How not to fall for an NRI marriage scam, and how to get help in Canada

Over the past decade, a distressing trend has come to light in India concerning thousands of wives who have been deceived by husbands living abroad. While official statistics are limited, a 2018 petition filed by eight such women in the Supreme Court brought attention to the plight of more than 40,000 wives who were deceived into marrying Non-Resident Indian (NRI) men. Over the years, India's government has had to address more than 6,000 complaints against NRI men from 2015 to 2019.

This situation is compounded by the cultural belief held by many Indian families that an NRI son-in-law would provide better opportunities for their daughters. In their pursuit of such prospects, some families resort to offering exorbitant dowries to secure an NRI son-in-law, exacerbating the challenges faced by these deceived wives.

With rising immigration to Canada, frauds such as fake NRI marriages, student scams, and permanent residency scams have skyrocketted.


To protect Canadian citizens, PR holders as well as victims of such fruad, the Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shared warning signs to watch out for, and tips to get help.

"Some people think marriage to a Canadian citizen will be their ticket to Canada. You should think carefully before marrying someone and sponsoring them to come to Canada," the IRCC warns, especially in the following situations...

• you’ve just met
• they want to get married quickly
• they’ve been married or in a common-law relationship many times before
• they haven’t shared very much information about their background or family

Sponsoring your spouse or common-law partner in Canada is a significant commitment that comes with financial responsibilities and legal obligations. When you sponsor your spouse or partner, you agree to provide them with financial support for a period of 3 years, even if the marriage or relationship were to encounter difficulties and not continue as planned.

In the event that your sponsored spouse or partner relies on social assistance during the sponsorship period, you, as the sponsor, will be required to repay the money provided by the Canadian government. Furthermore, until this debt is repaid, you will not be eligible to sponsor anyone else for immigration to Canada.

The IRCC has also flagged 'marriages of convenience'- whose sole purpose is to let the sponsored spouse or common-law partner immigrate to Canada.

"Our officers are trained to recognize real immigration applications. They know how to detect false marriages. They have many ways to spot marriage fraud," the government agency has said.

If you enter into a marriage of convenience to come to Canada as an immigrant, IRCC may

• take legal action against you
• not allow you to enter Canada for 5 years and
• deport you from Canada

How IRCC detects fraud:

document checks
visits to people’s homes
interviews with both sponsors and applicants

If you are in an abusive relationship

It's essential to know that they do not have to endure an abusive relationship to maintain their status in the country. If you are facing abuse and someone is threatening you, it's crucial to understand that as a permanent resident, you have rights and freedoms in Canada, and your status is not contingent upon staying in an abusive situation.

In the past, there was a condition on some sponsored spouses or partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents that required them to live with their sponsors to maintain their permanent resident status. However, this condition no longer exists, and your status is no longer tied to your living arrangements with your sponsor.

If your temporary status is currently valid in Canada, you have the option to prolong or revalidate your status.

In the event that your temporary status has lapsed, you could potentially restore your previous status or request a unique permit for a temporary stay in Canada. Diverse immigration pathways are accessible for those seeking permanent residency in Canada, including the possibility of applying for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

If you find yourself in an abusive situation, whether you have permanent or temporary status in Canada, there are options and support available to you:

1. Get immediate help: In emergencies, call 9-1-1 or your local police.
   
2. Contact the Client Support Centre: Call 1-888-242-2100 to reach the Client Support Centre for information on your citizenship or immigration status. Select the option for victims of abuse and forced marriage to speak directly to an agent. They can provide you with information about your options, including a fee-exempt permit created for victims of family violence who need to escape their abusive spouse or partner.
   
3. Access community services: Call 2-1-1 to find community, social, and health services that can offer assistance.
   
4. Seek specialized support: If you are a woman escaping violence, you can find refuge in a women's shelter.
   
5. Support for young people: Young individuals who require support can speak to counsellors without disclosing their identity by contacting Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or visiting their website.