Q1. Are all the immigration applications submitted online?
There are different categories of immigration as explained before and each category has a different method of application. Applicants for the Federal Skilled Workers, Federal Skilled Traders Class and the Canadian Experience Class must apply online through the Express Entry System. For Family Sponsorship, applications must be initiated through the (CPC) Case Processing Centre in Mississauga in the province of Ontario. Under the Provincial Nominee Program system, each province has separate guidelines where in the applications must be submitted at provincial offices and specifically for the Quebec province, there is a Quebec Experience Class program with its independent selection criteria.
Q2. Should the application contain supporting documents?
Each immigration system has its own specific rules for submission of supporting documents while applying. For the Federal Skilled Workers and the Canadian Experience Class program, all documents must be attached to application in the Express Entry System. Once online profile is created, all the documents including Language tests need to be submitted with educational credentials and certificates. Similarly, under the Family Sponsorship program all the main documents have too be accompanied by the supporting documents like Police Clearance Certificates and medical test results. For the business Investor and the Provincial category including Quebec Program as well, the supporting documents are accepted initially during application submission. Under Self-Employed, Entrepreneur or Business categories, initially only a basic form must be submitted along with the processing fees to a Canadian Visa Office in the country of citizenship of the applicant. The supporting documents relating to civil status and business management experience must be sent when requested by the Office, usually four months preceding the application assessment.
Q3. Which language of application or supporting documents are accepted?
Usually the documentation in English or French are accepted without any additional requirements however, if the applicant’s certificates or credentials are any other foreign language, then they must be translated to English or French from a certified translator.
Q4.Who can be included under the application for Permanent Resident application for Express Entry or Family Sponsorship?
The applicant’s spouse and dependent children can be included under the application. For a dependent child applicant, child must be less than 19 years of age and unmarried or if the child is above 19 years of age, they must be dependent on the applicant and must be a student at any educational institution. Canada recognizes marriages within same-sex.
Q5. What are the general supporting documents required for Permanent Residence or Family Sponsorship or PNP Program?
The applicant’s spouse and dependent children can be included under the application. For a dependent child applicant, child must be less than 19 years of age and unmarried or if the child is above 19 years of age, they must be dependent on the applicant and must be a student at any educational institution. Canada recognizes marriages within same-sex.Once the ITA-Invitation To Apply is received under the killed Worker category through Express Entry system, the applicant is required to attach the following documentation in the profile:
- Passport with Validity
- Medical Test Receipt
- Language Test Results
- Certificate of Birth
- Police Clearance Certificate (from country of citizenship and all countries of residence more than 6 months post 18 years of age)
- Work Experience Certificates
- Photographs of applicant & family members
- Educational Credential Assessment from Canadian agency
- Official transcripts from university of study for all levels
- Higher Secondary Education certificates
- Proof of family relationship
- Proof of funds from financial institution
- Documents attesting to cohabitation for 12 months or more
- Certificate of Marriage
- Travel Documents
- Document Proofs relating to Income Taxation
- Under Family Sponsorship, apart from the above, supporting documents include civil status evidence and documents attesting to the nature of relationship of members and the commitment to an undertaking of support. Under PNP, province specific documents must be submitted, applies to Quebec EC program as well.
Q6. What are the application processing times for the various Immigration processes?
The Immigration completion is a detailed scrutinized process adhering to several norms and guidelines. There is no proper timeline for each application type or each provincial program. However, there are many factors affecting application process timelines:
- Program or category under which application is processed and its relevance
- Documentation method and steps followed
- Canadian Visa Office processing the application
- Possess job offer of a Canadian organization or whether work can be found in Canada
- Require attending personal interview at a Canadian Visa Office
- Validity of proofs submitted and their authenticity