Canadian immigration adviser Mandeep Lidher on 19 January issued a public alert debunking social-media claims that Canada will grant a special ‘FIFA visa’ in 2026 to Indian football fans who submit emotional cover letters. There is no such immigration category—World Cup spectators must apply under the normal visitor-visa or eTA streams.(timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
The hoax is the latest in a series of schemes targeting India’s high-demand outbound market. Unscrupulous agents have been collecting fees of ₹2–3 lakh and promising ‘guaranteed’ approvals. Lidher noted that Canadian visitor-visa refusal rates for India remain elevated and that IRCC uses automated triage, making persuasive essays irrelevant if applicants lack strong financial and travel histories.
![‘FIFA visa’ is a scam, warns Canada-based consultant as bogus offers flood Punjab]()
Punjab Police’s cyber-crime unit told Global Mobility News it is monitoring at least five Telegram channels pushing the scam; victims span Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat.
Corporate mobility teams are encouraged to circulate warnings to employees planning leisure travel around the 2026 North-American World Cup. Companies risk reputational damage if staff become embroiled in fraudulent submissions.
The episode underscores the need for due diligence: only licensed RCIC/RCQI representatives should handle Canadian files, and payments should be routed through traceable channels. IRCC’s official portal remains the sole authoritative source for programme updates.
The hoax is the latest in a series of schemes targeting India’s high-demand outbound market. Unscrupulous agents have been collecting fees of ₹2–3 lakh and promising ‘guaranteed’ approvals. Lidher noted that Canadian visitor-visa refusal rates for India remain elevated and that IRCC uses automated triage, making persuasive essays irrelevant if applicants lack strong financial and travel histories.
Punjab Police’s cyber-crime unit told Global Mobility News it is monitoring at least five Telegram channels pushing the scam; victims span Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat.
Corporate mobility teams are encouraged to circulate warnings to employees planning leisure travel around the 2026 North-American World Cup. Companies risk reputational damage if staff become embroiled in fraudulent submissions.
The episode underscores the need for due diligence: only licensed RCIC/RCQI representatives should handle Canadian files, and payments should be routed through traceable channels. IRCC’s official portal remains the sole authoritative source for programme updates.
Source: The Times of India
