I saw a job posting last week from a "Canadian tech company" offering a full-time role with a salary over $75K. Sounds great—except they asked me to pay $800 upfront for “visa processing and work permit support.” My gut said no. I’ve read about these scams, but seeing it in real time still stung.

Real Canadian employers *never* ask foreign workers to pay for job offers, LMIA processing, or work permits. That’s a hard red flag. I checked the company’s website—no physical address, only a generic email like @gmail.com. The interview was via WhatsApp, not Zoom or Microsoft Teams. I’ve since verified their registration through the provincial business registry, and nothing came up.

Here’s what I’m still unsure about:

1. How can I confirm if a company is truly registered in my target province (e.g., Ontario vs. BC)?

2. If a recruiter says they’re “handling everything,” including the LMIA, is that even possible?

3. Should I report these fake offers to IRCC, or is there a better channel?

4. What are the real risks if I accidentally shared my passport or bank details with one of these recruiters?

I know it’s hard when you’re desperate to move to Canada, especially with PR wait times stretching years. Scammers prey on that hope. But a genuine offer should hold up under scrutiny—company details, wage fairness, hiring process, and document verification.

If you’ve been contacted by a “Canadian employer” asking for money, please share your experience.

👉 Let me know your province, your current status (e.g., student, work permit holder, applying for PR), and when you were contacted.

⚠️ No passport numbers, UCI, bank info, or full names—keep it safe. We’re all in this together, and your story could help someone avoid the same trap.