New Express Entry Scam Distorting Canada’s Immigration System

(CANADA) Canada’s points-based Express Entry system is facing a growing integrity crisis in 2025 as fraud rings sell fake results for the French test that can boost Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores and fast-track invitations for permanent residency. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officials acknowledge the problem is active and under investigation, with enforcement ramping up but struggling against overseas testing gaps and increasingly sophisticated schemes.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the distortion is most visible in the French category draws, where lower cutoff scores and extra points for French proficiency have turned language results into high-priced targets.

How the fraud scheme operates

At the center of the scheme are fraudulent certificates for the TEF and TCF exams—the two approved assessments for French. Investigators say syndicates in Canada and abroad openly market “guaranteed” test outcomes for up to $4,000, arrange paid proxies to sit exams, or forge documents with help from complicit staff at certain foreign testing centers.

The mechanics are straightforward:

1. Brokers solicit clients through messaging apps and private channels.
2. They offer one of three paths:
   • A forged certificate that mimics official TEF/TCF formats.
   • A paid surrogate who takes the exam in place of the client.
   • A “legit” result arranged through corrupt staff at test centers.
3. The cost depends on the claimed score and the speed of delivery. Fraudsters advertise that a B2 or C1 level—often enough to claim strong French ability for Express Entry—can be produced without the buyer ever sitting in a test room.

Why French skills are targeted

Since 2023, IRCC has shifted more weight to French to support Francophone immigration goals. That includes awarding up to 50 extra CRS points for verified proficiency and running exclusive French category draws where candidates compete only against others with qualifying French scores.

Key points:
– French category draws typically clear at lower CRS thresholds than general rounds, increasing the value of language points.
– In 2025, French category cutoff scores peaked at 481 in August and later settled at 432 in October—swings that reflect higher demand and, officials say privately, suspected gaming of the system.
– A fraudulent French test result can be the difference between waiting years and receiving an invitation next month, especially for candidates who lack maxed-out points in other CRS factors.

Detection and enforcement challenges

IRCC relies on several tools to detect fraud:
– Random audits
– In-person interviews
– Retesting
– Document verification

However, detection remains uneven, particularly when cheating occurs outside Canada’s direct reach. IRCC’s limited enforcement authority at overseas test sites makes it harder to verify identity checks and certificate issuance processes in real time.

• In 2024, IRCC probed more than 9,000 suspected immigration fraud cases each month, leading to thousands of refusals and tens of thousands of bans. While not all cases involved French language results, the figures illustrate the size of the caseload.

Human and community impacts

The human toll is substantial. Skilled workers who studied French for years say they’re losing out to people who bought fake scores, especially in French category draws. Applicants living in French-speaking regions outside Canada describe feeling defeated after repeated rejections while watching social media ads promise “guaranteed TEF/TCF certificates” within weeks.

Settlement agencies report:
– A rise in complaints from candidates who fear the system is rewarding cheaters and punishing honest preparation.
– Employers and French-language schools facing planning and training challenges when new arrivals lack claimed language skills.

“When fake scores are common, workplaces can face miscommunication, safety issues, and lost productivity. Families who arrive without the French skills they claimed may struggle to settle in Francophone regions.”

Legal penalties and consequences

Submitting a fake French test result is misrepresentation under Canadian immigration law. Penalties include:

• Five-year ban from Canada for those found to have misrepresented.
• Potential revocation of permanent residence or citizenship obtained through fraud.
• A permanent fraud notation that harms future visa or travel attempts.

For many families, outcomes mean lost savings, disrupted careers, and children pulled from schools as removal orders take effect.

Policy responses, enforcement options, and proposed fixes

IRCC’s current enforcement actions include retesting, identity checks during interviews, and deeper document review. Policymakers and experts are considering additional measures:

Possible operational and policy fixes:
– Place moratoriums on results from flagged testing centers.
– Make in-person interviews routine for French category applicants.
– Prioritize retesting for candidates with results that exceed typical score bands by wide margins.
– Pause draws if a single large testing region shows sudden, unexplained score spikes.
– Introduce biometric checks and tighter identity protocols at test centers.
– Increase data-sharing with partner organizations that run TEF and TCF.

Expert recommendations:
– Launch a whistleblower program that protects and rewards those who expose selling rings.
– Publish regular public reporting on fraud incidents, detection rates, and sanctions to increase transparency and public trust.
– Publicize penalties (without naming victims) to deter would-be fraudsters.

VisaVerge.com emphasizes that credibility of French category draws depends on both policy and operational vetting before invitations go out and quick penalties afterward.

What genuine applicants should do now

Protect your application and avoid shortcuts:

• Use only authorized TEF/TCF testing centers.
• Avoid any service that promises “guaranteed results,” proxy test takers, or “insider” help.
• Follow IRCC’s official guidance at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements.html

If you suspect fraud:
– Report it to authorities with screenshots, names, payment details, and other records.
– Even small tips can help investigators map transnational networks.
– Seek legal advice immediately if you’ve already submitted an application with suspect documents. Withdrawing a tainted application before a decision may limit damage, but it does not erase past misrepresentation.

Be prepared for increased scrutiny:
– Expect retesting requests, extra interview questions, or short live language checks.
– Gather supporting evidence of your French level (course transcripts, employer references, proofs of study).
– Treat interviews and retests as opportunities to demonstrate genuine ability.

Outlook and final takeaways

As the crisis evolves, IRCC is likely to intensify audits in regions tied to irregular score patterns and to implement stronger front-end screening for French category draws. This may include mandatory live interviews for top-scoring candidates and targeted retesting in high-risk cohorts.

Important reminders:
– Misrepresentation is not a minor risk or a temporary loophole. It can derail careers, split families, and harm future travel prospects.
– Restoring trust will require sustained attention, better tools abroad, and clearer communication at home.

For now, the message from officials and community leaders is consistent: refuse illegal offers, report schemes, and prove your French honestly. The integrity of permanent residency selections depends on it. As of October 13, 2025, IRCC has intensified checks and is weighing further measures, but the fight continues against networks that adapt quickly and profit from desperation. Honest applicants deserve a level field; restoring that trust will require continued enforcement, policy changes, and transparency.