Does Canada Immigration Check for Fake Educational Documents?

Applicants hoping to immigrate to Canada must be aware that the Canadian government conducts thorough checks on educational documents submitted with their applications. This involves a series of measures to ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of these documents, protecting citizens and the integrity of the immigration process. Here’s a comprehensive look at the verification procedures and their importance.

Verification Procedures and Their Importance

When applying for visas, permits, or permanent residency, Canadian immigration authorities require educational credentials as part of the application. To ensure the validity of these documents, Canada employs stringent measures:

1. Verify with Educational Institutions

Immigration officials may contact educational institutions directly to confirm the legitimacy of the documents provided. This step ensures that the records match the institution’s records and provides proof of the applicant’s educational background.

2. Use Credential Assessment Services

Many applicants are required to have their educational credentials assessed by designated organizations like World Education Services (WES). WES verifies the authenticity and equivalency of foreign educational qualifications, ensuring that the academic credentials meet Canadian standards.

3. Investigate Fraudulent Claims

Should there be any suspicions regarding the validity of the documents, authorities may conduct further investigations, including background checks and interviews, to determine the authenticity of the provided information.

The Consequences of Submitting Fake Educational Documents

Submitting false educational documents can lead to severe consequences, including application denials, bans on future applications, and even legal action. It is imperative for applicants to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the immigration process.

According to the Canadian government, lying or submitting forged documents to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a serious criminal violation. This includes documents such as:

Boarding passes and travel papers Visas Apprenticeship or trade degree and diploma certificates Certificates of divorce, separation, final annulment, marriage, birth, or death Police certificates

IRCC partners with organizations like the Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to monitor and identify false documents.

The Safe Process for Submitting Educational Records

Rather than applicants handling and submitting these documents directly, a secure process is recommended. Educational institutions must deliver paperwork to WES (a third-party assessor), who then securely sends the report to Canadian immigration officials. Applicants are strictly prohibited from handling or giving these documents to institutions or WES directly, as they will not be accepted.

A Personal Experience

Discussing a personal experience, my wife's application process took seven months and involved numerous back-and-forth exchanges with specialists, various email requests, and phone calls to substantiate her marital and financial stability. Even with a meticulously filled and submitted application, everything was carefully reviewed to prevent dishonest or fraudulent individuals from immigrating.

We ensured that our application was thorough, covering every detail, including how and where we met, where and why we got married, her financial standing, and our combined earnings and career paths. Every piece of data was included and verified.

Thankfully, the rigorous verification process is in place to ensure that only individuals with the right to be in Canada are accepted. It helps maintain the integrity and fairness of the immigration system.

Conclusion

Canada's immigration system prioritizes the verification and authenticity of all submitted educational documents. This strict verification process is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the immigration system and ensuring that only individuals with valid credentials are admitted.

For those considering immigrating to Canada, it is imperative to provide accurate and truthful information and follow the recommended process for submitting educational documents.