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The process of getting a Canadian visa can be confusing and could take as long as one year. For this reason, there are numerous fraudulent companies that prey on the desperation of people who want to move to Canada. These Canadian visa scam sites can claim to get you to Canada in an unbelievably fast time, and some even guarantee that you will have your visa approved. Keep reading to discover what the major red flags are and how to find a credible immigration consultant.
Website
Indications that a company is a scam will usually appear as soon as you open their website. The layout, language used and images displayed are indicators of what's to come. If the site has no privacy policy or terms and conditions listed, it is a major problem and goes against the very core of a reputable company. In addition, even if their website is pleasing to the eye, it's important that you take a closer look to find out if it actually contains useful and important information. This important information includes a clear description of what it is they do, where they are based and who the founders or owners are. A listed contact number and FAQ’s section also add to credibility. The most important aspects of a Canadian immigration company's website are if they name their consultants and if they are accredited RCIC’s.
Why Authorized Representatives Are so Important
A company that has authorized representatives means that your visa application process is in good hands. Immigrant consultants are regulated by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council(ICCRC) which describes itself as “the national regulatory body that promotes and protects the public interest by overseeing regulated immigration citizenship consultants and international student advisors”. Essentially what this means is that the company has representatives who are obligated to abide by a certain code of conduct, which deems fraudulent activity as absolutely unacceptable. That being said, if you are dealing with an immigration company who is handling your visa application and they make no mention of authorized representatives who are accredited RCIC’s, you should definitely run for the hills. If they do claim that their representatives are authorized, you can verify this on the ICCRC website here.
Social Media
The Social Media platforms of an immigration company can say a lot about their credibility. If they are not on social media at all, that could raise some concerns. If they have their social media links on their website, you could tentatively say this is a good sign. However, you need to take a look at what's actually happening on these pages. If it's extremely outdated and not active, proceed with caution. On the other hand, some Facebook pages could have thousands of followers but have little interaction on their page, which most likely hints to the possibility that these followers were bought. You also need to take a look at the reviews on these pages. If people have nothing good to say about the company, for instance, that it was a waste of money or they feel like they don't deliver on their promises, this most likely means the company is not legitimate or credible. How timely their response is to comments and the manner in which the company responds to these comments is also something you need to take note of.
It’s All About the Money
One of the biggest warning signs of all is how a company communicates with you regarding payments. If you are being heckled over the phone to provide your credit card details, then you should cut ties immediately. Other practices such as the amount displayed on the website versus the cost you actually pay are completely different, which is another major red flag. A credible immigration company would never pressure you for payments or request your secure bank information.
Luckily, credible and reputable Canadian immigration consultants exist. We at Candian Visa and MDC provide you with the assistance of experienced, professional, and accredited RCIC Immigration Consultants. See our team of consultants below and sign up today so we can help you get to Canada the right way!
Team
David Allon
RCIC working with Canadianvisa.org RCIC Consultant Identification #R513335
Ying Liu
RCIC working with Canadianvisa.org RCIC Consultant Identification #R521924
Jimmy Park
RCIC working with Canadianvisa.org RCIC Consultant Identification #R510391
