IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN CANADA: #tangledweb
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ore than six hundred thousand foreign students with different hopes expressing different perspectives and different opinions about Canadian Immigration Consultants- that is how chaotic and twisted the present scenario is. Migration of students from all over the globe has been a boon for the Canadian Economy since past few years. Canada excels in being a nation that attracts students (undergraduates and post-graduates) worldwide because of the moderate immigration laws that allows smooth transition from being an international student in Canada to being a Permanent Resident of Canada. The credit for this progression goes to the Post
Graduation Work Permit program that plays a pivotal role in this transition. However, the gateway to this one of the most competitive packages is often managed by several immigration consultants/agents. Recently, media has been reporting many clueless migrants
who have spent or are willing to spend huge amount of dollars to an unapproved expert, just to show up in Canada and to secure the position or school program they were guaranteed which actually doesn’t exist. It is very difficult to tally the number of international students who have been lured and abused by these fake exercises. Aside these malpractitioners, there are legit and licensed immigration consultants who are providing righteous and fair assistance to the immigrants. It is highly unfortunate to see that their reputation is continually being jeopardised by these ‘ghost consultants’ especially when their unethical practices are being highlighted all over the media. There will always remain an uncertainty when it comes to Immigration Fraud which might sound an attractive alternative but is a punishable offence that can cost you your entire career. So be aware and smart enough to differentiate between a ‘ghost consultant’ and a legit Immigration Consultant. With recent articles and media coverage it seems somewhat unfair
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that Immigration Consultants are being viewed negatively because of the acts of a few bad apples. People should always remember and understand that nobody is knocking on your front door and forcing to use their services. Furthermore, most people know the difference between right and wrong and then when things go wrong they decide to blame whoever they can. We as a community should remember that we are all immigrants, whether first generation, second, third or fourth. Yet nobody thinks before criticizing international students, foreign truck drivers and new immigrants. The foreign study business model, brings billions of dollars to the Canadian economy, these dollars create jobs for tutors, lecturers, janitors, security guards and that’s just in the colleges. The referral commissions that these colleges dish out to the agents in Canada and abroad again millions of dollars ranging from 5% to 20% of an international students first year fees. R. Kaur (International Student)
NOVEMBER 2020
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