Unauthorized Immigration Consultants tarnishing our Businesses

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Minister Miller, and Respected Program Manager of Ankara,

We hope this letter finds you well. We are a group of immigration consultants who have been actively engaged in the field for many years, dedicated to assisting individuals from various backgrounds in their immigration journeys. We write to you today as a collective voice, sharing our concerns and seeking clarity on recent immigration application refusals. Our commitment to upholding Canadian standards, following immigration rules and regulations, and maintaining trust with our clients has been the cornerstone of our profession. However, we have encountered a recurring issue that warrants your attention and intervention.

One notable case involves a father with three minors and a successful business owner with substantial assets in Iran. He applied for a visitor visa and received a refusal, citing the fear that he might not return to his home country after his visit. Despite pursuing this case through the federal court and complying with all requested updates, he was denied again, leaving us puzzled by the lack of clear reasoning behind the refusal.

Another concerning case involves a 31-year-old pharmacist who owns a thriving pharmacy in Shiraz, boasting a strong travel history and a substantial online following as a blogger. She was denied a visitor visa due to her plan to visit Mexico with friends after their reunion in Toronto. The refusal was based on her supposed lack of a valid Mexican visa, despite the fact that a Canadian visitor visa holder does not require a Mexican visa for a one-week vacation.

While these are just two examples, our group has encountered numerous cases with similar issues, raising questions about the consistency and transparency of the decision-making process. As dedicated immigration consultants, we share the concern of safeguarding the integrity of our field. However, the proliferation of unregulated consultants and bloggers has created an uneven playing field for those of us who adhere to the rules and regulations.

The common denominator among these refusals appears to be the stated purpose of travel. Each applicant, including those represented by our group, provided comprehensive documentation demonstrating their strong ties to Iran, substantial assets, and extensive travel histories. Yet, the refusal letters lack clarity and specificity, causing frustration and uncertainty among our clients.

We are deeply concerned about the harm this situation is inflicting on our reputation, livelihoods, and businesses. Many of our clients are experienced entrepreneurs who have engaged in business trips and investments both inside and outside Iran. Some have invested in real estate and businesses in Europe and now seek to explore opportunities in the Canadian market.

As a group of dedicated immigration consultants, we respectfully request your assistance and intervention in addressing these concerns. We understand that not every applicant can be granted a visitor visa, but we implore your respected offices to provide clear and specific reasons for refusals—especially if there are concerns related to an applicant's personal or financial background. This transparency would ensure that professionals like ourselves are not unjustly blamed for perceived shortcomings.

To assist in your review, we have enclosed a list of our clients' names, application numbers, UCI numbers, and pertinent information regarding their cases.

We genuinely appreciate your time and consideration of these pressing matters. Your support in addressing these challenges would be invaluable to both our clients and our profession.

Thank you for your understanding and assistance.

Sincerely,

just a few hundreds of your licenced and authorized members of CICC