What is “Misrepresentation” When Immigrating?

Probably the worst transgression when applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is “misrepresentation”. Canadian officials are very strict about “misrepresentation”, and when discovered, applicants could have their application refused or their status revoked. All of this could result in being “inadmissible” to Canada.

If an immigration applicant withholds information or provides documents that are false, IRCC considers this to be “misrepresentation”. There are various guidelines, all of which imply fraud:

• False information on an application or when speaking to an official
• Withholding salient information (even when not asked specifically)
• False/altered national passports, travel documents, or travel visas
• False/altered educational documents (degrees, diplomas, transcripts)
• False/altered credentials, apprenticeships, or trade documentation
• False/altered certificates that are for birth, marriage, divorce, death

The penalty for “misrepresentation” is simply rejection. Depending on the circumstances, entry to Canada may be prohibited for 5 years. Clearly, there will be a permanent record at IRCC, and worse, any status as a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Temporary Resident may be fully revoked. Sometimes there are criminal charges.

“Misrepresentation” is risky and unwarranted. Immigration applicants should ensure that every application and supporting document is accurate, correct, and current. And while mistakes do happen, there is a wide gap between an innocent mistake and false information. Where support documents are insufficient, this can be resolved.

Importantly, an application submitted on behalf of an applicant by a third party can also be denied and rejected when information is either false or missing. This is one of the reasons why an experienced, reputable immigration firm can be of great benefit throughout an immigration application - everything is done right from the start.

In situations where “misrepresentation” is unjustifiable, an appeal process is available in order to prove otherwise. For those who are actually charged, it would still be possible to come into Canada on a Temporary Resident Permit. The TRP would allow an inadmissible person to reside in Canada from one day to three years.