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Thousands of people across the world immigrate to Canada every year, and the Great North remains a top choice for those seeking a fresh start and a better future for their families. And yet, there is an equal number of applicants that never make the final cut.
Submitting an error-free and complete immigration application is more complicated than you might think and it’s one of the top reasons why applicants get rejected or asked to resubmit their applications which costs more money, time, and effort.
Ready to take the plunge and come to Canada? Increase your chances of success with our list of top six mistakes to avoid when applying to immigrate to Canada.
Top 6 Mistakes to Avoid During the Canadian Immigration Application Process
Do: Explore your immigration options
Canada has over 100 immigration and visa programs available. A few immigration programs are more popular than others, like the Express Entry immigration system, for example. This also means that it’s a more competitive route to take to Canada, and won’t be the right path for everyone with skilled work experience. It’s important to explore all your options to ensure you make the best choice that will result in a successful application.
Some immigration programs are points-based, while some are not. Some programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while some do not. Some programs require employer or family sponsorships while others require provincial or community endorsements. And some programs remain open on an ongoing basis, while some have strict deadlines.
Complete our comprehensive eligibility assessment to find which Canadian immigration route might be best for you.
Don’t: Using an unregulated immigration consultant or law firm
While it’s possible to complete a Canada permanent residency application alone, many applicants enlist the help of immigration agencies or law firms to help them navigate through the complex immigration process. It’s important to choose wisely because unfortunately, there are many fraudulent consultants and copycat agencies out there.
Only consultants that are regulated by the ICCRC may legally provide immigration services and handle your immigration application. Find out how to tell if your representative is a fraud or the real deal here.
Do: Fill in your immigration forms accurately
This may seem like a no-brainer but would it surprise you to know that it’s one of the most common mistakes applicants make when they apply to immigrate to Canada? Immigration forms are lengthy and complex and allow absolutely no room for error. You need to provide accurate information and as detailed as possible. It is, after all, the very thing that a decision about your future in Canada rests on.
Each page needs to be signed, sometimes more than once. For example, the ‘Additional Family Information form requires up to three signatures on one page. This is an easy oversight that can result in a rejected application. What’s more, you are required to write something at each section and even if you don’t know the answer to a question you must still write ‘not applicable’ or ‘NA’, otherwise, your application will be seen as incomplete and it will be returned or refused.
Where to find Canada immigration documents?
You can consult the Canadian government website to find the Canada immigration documents for your chosen immigration program. It’s important to note that residents or citizens of certain countries are required to complete additional immigration forms. For example, Residency Questionnaires are required from applicants applying to immigrate to Canada from Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.
Can you staple immigration documents for Canada?
This is a common question asked and the answer is no, don’t use staples, binders, plastic sleeves, folders, or albums to submit your application. You can attach small items such as photos and certified cheques with a paperclip. Otherwise, arrange the forms in order and leave them unbound.
Skip the hassle with your own Visa Profile Builder
As a client of CanadianVisa.org, you will get exclusive access to your own personal Visa Profile Builder that’s tailored to your immigration program and specific goals. You can easily fill in all the required forms online (no downloads, no printing, no scans) and a certified immigration specialist will review your immigration forms to ensure they are completed accurately before compiling your complete application and submitting it on your behalf.
Don’t: Failing to support essential work experience with documents
Canada’s economic immigration class has the highest immigration targets annually. The projected admissions target is set at 208,600 immigrants in 2021. This means that the majority of newcomers to Canada will receive permanent residency based on their skills and work experience.
For this reason, it’s extremely important to show enough proof to support your foreign work experience. This includes submitting a comprehensive reference letter that details the following:
- Your official job title;
- The dates of your employment;
- Your salary;
- Your average hours per week; and
- A detailed list of your employment duties
If your reference letter doesn't mention your salary, include a payslip, etc. An immigration officer will evaluate if your work experience corresponds with the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code you chose.
Not knowing how to correctly select a NOC code or combine different codes to secure the maximum amount of points for work experience is a common mistake that applicants make when applying to immigrate to Canada.
Do: Translate all documents to English or French
Some of the top source countries of immigrants to Canada don’t have English as an official language. So, it’s likely that most of their important documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates and higher education certificates are written in another language. As a rule of thumb, all documents must be translated to English or French. On top of that, you must submit your application with an affidavit from the translator you used and certified copies of the original documents.
Don’t: Let your supporting documents expire
There are a few immigration documents that have expiry dates such as police certificates (three months) and labor market impact assessments (six months). It’s important to collect your documents in such a way that they remain valid by the time you submit your immigration application and while it’s being processed. Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, David Allon, shares his tips to help you stay on top of it all.
Read more about what documents you need here.
Ace Your Canadian Visa Application the First Time
Quick Recap
- Explore all your immigration options;
- Don’t use an unregulated Canadian immigration consultant or law firm;
- Fill in your immigration forms accurately;
- Support essential work experience with documents;
- Translate all documents to English or French; and
- Don’t let your supporting documents expire
Avoiding these top six common mistakes when applying to immigrate to Canada will help you ace your application and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to living the Canadian dream. If you want help with your Canadian visa application, simply fill in the formto start your comprehensive eligibility assessment and find your perfect route to Canada with visa professionals.
