Heron Law Featured in CBC News Investigation Into Fraud, Delays, and Security Concerns at Canada’s Overseas Visa Centres. To learn more about this article, visit: 3rd-party fraud, security risks flagged in some Canadian visa hubs abroad: internal records | CBC News
Could Your Visa Application Be at Risk?
What should be a straightforward step toward starting a life in Canada is, for many applicants, becoming a source of confusion, delays, and unexpected costs long before their immigration file is even reviewed.
Heron Law Offices was featured in a CBC News investigation examining serious concerns at Canada’s overseas Visa Application Centres (VACs), where applicants report access barriers and questionable practices affecting their ability to move forward in the immigration process.
The CBC investigation, reported by journalist Priscilla Ki Sun Hwang, highlighted allegations involving appointment reselling, third-party fraud, pressure to pay premium fees, and data security concerns within VAC operations. Many of these centres are operated by VFS Global on behalf of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What Are Visa Application Centres (VACs) Supposed to Do?
Visa Application Centres (VACs) are intended to support Canada’s immigration system by collecting biometrics, receiving application documents, and coordinating passport submission.
However, for many applicants abroad, these centres have become a critical bottleneck that can determine whether deadlines are met or applications are delayed.
A Canadian pointing to a screenshot of a chat he had with a third-party reseller who was quoting him about $20,000 Bangladeshi takas per person in 2024 (about $250 Canadian dollars at the time) to get an appointment to submit documents. Credit: CBC News, Jacob Taillefer Racine/Radio-Canada
Concerns Identified in the CBC Investigation
The report referenced internal government documents pointing to issues such as appointment “block-booking,” technical outages, and potential security vulnerabilities.
One internal remark obtained by CBC stated that “We could write a novel about all the fraud we are seeing,” highlighting the systemic challenges affecting access to immigration services abroad.
Legal Perspective From Heron Law
Heron Law’s Karina Juma told CBC that these challenges are not isolated and continue to affect applicants across multiple countries. She explained that:
- Applicants sometimes receive conflicting or incorrect instructions at VACs.
- These issues create delays and additional stress in time-sensitive applications.
- Many problems are only discovered through client experiences, not formal oversight channels
In one case involving a client in Mexico, VAC instructions reportedly conflicted with legal advice already provided, further complicating the application process. Karina stated that “these issues are still very prevalent today,” and emphasized how “it’s not just one center, it’s multiple centers in multiple countries… and it will continue to happen until IRCC takes further action.”
A map showing Canada’s international visa centre network as of Dec. 1, 2020. Credit: CBC News, Government of Canada
Scale of the VAC System
The CBC investigation also noted that the VFS Global operates 164 VACs, these centres are spread across 109 countries and that contracts exceed $770 million CAD since 2012. This illustrates the global scale of outsourced immigration processing infrastructure supporting Canada’s visa system.
Response From VFS Global
In response to the allegations, VFS Global stated that their centres are regularly audited, all staff undergo background checks, fraud prevention systems are in place and that premium services are optional. Despite these assurances, concerns remain among immigration professionals regarding whether current oversight is sufficient to ensure consistent and fair access globally.
Heron Law’s Position and Ongoing Advocacy
Heron Law continues to advocate for stronger accountability in overseas visa processing, clearer oversight of third-party service providers, and meaningful transparency in how immigration services are delivered abroad. These issues are not administrative details, they directly affect access to Canada’s immigration system and the fairness of outcomes for applicants worldwide.
Individuals affected by delays, access barriers, or procedural uncertainty in Canada’s immigration system may benefit from legal advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
Heron Law Offices provides consultations on a wide range of immigration matters, including overseas processing issues, refusals, and complex applications.
If you have questions regarding your Visa application or the VFS Global, contact Heron Law Offices today to speak with one of our qualified lawyers.
Meet the lawyer, Karina.
Karina Juma (she/her) articled at Heron Law Offices and was called to the bar in British Columbia in May 2025. During articling, Karina gained experience in a variety of immigration matters, including judicial review, inadmissibility matters, procedural fairness letters, temporary and permanent residence applications, immigration appeals, reconsideration requests, and CBSA enforcement actions.
She completed her Master of Arts in International Affairs at Carleton University, specializing in Health, Displacement, and Humanitarian Policy, and simultaneously earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa in June 2024, with Magna Cum Laude distinction. She maintained a high level of academic excellence throughout her law studies.