Are you a foreigner wishing to live and work in Canada? Be careful when looking for a job! Generally, people believe that getting a job in Canada and obtaining a work permit is easy, fast and safe, but this is not the maxim; in fact, there is a confirmed risk of falling into scams if this step is taken lightly, so no candidate to travel should be guided only by the opinion of other people who claim to have been successful in their process.

The problem when looking for a job in Canada lies in the desire to find a job at all costs, so it is easy to fall into the dreaded misinformation and false promises that abound on the Internet.

To avoid this painful situation, it is imperative to understand the real process involved in getting a job in Canada, and thus protect yourself with knowledge. In this blog, I will share a step-by-step guide on how to search for a job safely and recognize when a company is fake and when it is verified. Let's get started!

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Common scams and deceptions when looking for a job in Canada

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Many scams take place every day due to the naivety of those who desperately seek opportunities without even stopping to read the official sources of information in Canada. Unfortunately, there are accounts with great reach in social networks that promise "Canadian citizenship at a click away", or entice the most unwary with a fantastic: "Canada is looking for foreigners with no age limit, no English, and pay for their trip". Of course, these claims are completely false and only seek to attract victims.

To avoid falling for these misleading offers, you need to understand the following:

1. The actual hiring process in Canada requires:

• Searching for a job and obtaining an interview

• Genuine job postings are found on reputable websites such as Indeed, Monster, Job Bank or LinkedIn.
• Interviews are not by WhatsApp or Facebook. They are professional video calls (Google Meets, Zoom) with the HR team or your future direct boss. They can be several rounds.

• Caution when processing a LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment)

• Once you get a job offer, the next step is to apply for the LMIA. At this stage, be alert, so-called employers ask you to pay for the LMIA, which is illegal and constitutes a scam. If you are asked for money, this is a red flag. The Canadian government prohibits employers from charging applicants for an LMIA.

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2. Work visa application:

• As the applicant, it is you who must pay the application fees for the work visa.
• The Canadian visa (the physical document) is only issued by the immigration officer, upon arrival at the Canadian airport, once your work permit has been approved. No person or company outside of Canada can give you this document in advance. If you receive this type of information as part of the process, this is another red flag.

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3. Biometrics

• After paying the application fees, the government will ask for your biometrics, i.e. your fingerprints and a photograph of your face. This step must be done at a Canadian government visa office in your home country - without biometrics, you cannot get a Canadian visa!

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4. Medical examinations

• In many cases, you will need to undergo medical examinations with a Canadian-recognized physician in your home country.

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5. Passport mailing request

• If your visa is approved, you will receive a request to send your passport. If your country requires a stamped visa, you will be asked to send it to fulfill this step.
• You will then receive an initial approval letter for your permit, and along with this, your passport and job offer, you will be able to travel to Canada and obtain your work permit at the airport.

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Specific scams and how to recognize them

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In Canada, there have been many scams by supposed firms that usurp the name of other serious and recognized companies, and thus manage to reach the job-seeking community. Knowing what they are and learning how to verify them is the most important thing to do against scammers. Here are some examples of fake companies and offers:

• Toronto Well Construction, Rintex and ARI Quebec are examples of fraudulent companies that have been reported for work visa scams. ARI Quebec, in particular, has used information from our company, Immiland Canada, without authorization.
• Fake offers in the name of "Government of Canada" or advertised as "Visa Approved". You need to know that the government of Canada never hires directly for jobs and no job offer comes with a visa already approved. This is a scam!

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How to recognize the veracity of an offer or company?

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This step is mandatory when you have a job offer at the door. If you already know the name of the company or employer, do not hesitate to research all available information about your potential employers. To do this, search the web:

1. Check the "About us"/"À propos" section on the page of the company that contacted you:

• If the section of a website does not show a real team (only generic photos or no photos at all) or does not clearly identify the owners, be suspicious of the company's veracity.

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2. Verify the information with the regulatory entity (Law Society or CICC):

• If the firm claims to have Canadian immigration lawyers, check its name in the Law Society directory of the province where it claims to practice (e.g., Law Society of Ontario). A genuine lawyer will only work for his or her own registered firm.
• If you claim to have regulated consultants, look them up in the CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants) directory. A regulated consultant will only be associated with a specific firm.

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3. Verify the use of a corporate domain for email and website:

• Enter scam alert! if the email ends in @gmail.com, @hotmail.com or @yahoo.com! Be aware that legitimate Canadian companies use emails with their corporate domain (e.g. info@immilandcanada.com).

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4. Be aware if you are asked for money in advance:

• Never pay for a job offer or any application service other than official visa fees. If an "employer" charges you a single penny, it is a scam, no matter how small the amount may seem.

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5. Verify the company name with Canada Corporation:

• You can search for the company name on Canada 's Business Registries website to confirm if the company exists. However, be aware that some registered companies may be scams.

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Entities to report a scam

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If you have been the victim of a scam by a supposedly fake consultant, lawyer or company, you can turn to various entities to file a complaint. 

1. If the person identified himself/herself as an immigration consultant, the complaint must be made to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). This is the regulatory body that oversees all licensed immigration consultants in Canada.

• You can check if a consultant is registered on their official website.
• You may file a formal complaint if the consultant is a member of the ICAC and has committed a misconduct, or if the person impersonated one without being authorized.

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2. If the person identified himself or herself as a lawyer, he or she should seek out and contact the Law Society of the appropriate province (e.g., The Law Society of Ontario or The Law Society of British Columbia).

• These organizations investigate complaints of professional misconduct and may take disciplinary action against their members.

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3. If the fraud is of a general nature (company, individual, etc.), you should report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).

• The CAFC is the nationwide fraud reporting center. Its role is to collect information on scams and assist law enforcement in their investigations.

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4. If a criminal offense has been committed, you should file a report with the local police.

• If money or personal information has been stolen, it is a crime. Go to the nearest police station to file an official report. This report may be useful in recovering your funds or for bank or credit card disputes.

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Recommendations to avoid scams

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Prevention is the best tool. Keep these points in mind when looking for a job in Canada::

• Always check the credentials of your immigration consultant. Remember that he/she must be registered with the ICAC and a lawyer must be registered with the Law Society of your province.
• Be skeptical of promises. The Canadian work permit process is complex. Promises of freebies, extreme facilitation or absurdly short waiting times are almost always signs of a scam.
• English or French is mandatory in Canada and the vast majority of employers require it, "skipping" this requirement is a red flag.

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I hope this topic will serve to create awareness and strength of support as a community. Are you looking for a job to live in Canada? In this link, https://www.immilandcanada.com/reclutamiento/candidatos you will find secure employment exchange and certified legal advice.

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At Immiland Law Professional Corporation, we represent you in building a prosperous and secure working future in Canada. Contact us and leave a comment to help you with your needs.

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Thank you for reading our blog and pay close attention to your next steps!

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With love, 

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Immiland Law Professional Corporation