Candidates with a CRS score well below recent cutoffs sometimes consider paying a large sum to a consultant or agent to secure a work permit and visa, believing it's the only way in. Group members pushed back on this.
What group members advised:- Paying a third party for a guaranteed work permit is, in most cases, a scam. Genuine work permits come from a real job offer and the standard application process — not from a fee paid to a consultant to "arrange" one.
- If you're prepared to spend a large sum (e.g. the ~25 lakh INR mentioned), consider redirecting that budget toward a legitimate study permit instead. A study route is a recognized, lawful pathway and can also build Canadian experience toward future PR options.
The practical takeaway: don't pay anyone for a "guaranteed" work permit — treat that as a red flag. If your CRS score isn't competitive yet, a genuine study permit or improving your profile (retesting for a higher CLB, gaining more experience) are the legitimate paths forward.