IRCC Stalks You More Than You Think! This is How IRCC Tracks & Verifies Your Immigration Claims
Jan 31, 2025
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts thorough verification of the information submitted by immigration applicants. This includes external research, checks on social media platforms, inquiries with foreign authorities, and even direct contact with financial institutions. The recent Federal Court decision in Agbai v. Canada (MCI), 2025 FC 101 underscores the extent to which IRCC can go to verify an applicant’s claims, reinforcing the need for truthfulness and consistency in all immigration applications.
How IRCC Conducts External Verification
Investigations in Foreign Countries
IRCC has the ability to verify employment history through local authorities in an applicant’s home country. In Agbai, IRCC reached out to the Special Police Fraud Unit in Lagos, Nigeria, which found that the applicant’s claimed employer did not exist.
They may contact government agencies, business registries, tax authorities, and police departments to verify employment history, financial details, and any legal issues.
IRCC also has the authority to conduct background checks through intelligence-sharing agreements with international law enforcement agencies. This means that even minor discrepancies in past applications can surface during their verification process.
In some cases, IRCC may request an applicant to appear for an in-person interview to assess credibility and provide additional evidence to support their claims.
Social Media and Online Presence Checks
There have been numerous reports that IRCC reviews applicants’ LinkedIn profiles to cross-check employment history.
If an applicant claims to have worked for a particular company but their LinkedIn profile lacks that experience, or if the company’s social media and website do not mention the applicant, IRCC may suspect misrepresentation.
Other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter may also be reviewed if they contain relevant information. For example, if an applicant claims to be working in Canada but posts about working elsewhere, this could be a red flag.
Employers’ online presence is also a key factor—IRCC often checks the validity of the business, its operational status, and the existence of employees claimed in applications. If an employer does not have a legitimate online presence, the applicant’s job claim may be scrutinized.
Verification of Employer Details
IRCC may call or email an applicant’s stated employer to verify job duties, salary, and employment dates.
Officers often check the company’s website and online presence to confirm its legitimacy and ensure that its business operations align with the job description provided in the immigration application.
Some applicants have been asked to provide additional employment proof, such as tax returns, pay stubs, work schedules, or even colleagues' contact details for further verification.
Employers who are found to have issued false employment records can also face legal repercussions, which can impact the credibility of future applicants from the same company.
Bank Statement Verifications
If an applicant submits proof of funds, IRCC can contact the issuing bank directly to confirm that the account exists and that the stated balance was actually available at the time the statement was issued.
In cases where financial documents are suspected to be altered or fraudulent, IRCC may request additional documentation or issue a procedural fairness letter (PFL).
Recent reports indicate that some applicants have been asked to provide bank transaction histories instead of just balance certificates to ensure that funds are not suddenly deposited for the sole purpose of meeting financial requirements.
IRCC has also been known to cross-check information with credit rating agencies and financial intelligence units in certain countries to detect inconsistencies.
The Importance of Consistency Across Applications
One of the most common red flags that can trigger a misrepresentation finding is inconsistency in employment history across different immigration applications.
For example:
If an applicant omitted an employment experience in their initial temporary resident visa (TRV) application, but later included it in their permanent residence (PR) application, IRCC may suspect that the new information was fabricated to meet eligibility criteria.
In Agbai, the applicant’s undisclosed employment at a school was discovered, leading to further scrutiny and, ultimately, a misrepresentation finding.
If an applicant previously claimed self-employment but later provides an employment reference letter for the same period, IRCC may see this as contradictory.
Changes in job titles, durations, or company details across different applications may also lead to intensified scrutiny and document verification.
The Consequences of Misrepresentation
Under Section 40(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), a finding of misrepresentation results in:
A five-year ban from entering Canada
Inadmissibility for permanent residence
Possible removal from Canada if the applicant is already inside the country
Negative impacts on future visa applications, even after the five-year ban has been lifted
Potential criminal liability in cases of document fraud
How to Avoid a Misrepresentation Finding
To prevent potential misrepresentation issues, applicants should:
Ensure all information is truthful and verifiable – Provide genuine documents and be honest about employment history, education, and financials.
Maintain consistency across all immigration applications – Details should align between TRV, PR, work permit, and study permit applications.
Be prepared to explain any inconsistencies – If any discrepancies exist, provide a clear explanation in a supporting letter along with documentary evidence.
Submit a comprehensive application package – Anticipate potential red flags and proactively address them with strong supporting evidence.
Keep records of past applications – Applicants should maintain copies of all previously submitted immigration forms to ensure consistency in future applications.
Seek legal assistance if needed – Immigration laws and verification processes are constantly evolving, and having professional guidance can help avoid costly mistakes.
Conclusion
The Agbai case serves as a stark reminder that IRCC has robust verification mechanisms in place. With external research, social media checks, and direct inquiries with foreign authorities and financial institutions, applicants must be truthful and consistent in their submissions. The consequences of misrepresentation are severe, making it critical to provide transparent and well-documented applications.
IRCC’s ability to conduct deep-dive investigations means that applicants can no longer rely on inconsistent or incomplete applications. Immigration officers are well-equipped to detect discrepancies, verify information globally, and issue misrepresentation findings when necessary.
If you need assistance in preparing a credible, comprehensive, and consistent immigration application, our team at Blacksy can help ensure that your case is strong and verifiable. Contact us today to discuss your application strategy.
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About the Author
I’m Ahmet Faruk Ocak, a Canadian immigration lawyer and the founder of Blacksy Immigration Law Firm 🌊.
At Blacksy, we specialize in providing honest, straightforward, and tailored immigration solutions to individuals and businesses worldwide. Our brand promise is simple: no unnecessary fuss, no false hopes, and no empty promises—just realistic, reliable guidance to help you achieve your immigration goals.
Whether you’re expanding your business to Canada, transferring top talent, or planning your future here, we’re here to guide you with precision, transparency, and care.
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