One lie ruins a thousand truths

To disclose or not to disclose?

With Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there is no question—providing accurate and complete information is mandatory.

IRCC needs to know who is entering Canadian borders and why.

Questions not answered

Before I get started on a case, I send the client a questionnaire to complete.

This questionnaire gives me some insight of their history and plans, so I know how to proceed with the visa application.

I noticed the client didn’t answer this question: Have you ever applied for a Canadian visa before?

Assuming she had missed it, I email asking her to kindly provide an answer.

A few days later, she responds with a calendar date.

Because this answer is not complete, I ask her to elaborate.

The client responds with a “No, I haven’t been to Canada.”

I see that her answers are not consistent. So, I ask again—for the 3rd time. She responds with “I did but don’t remember when.”

This is a problem.

Because, if she doesn’t remember when she came to Canada—IRCC will.

IRCC has a database where applicant information is stored. It’s called the Global Case Management System (GCMS). They extract information from it.

In my previous work with IRCC, I used this database to conduct background checks—So, I’m aware of the process.

The truth comes out

To make a long story short, the client confesses.

After having a video call with her, she admits to having applied for a Canadian permanent resident visa. While the frequencies of her voice went up, down, and crooked, she explains that she had no idea what became of her permanent resident application—and how she doesn’t remember which year she applied…

After that confession, she disappeared, and I never heard from her again.

Talk to your representative

If you plan to have a consultant or lawyer assist you with your visa application, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Let them know of any prior immigration situations you have had. Let them know if there is anything that is concerning you.

This way, your representative can figure out a solution for you.

The consequences of withholding information

If I had submitted the client’s application without mentioning her previous attempt for a permanent resident visa, you know what could have happened? She could have received a refusal, or a 5-year travel ban from Canada. 

These are some of the penalties that an applicant and a representative could experience for not disclosing  information on a visa application:

• your application could be refused
• you could be banned from Canada for at least 5 years
• you could have a permanent record of fraud with IRCC
• your temporary or permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship could be taken away
• you could be banned from applying for citizenship for 5 years
• you could be removed from Canada

 

So, the best thing to do, is to tell the truth—explain your circumstances. 

Countries share information with other countries

Immigration authorities share traveler data. When applicants withhold information from IRCC, international databases can reveal these omissions, resulting in visa refusals.

Disclosing your information on your application

Depending on how you answer IRCC background questions, you may have to:

• provide more information
• deal with longer processing times
• feel annoyed

 

BUT 

Which is preferable? The hassle of having to provide more documentation, with the possibility of being approved a Canadian Business Visitor Visa?

OR

Risk getting a refusal, or a 5-year travel ban from Canada, for not having disclosed information.

 

My articles

My articles are drawn from real-world experiences, handling numerous visa applications in a fast-paced corporate environment. Each insight and tip shared here comes from actual cases, challenges overcome, and solutions that work. Stay updated with practical immigration tips by following my weekly articles.

Disclaimer: The above writing is not intended to be a source of legal advice. Please seek legal advice and use your own good judgement before choosing to act on any information provided above. If you choose to rely on this article, you do so entirely at your own accountability.

If you have comments or questions, you can leave them in the comment box below or contact me at: [email protected].

Image by Nikhil Joseph