By Buertey Francis BORYOR
ASKIA Immigration Consulting Services in collaboration with Black Africanness RCIC (BA-RCIC) on June 22, 2024 organised an informative webinar aimed at tackling the scourge of fraudulent emigration practices in the country and protecting the interests of genuine applicants seeking emigration services in looking to immigrate to Canada.
BA-RCIC is a professional network comprising certified Black Immigration Consultants (RCIC), lawyers and student advisors (RISIA) committed to empowering licenced immigration professionals within the Canadian black community by offering a platform for networking, co-counselling and education while creating a unified voice against biased immigration laws and policies and raising awareness of immigration fraud.
The maiden emigration fraud webinar, which forms part of a sustained effort by ASKIA and BA-RCIC to combat the menace, shed light on various aspects of emigration fraud and educated stakeholders on preventive measures while explaining the right processes for applications, among others.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASKIA Immigration Consulting Services, Mrs. Marie Keita Amarteifio – a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, while addressing participants stressed the importance of effective collaborating strategy in fighting the menace. “There is a need to foster collaboration among international entities to enhance the efficacy of our collective efforts.”
She added that addressing the issue of fraud is essential for maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and safeguarding the interest of those seeking immigration services.
While highlighting red flags to look out for when considering a pathway to emigrate to Canada, she noted that unauthorised representatives – also called ghost-consultants – aside from employing false promises to trap unwary clients or prospects looking to emigrate, they persuade them by basing their legitimacy on a few past successful instances.
“They will show you the proof that they were previously successful at sending people to Canada. They will also show you submission letters, visas and other vital documentations to lure you in,” Mrs. Amarteifio elaborated.
The local-licenced immigration professional and renowned businesswoman woman further cautioned unauthorised individuals and entities working in the nation’s travel and tourism industry not to misrepresent themselves as qualified emigration advisory service providers for Canada in Ghana, as such behaviour can have serious legal consequences.
Moreover, she bemoaned the increased activities of unregulated players offering immigration consultation within and beyond the borders of Canada and called for swift action to curtail the situation.
“You can run your travel and tour businesses, but make sure you are doing so in compliance with laws of the nations in which you operate as well as the destinations you are looking to help your clients reach,” she added.
Also, she emphasised that adherence to both Canadian and Ghanaian legislation is essential for legitimacy and suitability of the services offered by immigration experts. “We must ensure compliance with both Ghanaian and Canadian laws as it is very crucial for the credibility and eligibility of the services we provide.”
In addition, Mrs. Amarteifio warned individuals against participating in the so-called Canadian Green Card Immigration Lottery as it does not exist. She further indicated that emigrating as a self-employed person to Canada is on hold until January 2027.
Although nurses may be eligible for emigration to Canada as skilled workers under a variety of federal and provincial economic immigration programmes, she pointed out that they must be aware of the steps involved in meeting additional requirements for certification and further academic training for specialisation. “Providing just the language score or an educational credential is not enough,” she stated.
This webinar’s maiden edition saw a remarkable turnout, with over 350 attendees participating. The session covered topics including pathways to enter Canada temporarily and permanently, identification, reporting fraudulent activities and many more.
