How do I act ?

[Paranzem]

Hi,
For New Brunswick immigration program, I worked with an immigration consultant. I was informed that I have to pay a deposit of 75,000 CAD and that I have to make a trip to explore the province. After 17-hour flight I was in Fredericton. We spent 5 days, we visited the Chamber of Commerce, we talked with other the people (banks, real estate agent etc .) The day of return,my the immigrant consultant informed me that t 75,000 CAD is changed. All the information that was given to me was false, the government wants 100,000 CAD and also minimum 250,000 CAD for the investment (refundable) in addition they send me a list of eligible business where I understand that my business is not authorized unfortunately.
I explained to my consultant that all these conditions are no longer appropriate. I can not invest so much money that it is a risk for me. If he would have said this case I would not think immigration ... I signed a contract (it's written non-refundable), my consultant did not do anything more it's me who did all the research, gave all the information just . I have written a thousand times to get my money back and every time I am offered another program and he does not understand that I do not have the strength to pay this money. Is it a good idea to file a complaint with ICCRC? Thank you ..

 

[russ6970]

Firstly what program did you apply to? New Brunswick Nominee? As I don't understand why you had to deposit 75k

 

[Paranzem]

Yes this is New Brunswick business acquisition/ownership program.
When investing in a business, I must: •make an eligible business investment of not less than CAD $250,000 before tax (refundable) and the 75.000CAD (now 100.000 CAD!) is a conditionally refundable deposit.Thank you for your help....)

 

[scylla]

Your consultant isn't the one holding the money - the province is holding your money. I don't know what the rules are for refunds. I would bypass your consultant and contact the province directly to find out what's possible in terms of a refund.

 

[Paranzem]

I didn't pay anything to the government yet.My consultant didn't begin to write my application form,he didn't send anything to anywhere ,he only did some reseraches ,unfortunantly he gave me wrong informations, every time and I found right informations and I gave to him..I paid only to my consultant ,I signed a contract .On the contract it's written that the fee is non refundable.But because of those conditions we could't sent our application.So,he don't want to send back my money.He did't do anything..What do you propose to do?Thanks

 

[scylla]

I didn't pay anything to the government yet.My consultant didn't begin to write my application form,he didn't send anything to anywhere ,he only did some reseraches ,unfortunantly he gave me wrong informations, every time and I found right informations and I gave to him..I paid only to my consultant ,I signed a contract .On the contract it's written that the fee is non refundable.But because of those conditions we could't sent our application.So,he don't want to send back my money.He did't do anything..What do you propose to do?Thanks

I think I understand what you're saying now. You aren't asking about the $75K - you are asking about the fee you paid your consultant. If your consultant is ICCRC registered, then you can certainly log a complaint with ICCRC.

 

[Paranzem]

Thank you very very much Scylla.
Yes ,my consultant is ICCRC registered.This is not my fault,I want back my money back because he couldn't find any solution, any right way for our application to NB nominee prrogram.it's really waste of.time and money!..ok I will complain to ICCRC....thank you one more time....

 

[Rob_TO]

Thank you very very much Scylla.
Yes ,my consultant is ICCRC registered.This is not my fault,I want back my money back because he couldn't find any solution, any right way for our application to NB nominee prrogram.it's really waste of.time and money!..ok I will complain to ICCRC....thank you one more time....

The $75K was meant to be held as a deposit to eventually go to the government I assume, not the fee to the consultant.

So what was the fee you had agreed to with the consultant? For the work he did with you, there would be some bill you need to pay even though you are no longer proceeding with the program.

 

[russ6970]

The words non-refundable are a sticking point though. If you signed a contract with that on it, it is legally binding.

 

[Rob_TO]

The words non-refundable are a sticking point though. If you signed a contract with that on it, it is legally binding.

I think it's non-refundable once you pay it to the government. There was a story in the news recently of someone that had applied under one of these investor programs with a lump sum of money paid upfront, he later died, and the government refused to pay the money back to his family as it was non-refundable.

I don't see how a consultant could demand the deposit intended to go to the government is non-refundable and paid entirely to him if the applicant decides not to pursue the program, especially if the program specifics change after any contract was signed. Depends how the contract was written exactly. OP may need to get his own lawyer to go after the consultant.

 

[Paranzem]

Thank you very much to those who replied....)

 

[Atlantico]

Thank you very much to those who replied....)

So did you get your money back?