Surviving Canadian Immigration: Whose Fault Was It?
Not every answer is found in action. Some are waiting in quiet reflection
Though this story is not related to business immigration, it still highlights a common immigration concern—and the lesson applies to every immigration journey.
If you’re planning to hire an immigration consultant or an immigration lawyer, remember:
- If you’re unsure—ask questions.
- If you don’t agree with the terms—don’t sign.
- If something feels off—don’t move forward.
I’ll share an incident that highlights why these basics matter.
When Expectations and Reality Collide
A message flashes across my phone: “Hi luv, I need to talk to you, this is urgent.”
My friend’s childhood friend is upset—her husband’s sponsorship application is at risk.
When I get on the call with the distressed friend, she expresses her frustrations.
She was referred to an immigration consultant by her friend (the one who texted me), and her business partner. They both told her the consultant was reliable and that his fees were “reasonable.”
Based on their recommendation, she reached out to him.
When she met with the consultant, he quoted her a higher price—DOUBLE than what her friend and the biz partner had mentioned. But instead of voicing this to the consultant to get clarification, she accepted the fees and moved forward with the whole process—without saying a word.
Why?
Because she was eager to start the process for her husband.
When Delays Begin
On our call, she lamented how others (who she had helped with their sponsorship applications) had already received IRCC approvals—yet she was still waiting for hers.
Her frustrations grew.
She also mentioned another important thing:
IRCC had requested police clearance certificates from her husband—But instead of her husband requesting the records on his own, he had someone else attempt to get the documents on his behalf—and failed.
As a result, there were no police records submitted, and she didn’t notify IRCC about this.
She was fed up.
Out of concern, I contacted IRCC on her behalf through the webform—just to keep IRCC informed about the delayed police documentation.
The Blame Game Begins
She began pointing fingers:
- She questioned why everyone else’s application moved faster than hers.
- She blamed her friend and the business partner for the referral.
- She blamed the consultant for being too expensive.
- She blamed the consultant for the delays.
- She blamed IRCC for the delays.
- She considered giving up and returning to her country of origin.
- And she threatened to not pay the consultant’s remaining fees…
The consultant warned he would withdraw her application if she breached their agreement.
What started as a hopeful process became emotional, reactive, and stressful.
So—Who’s Fault Was It?
Here’s the thing:
- Her friends referred someone they knew.
- The consultant’s fees were higher than expected—but she chose not to question the fees because of her eagerness.
- The police records weren’t provided on time—which is an IRCC requirement.
- The processing delay stemmed from missing documents—not IRCC timelines.
- She threatened to not pay the consultant…
This wasn’t just a matter of one thing going wrong—it was a case of unspoken concerns, unclear expectations, and procedures not followed.
Lessons for Every Person Applying for a Canadian Visa
Whether you’re applying for a business visitor visa, sponsoring a family member, or any other type of immigration application, remember these 5 things:
1. Do your own due diligence
A referral is helpful, but you still need to a bit of research and ask questions, so that you can make the best-informed decisions.
2. Confirm everything in writing
If a consultant quotes you a different price than expected—ask for clarity.
3. Read the whole retainer agreement
This is a contract. If you don’t agree with the terms—don’t sign.
4. Missing records cause delays.
Keep IRCC informed if you’re having trouble collecting certain documents.
5. Don’t let emotion override strategy
Desperation and haste can often lead to actions not calculated. Be transparent with your consultant. Voice your concerns.
The Outcome of The Sponsorship Application
Her hubby’s application was eventually approved—he made it to Canada.
When Hiring a Professional
Hiring an immigration consultant or an immigration lawyer is a professional relationship. If you don’t agree with the process, the price, or the communication style—you’re free to mention that or decline the service.
And if delays happen during the process, review the situation to make sure that you have covered all your bases. Ask your consultant to provide details of all the steps that have taken place, if he/she hasn’t yet done so.
Because in immigration, clear expectations and proactive communication make all the difference.
My blogs
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, which entail downfalls and victories.
Stay updated with practical immigration tips by following my blogs.
Disclaimer: The above writing is not intended to be a source of legal advice. Please seek legal advice and use your own good judgment 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.
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