The Canadian government has clarified that no special FIFA visa will allow people to settle and work in the country after several videos with misleading claims surfaced online.
Issuing the clarification, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said, “Certain videos circulating on social media are sharing misleading information about traveling to Canada during the FIFA World Cup 26. Let’s be clear: there is no ‘FIFA visa’ or special visitor visa for the World Cup that allows you to work or settle in Canada.”
It added that visitors to Canada for the tournament “are expected to respect the conditions of their stay and leave once their authorised period ends.”
What had the posts claimed?
The false posts claimed these visas, which are being issued for the football World Cup, would act as a pathway to visitors to claiming asylum in Canada.
Some of these viral videos had reportedly targeted Indians looking to travel to Canada either for employment or even to live in the country.
In fact, IRCC, earlier this month, warned against the use of third parties of obtaining the tourist visas and asked potential travellers to apply through its own website.
“Beware of immigration agents who promise entry to Canada for the FIFA World Cup 26. No one can guarantee you a visa or an eTA (electronic travel authorisation)…Make sure all your documents are accurate, or you could risk a 5-year ban,” the IRCC had said.
Immigration consultant weighs in
An immigration consultant, identified as Mandeep Lidher, based out of Jalandhar also clarified that videos claiming that Canada isn’t refusing any visitor visa and completely false.
“If you see any advertisement for a guaranteed FIFA visa…[just know that] these are scams, these videos are preying on vulnerable people,” he said.
Anyone coming to Canada to attend the games has to go through the normal checks, Lidher said. “[Authorities will look] into your ties, your finances, whether you can visit Canada and [ultimately] return to your home country,” Lidher told CBC News.
Canada along with the US and Mexico will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Canada will stage 13 games in Toronto and Vancouver from June 11 to 19.