Visa and eTA Scams: How to Apply Without Paying a Middleman

Visa and eTA scams can target people seeking permission to travel to Canada, including applicants in Pakistan. ProPakistani reports that Canada has warned Pakistanis about these scams; anyone applying should verify requirements and payment instructions through official Canadian channels.

What the scam looks like

Visa and eTA scams may involve someone pretending to be a government employee, an immigration adviser, a travel agent or a company that can arrange an application. The person may offer to submit forms, promise a faster decision or claim that a special payment will secure approval. These are common tactics in immigration application fraud, but a promise or claim is not proof that the person is authorized or that the service is genuine.

Some offers arrive by email, text, social media, messaging apps or phone. Others appear on websites that look official or use language and design intended to make an applicant think they are dealing with a Canadian government service. A fake service might ask for passport details, identity documents, account passwords or payment information.

People may also be asked to pay for help with an application. Paid help is not automatically a scam: some applicants choose to hire an authorized representative. But no representative can guarantee that a visa or eTA will be approved. The decision belongs to the Canadian government, and an applicant should be able to understand what service they are paying for.

A visa and an eTA are different travel documents, and which one a traveller needs depends on their circumstances. An eTA does not replace a visa when a visa is required. Check the current requirements for your situation on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website before paying anyone or sharing documents.

Red flags to watch for

• A guarantee of approval. Be cautious if someone promises a visa, eTA or entry to Canada. A private adviser cannot decide the outcome of an application.
• Pressure to act immediately. A demand to pay at once, or a warning that you will lose your chance unless you act immediately, is a reason to pause and verify independently.
• Unclear fees or payment instructions. Ask what a fee covers and who receives it. Be wary of requests to send money to a personal account, use an unusual payment method or pay extra to make an official decision happen sooner.
• Requests for sensitive information before you can verify the service. Passport details and identity documents can be misused. Do not hand over passwords, security codes or control of your email or application account.
• A lookalike government service. Check the website address carefully and reach official information by entering the known Canada.ca address yourself, rather than relying on a link in an unexpected message.
• A claim of special access. Be sceptical of someone who says they have a personal connection inside an office or can influence an officer or bypass ordinary requirements.
• No clear written agreement for paid help. Before hiring a representative, confirm their identity, qualifications, services and total charges. Do not assume that a polished website or professional-sounding title proves they are authorized.
• Instructions to hide information. Do not follow advice to provide false details, alter documents or leave out relevant information. You are responsible for information submitted in your application.

Avoiding Canadian visa fraud

Start by checking what document you need and how to apply through official Canadian government information. Read the instructions yourself, even if you later hire someone to help. That makes it easier to notice when a person asks you to do something that does not match the official process.

If you choose an immigration representative, check whether they are authorized to provide immigration advice or representation. Use the regulator or professional body relevant to that representative’s stated occupation, and verify their contact details independently. Do not rely only on a link, phone number or certificate the person sends you.

Ask for a written explanation of the work, the charges and what happens if you decide not to proceed. Keep copies of messages, forms, agreements and payment records. Make sure you can access your own email and application account, and use a password that you do not share with the representative.

Submit information truthfully and review forms before they are sent. If someone says they will apply on your behalf, ask for a copy of what was submitted and confirmation of any official correspondence. Do not let another person’s promise of a quick result push you into sending money or documents before you have checked their identity.

What to do if you’ve been targeted

1. Stop communicating and do not send more. Do not pay another fee, provide additional documents or share a security code to recover money or complete an application. A new demand for payment may deepen the loss.
2. Secure your accounts. If you shared a password, change it from a trusted device and change it anywhere else you reused it. Turn on available account security features and contact your email provider or relevant service if you can no longer sign in.
3. Contact your bank or payment provider promptly. If money was sent, or you shared banking or card details, explain what happened and ask what steps may be available to protect the account or dispute the transaction. Follow the bank’s instructions and keep any case reference it provides.
4. Protect your identity documents. If you sent a passport image or other identity information, keep a record of what was shared and when. Ask the relevant issuing authority what steps to take if you believe your document details may be misused.
5. Preserve evidence. Save messages, emails, payment receipts, website addresses and the person’s contact details. Take screenshots where appropriate. Do not continue engaging just to collect more information.
6. Check application status independently. Use official Canadian government channels, not a link or contact supplied by the person who approached you. If you are unsure whether an application was submitted, seek guidance through those official channels.
7. Warn anyone else who may be affected. If a family member or helper shared information or made a payment, tell them what happened so they can secure their accounts and contact their own bank if needed.

How to report it

Report suspected visa and eTA scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. Reporting can help document the activity, even if you did not lose money or are outside Canada.

Contact your local police service if you have lost money, had identity information misused or feel at risk. If money or banking details were involved, contact your bank or payment provider as soon as possible. Give them the records you saved and follow their advice about securing accounts and responding to the transaction.

Is an immigration adviser required?

Not everyone needs to hire an adviser. If you choose to use one, verify that they are authorized and understand the fee and service before agreeing. A representative can assist with an application but cannot guarantee an outcome.

How can I check which document I need?

Use official Canadian government information to check the requirements for your nationality, travel document and plans. Do not rely on a social media post, an unsolicited message or a paid service’s claim when the answer affects your application.

Source: Canada Warns Pakistanis Against Visa and eTA Scams – ProPakistani

Reviewed by our editorial team on October 19, 2026.