Videos spreading false information about Canada’s immigration rules have surfaced on TikTok and Instagram, aiming to deceive soccer fans attending the FIFA World Cup matches this summer, as per immigration and anti-fraud specialists. A study by CBC’s visual investigations team unveiled that the social media profiles linked to these videos are originating from various countries like India, Pakistan, and Canada. Videos in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi were translated independently by CBC News, exposing several misleading statements regarding entry into Canada for the global soccer event.
One video showcased screenshots from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, a Canadian passport graphic, and a waving Canadian flag accompanied by a large green checkmark. In the background, a woman speaking in Hindi propagated a common fallacy observed by CBC News, suggesting that individuals arriving in Canada on visitor visas for the World Cup can also work and stay long-term. She described it as a “golden opportunity” for those aspiring to settle in Canada.
Calgary-based immigration consultant Mandeep Lidher cautioned that such claims are typically fraudulent, targeting uninformed individuals who do not verify official requirements online. These assertions misrepresent a temporary policy from the IRCC, announced in November, which exempts specific FIFA-invited foreign nationals, like the organization’s staff and contractors, from the usual work permit regulations in Canada, experts clarified.
The IRCC emphasized to CBC News that the FIFA World Cup is not a venue to seek asylum, emphasizing that visitors must adhere to their authorized stay conditions and depart once their permitted period expires. Additionally, Lidher highlighted that there is no special visitor’s visa category for the World Cup, and standard entry protocols and assessments still apply, including financial checks, travel history scrutiny, and ensuring visitors return to their home countries without overstaying to seek asylum.
Numerous social media posts promoting FIFA-related visas were probed by CBC News, with one disappearing shortly after contact attempts. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre confirmed the surge in FIFA-related fraudulent activities, occurring around major global events, though its origin within Canada remains unverified.
Canada is gearing up to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with matches scheduled across Toronto, Vancouver, and 14 other cities in the United States and Mexico. The Canadian government is actively engaging in international campaigns to alert the public about potential scams, including efforts led by Joshua Tabah, Canada’s high commissioner for Kenya, cautioning against immigration scams targeting Kenyans interested in the World Cup. The IRCC reiterated that possessing World Cup tickets does not guarantee entry into Canada, emphasizing that border officers will make the final decision upon visitors’ arrival.
Lidher advised fans to be cautious of agents promising guaranteed entry, warning about the consequences of falsified documents leading to bans and stressing the importance of reporting scams to combat fraud. Reporting such incidents enables identifying patterns, sharing fraudulent entities, and providing actionable intelligence to investigative bodies.
