TingTing Biao recounts the moment she discovered that she had lost everything, including tens of thousands of dollars in savings, due to an immigration scam that left her destitute and emotionally scarred. All she could provide her child was a donated loaf of bread. “My daughter eats only one meal a day,” Biao shared during an interview in Saskatoon in August.
Instead of starting anew in Canada, Biao now finds herself back in China, cautioning others about her harrowing experience—a dream that morphed into a nightmare. In January, Biao and her husband entered Canada on tourist visas with their six-year-old daughter, aiming to explore permanent relocation possibilities.
She entered into a contract with Jun Su and June HR Solutions in Saskatoon, guided by the belief that a Chinese agent would be trustworthy. Su, providing immigration advice, presented a seemingly clear pathway to permanent residency but at an exorbitant cost of up to $110,000. Biao paid $40,000 before discontinuing the arrangement.
According to an expert consulted by CBC, the typical cost of hiring an immigration consultant for a process akin to Biao’s ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. Su, however, is not a licensed immigration consultant. The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) stipulates that unauthorized individuals offering Canadian immigration advice for a fee are deemed unauthorized practitioners.
Biao’s contract with June HR Solutions, reviewed by CBC, detailed payments totaling $110,000 linked to various immigration steps culminating in permanent residency. While consultants are mandated to set “fair and reasonable fees,” the CICC does not specify exact amounts or monitor agents’ charges.
Biao parted with $20,000 upon signing the contract and another $20,000 after a successful labor market impact assessment (LMIA). Although Biao secured a positive assessment for a kitchen helper role, it was deemed inadequate for Saskatchewan’s permanent residency track at the time, as per an expert’s evaluation.
Subsequently, Biao’s work permit application was denied by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, citing concerns about her intent to depart Canada post the temporary work permit, inconsistencies in her application details, and an unclear purpose of visit. Su then proposed a costlier alternative—investing $100,000 in a business in the N.W.T. outside Yellowknife to qualify for an investment visa, a route requiring a minimum net worth of $250,000, English proficiency (CLB 4), and business experience, none of which Biao possessed.
Realizing her limited options, Biao decided to terminate the contract upon comprehending that her savings had evaporated, and her Canadian aspirations were dashed. Her resources depleted, she was compelled to return to China.
Most of Biao’s communications transpired with Su, an unregulated immigration consultant. WeChat conversations reviewed by CBC depicted Su dispensing instructions and immigration advice to Biao over several months. Although one licensed consultant, Zheng Tao Liu, is associated with June HR Solutions Inc., Su’s husband, Su misrepresented Liu as a lawyer, despite his lack of authorization to practice law in Saskatchewan.
Su declined an on-camera interview with CBC but refuted Biao’s claims via email, asserting that she assists her licensed consultant husband in providing advice based on her experience. She maintained that setting fees in Canada’s free market is within her prerogative, emphasizing that Biao had agreed to the pricing during the contract signing.
Richard Kurland, an immigration lawyer with four decades of experience, scrutinized Biao’s case, highlighting the broader issue of inadequate oversight in regulating immigration agents. Kurland underscored the vulnerability of immigrants to unscrupulous practices and emphasized the imperative of safeguarding them.
Biao’s saga underscores the imperative of enhancing oversight to curb malpractice and protect vulnerable immigrants. Kurland emphasized that enacting pending legislation, disclosing typical fee ranges, bolstering regulatory bodies, and conducting random audits are vital steps in safeguarding newcomers.
Returning to China, Biao grapples with the aftermath of her ordeal, striving to rebuild her life after losing her entire savings. She remains haunted by the experience, sharing her story to forewarn other foreign nationals and newcomers against falling prey to similar schemes. Nightmares from the ordeal persist, underscoring the lasting trauma inflicted upon her and her family.