What penalties can result from entering a fake marriage to obtain immigration benefits?

Canada treats fake marriages—also called marriages of convenience – as a very serious immigration offence. A fake marriage means the relationship was entered into primarily to obtain immigration status, rather than to establish a genuine marital or conjugal relationship. So just showing a marriage certificate is not enough. When IRCC decides a marriage is not genuine or finds that someone hid important information, it can be treated as misrepresentation under Canada’s immigration law.

Here are the main consequences:

• 5-year ban (inadmissibility):
  If misrepresentation is confirmed, the person can be banned from getting most types of visas or permanent residence for five years. Visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and PR applications will normally be refused during this period.
• Refusal of current applications:
  Any sponsorship or PR application in process can be immediately refused.
• Risk to permanent residents:
  If the person already has PR status, IRCC can send them to an admissibility hearing. If the fake marriage is proven, they can lose their permanent residence and receive a removal order.
• Financial consequences for the sponsor:
  The sponsor may still be legally responsible for the three-year financial undertaking, even if the marriage is later found to be non-genuine. If the sponsored person goes on social assistance, the government can force the sponsor to repay the debt.
• Possible criminal charges:
  When fake documents, payments for marriage, or organized fraud are involved, criminal charges can also be laid.
• No need for “intent to lie”:
  Misrepresentation can happen even if someone “didn’t mean to lie,” as long as an important fact was hidden or twisted.

Overall, fake marriages can lead to long bans, legal problems, financial penalties, and even removal from Canada – so complete honesty is essential.

To understand what often causes refusals in genuine and non-genuine cases, see our FAQ: “Why do spouse visas get rejected in Canada?”

It’s never acceptable to enter into a fake marriage to be able to immigrate to Canada, there are legal ways to do so depending on your circumstances. Better to book a consultation with Licensed immigration consultants to discuss your own case and get information on spouse sponsorship Canada. You can also check our Immigration Consultant Fees.