What is marriage of convenience?

A marriage of convenience is a marriage contracted for reasons other than love and commitment. Historically, a marriage of convenience was used to describe a marriage used to gain an immigration advantage. Even nowadays it has been observed that people get marry just to let the sponsored spouse or partner immigrate to Canada.

If caught, what are the repercussions one has to face?

Some people think marriage to a Canadian citizen will be their ticket to Canada but false marriage will have following consequences: –

• Your visa will be refused
• Visa officer may impose a ban of 5 years and this will stay on your immigration record forever.
• There may be a legal action against you
• You may get deported from Canada

So, it is really important to think carefully before marrying someone and sponsoring them to Canada. Even if your marriage or relationship fails then also you have to give your sponsored spouse the financial support for 3 years. Sponsorship is basically a legal contract with the Government of Canada. If your spouse uses social assistance, you will have to repay the amount taken. Also, it is impossible to sponsor someone else until all the debt has been repaid.

So, kindly be double sure as marriage of convenience is a crime and immigration officers are well- trained to recognize real immigration applications and can easily detect false marriages.