Lately, I’ve been getting messages and seeing posts online from people surprised after receiving a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL) from IRCC. Many of these letters are issued because applicants left out part of their employment history or didn’t fully disclose past details that they assumed were unimportant.
As someone who works in this field every single day, let me say this clearly:
When you apply to come to Canada—whether as a student, worker, or permanent resident—you have a legal and personal duty to be 100% truthful and transparent.
This is known as the duty of candour. It’s a fundamental principle in Canadian immigration law, and it applies to every detail you provide to IRCC. Failing to disclose information, even unintentionally, can lead to a finding of misrepresentation under section 40(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). That can mean your application is refused—and you’re banned from applying again for five years.
A Federal Court Case and Its Teachings: Akintunde v. Canada (2022 FC 977)
In this Federal Court case, the applicant’s permanent residence application was refused because their spouse did not disclose work as an education consultant. The business was small, not very profitable, and seemed more like a side activity. But here’s what happened:
The spouse used their credit card to pay IRCC fees for several other applicants.
In an interview, they admitted to helping at least ten people but hadn’t listed this work experience in any forms.
The spouse’s consultant claimed there were no earnings, but the spouse admitted to collecting some fees.
The visa officer determined that this contradiction raised credibility concerns. Because the work experience was not disclosed, and the spouse’s answers were vague and inconsistent, the application was refused for misrepresentation.
2022fc977What About Prior Applications?
The applicant argued that the business was disclosed in a prior work permit application. But the Court rejected that argument. It clearly stated:
“It is up to the Applicant to provide accurate information in their application. Officers do not have time to consult prior applications.”
This is an important reminder: each immigration application must stand on its own. Just because something was mentioned in a different file years ago does not mean it’s “on the record” today. If the question is relevant in the current application, you must answer it again.
What You Should Take Away
If you’re preparing to submit an application, keep these key points in mind:
Take every form seriously—read every question carefully and answer completely.
Disclose all employment—including side work, unpaid roles, or freelance consulting.
Repeat important information that was disclosed in previous applications.
When in doubt, disclose—and explain the context if necessary.
Be consistent across your forms, documents, and any statements made by your consultant or representative.
Over the years, I’ve seen how small omissions—often unintentional—can lead to devastating outcomes for applicants and their families. It’s not worth the risk.
At Verge Immigration Services, we take the time to go through your application thoroughly so that you can feel confident that everything has been declared correctly. Because in this process, transparency isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s the foundation of your future in Canada.
If you have questions or need help reviewing your immigration history, we’re here to help you.