An Ottawa resident is among those calling for increased monitoring of Canada’s global visa centers, which are operated by a federal contractor receiving significant taxpayer funding. These calls come after reported troubling incidents at a visa center in Bangladesh, with allegations of fraudulent activities and security concerns coming to light.
Salah Uddin shared his frustrations after encountering difficulties while utilizing VFS Global’s services in Dhaka to secure visas for his family members. VFS Global manages a network of 164 visa application centers in 109 countries on behalf of the Canadian government, offering administrative services such as biometric collection and document handling for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Uddin described instances where he felt compelled to pay for premium services to expedite the visa application process, including a situation where a third-party reseller attempted to charge a substantial fee for appointments to submit passports. These activities were deemed unacceptable by Uddin, who opted to find alternative ways to submit the required documents.
In response to these concerns, a VFS spokesperson emphasized that fraudulent activities are not unique to visa services and highlighted the company’s efforts to raise awareness and prevent such incidents. IRCC acknowledged the issues raised and stated that they rigorously investigate any reports of fraud, taking measures to address exploitation of the booking system by third parties.
Internal documents obtained by CBC News revealed further deficiencies and issues at visa centers in Bangladesh and Russia, including overcharging, security screening problems, technical disruptions, and even a malware attack. Concerns were raised by Canadian officials regarding the unauthorized reselling of appointment slots by third parties in Dhaka, leading to a disruption of services for genuine applicants.
The issues extended beyond Bangladesh, as highlighted by incidents in Russia and Mexico, where operational challenges and contradictory advice from VFS Global agents were reported. Despite these challenges, VFS Global emphasized its commitment to meeting contractual obligations and enhancing security measures, while IRCC reiterated its commitment to oversight and fraud prevention.
While IRCC acknowledged the need for corrective actions against contractors failing to meet standards, it stated that VFS has fulfilled its contractual obligations. The department remains vigilant in monitoring VAC partners and is continuously working to strengthen systems to combat fraud. The current contracts with VFS and TT Visa Services are set to expire in October 2027, with a procurement process already in progress.