Chinese Family Loses $40,000 in Canadian Immigration Scheme, Returns Home Devastated

A Chinese family's dream of a new life in Canada has turned into a devastating nightmare, leaving them broke and traumatized after losing $40,000 in savings. The family was lured by promises of permanent residency through an immigration scheme that ultimately failed, forcing them to return to China.

Key Takeaways

• A Chinese family paid $40,000 to an unlicensed immigration consultant in Saskatoon.

• The promised immigration pathway proved to be a "plan for failure," according to an immigration lawyer.

• The family was forced to return to China with no savings and no prospects in Canada.

• Experts highlight a lack of oversight in the regulation of immigration agents, creating a "Wild West" environment.

The Broken Promise

TingTing Biao and her family arrived in Canada on tourist visas in January, seeking opportunities for permanent residency. They were referred to June HR Solutions in Saskatoon, where they met Jun Su. Biao believed Su, being of Chinese descent, would be trustworthy. Su offered a path to permanent residency for a fee of up to $110,000.

Biao paid $40,000 of this amount. The contract outlined payments tied to immigration steps, including a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for a kitchen helper position. However, an immigration lawyer noted that this type of job did not qualify for Saskatchewan's permanent residency pathway at the time, and that the entire plan was flawed from the start.

A Costly Detour and Rejection

Following the LMIA, Biao paid an additional $20,000. Her subsequent work permit application was rejected by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which cited concerns about her intent to leave Canada and inconsistencies in her application.

Su then proposed a more expensive alternative: investing $80,000 in a business in Yellowknife for an investment visa. This program had stringent requirements, including a high net worth and English fluency, which Biao did not meet.

Unlicensed Advice and Lack of Oversight

Jun Su is not a licensed immigration consultant. While her husband, Zheng Tao Liu, is listed as a licensed consultant at June HR Solutions, he is not authorized to practice law in Saskatchewan. Su stated she provides advice based on her husband's guidance and her own experience, asserting that Canada's free market allows her to set her own fees.

Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland described the situation as a "Wild West" due to a significant lack of oversight in the regulation of immigration agents. He emphasized the vulnerability of individuals seeking to immigrate and the need for better protection and clearer fee structures.

Lingering Trauma and Warnings

Now back in China, the Biao family is struggling to rebuild their lives. TingTing Biao is sharing her story to warn others about similar immigration schemes. The experience has left her with lingering trauma, nightmares, and a deep sense of betrayal. Experts suggest that legislative changes and increased resources for regulatory bodies are needed to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Sources

• Price of a promise: Chinese family returns home broke after paying $40K seeking Canadian residency, CBC.

• Family who spent $40K seeking Canadian residency return to China after immigration nightmare, CBC.