsoring them to come to Canada, especially if:

* you’ve just met

* the person wants to get married quickly

* the person has been married or has been in a common-law relationship many times before

* the person hasn’t shared much information about their background or family

The IRCC provides a link to avoid scams and learn the rules for sponsoring a spouse: https://bit.ly/3XQMtOm

The section states: “In some cases, sponsors and foreign applicants enter a “relationship of convenience”. This is a marriage, or a common-law or conjugal relationship, the sole purpose of which is to let the sponsored spouse or partner immigrate to Canada.

“Our officers are trained to recognize genuine immigration applications. They know how to detect false marriages and false common-law or conjugal relationships. They have many ways to spot marriage fraud, including document checks and interviews with both sponsors and applicants.

“Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are in a relationship of convenience for immigration reasons may be charged with a crime.”

It also informs immigrants: “You don’t have to stay in an abusive relationship to keep your status in Canada.

“You have the right to seek help. If you’re married, in a common-law or conjugal relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is abusive, you don’t need to live with them to keep your permanent resident status.”