Have you finally made up your mind to apply for permanent residency (PR) in Canada? and want some tips on how to best scale the process one time?
If that’s your case then you’re in luck as today we would be outlining 12 tips you should use when preparing your Canada PR application to submit to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to increase your chances of success.
Preparing for your Canada PR Application
Below outlined are the tips and they apply to all kinds of Canada PR applications, including the Express Entry program, Provincial Nominee Program, and even the Family Class program.
Tip 1: Identify what program(s) you may be eligible for
There are many immigration programs offered by Canada within its three wide categories (economic, family class, refugee & humanitarian).
Some of the aforementioned programs are points-based, while others are not. Some of the aforementioned programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while others do not.
Thirdly, some of these programs’ basic requirement is having a sponsor, while others do not. Finally, some of the aforementioned programs remain open on an ongoing basis, while others do not.
So it is paramount that you diligently research which program is the best fit for you. Are you faced with more than one option, if so, which one should you pursue? Ensure you know the pathway best for you before delving in.
- Kindly use our immigration guide to find which Canada PR route might be the best fit for you.
Tip 2: Consider getting advice and/or representation from an expert
The above step can be challenging and intimidating, and for this reason, it is crucial to note that it is very possible to fully complete the Canada PR application without any help.
However, help is always available. If you feel overwhelmed while doing the research, our recommendation is to get an experienced immigration expert.
Before doing that, please check out our guide on red flags to look out for when choosing immigration lawyers or consultants so as to avoid fraudulent experts. We also have a guide on the questions to ask before hiring an immigration expert.
Tip 3: Gather all your documents in advance, even if you haven’t been asked to submit them yet
During the course of your application for Canadian PR, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would demand from you certain documents.
These documents requested by the IRCC sometimes take lots of months to obtain. So if you wait till there is a formal request from IRCC, it might unnecessarily delay your application processing.
See: List of Documents Required For Canada Immigration Process
For some countries, obtaining police background checks can span weeks or even days before it is issued from the authorized law enforcement agency.
But on the flip side, in some countries, law enforcement agencies are quite sluggish at completing these background checks, consequently, these documents take a longer time, sometimes months before it is issued.
You might need to be thinking about other relevant documents to your application depending on your situation. Documents such as your civil status documents, work reference letters, and other PR relevant documents can take a long time to get issued.
Tip 4: Double-check to confirm
There have been times where some Canada PR applications are rejected or delayed solely because the applicant didn’t carefully read provided instructions, address certain concerns or confirm an assumption.
These applicants were not denied because they were ineligible, but this risk can be mitigated if you ask questions and read the materials provided to you over and over again, check and double-check the document checklist, and have all your concerns addressed satisfactorily by an individual who can provide answers.
Tip 5: Follow your checklist
A one size fits all approach doesn’t work when applying for Canadian PR as an applicant-specific checklist for immigrating to Canada is provided to each individual by the IRCC during the course of their Canada PR application. The applicant-specific checklist is usually based on your specific conditions and it is recommended you follow it to the latter.
Tip 6: Be complete and accurate in your Canada PR application
Remember how we told you the checklist applicant specific and designed with your unique circumstance in mind, IRCC looks forward to you providing the listed items.
In cases where completely providing all the documents is not possible, IRCC might be willing to receive your explanation as to why the documents weren’t provided (mostly in the form of an explanation letter, plus your supporting documents, if available). When writing your explanation letter, be complete, and be accurate.
Tip 7: Keep track of expiry dates
Ensure to check the expiry dates of the below-listed documents, some or all of which might be required for your Canada PR application:
- Passport
- Work permit/study permit
- Police background checks
- Bank statements
- Language test results
- Invitation to apply
- Medical assessment
In circumstances where you find it difficult to keep track of everything, kindly set up a system to keep you alerted. This would help you to stay on your feet for your application.
Tip 8: Don’t leave gaps in time
The IRCC might desire to know where you’ve been, why, and when you went there. You might also be asked to supply your detailed study and employment history.
Any gaps in time are most probably going to get noticed and questioned, and those gaps might cause delay or even worse hinder your overall Canada PR application.
So it is recommended to build a timeline of your life for the last 10 years, and ensure there are no gaps in your timeline. It can be challenging and frustrating, but it is possible.
You most likely already have a record of most of your activities through your itineraries and email archives, so that’s a great place to begin.
Pro-tip: You can also confirm those dates if you are unsure by checking the stamps in your passport.
Tip 9: Tell IRCC of any change in circumstances
If a new member has joined your family since you submitted your Canada PR application, and you want this person to accompany you, you’ve to go through the stipulated procedure with IRCC. Doesn’t matter if it’s your spouse or a newborn child.
If you changed your home address, fully Completed a higher level of education, Divorced or separated since your time of application, you’re expected to keep the IRCC updated on developments in your life while your application is been processed.
10. Never lie when pursuing permanent residence
Not even a white lie. Lies can be devastating to your chances, even when you don’t get caught instantly. Lying on your immigration application is regarded as a “misrepresentation” and this can have grave criminal consequences.
If an applicant of the Express Entry was found to have misinterpreted any information while going into the Express Entry pool, that applicant could be banned from re-entering the pool, or even worse from entering Canada, for a period of five years.
This ban is applicable to any applicant who has been caught misinterpreting information on any immigration application. For the avoidance of such grave consequences, it is crucially important to submit accurate and correct information from the beginning.
On the flip side, if a permanent resident was caught having misinterpreted information while in the process of gaining the permanent residence status, the government of Canada can choose to revoke the status if they so, please.
11. Keep copies of your documents
Irrespective of whatever type of forms you fill while applying for PR, doesn’t matter if it’s a physical or electronic form, it is advisable to keep copies of your documents and submitted forms.
Express Entry applicants can take screenshots of all the pages of their profile as they move through the process before the final submission of the actual Canada PR application.
While common-law/spousal sponsorship applicants can keep photocopies of the documents they submitted to demonstrate their relationship.
Fact is, you’d never really know when you might need to refer back to some aspect of your application. This is why it is recommended to always have it have handy copies of all those documents safely stored.
12. Communicate with others in the same position
Although underrated, this is a huge part of getting information and staying updated. At every given time right now there are roughly a few thousand other applicants in positions similar to yours, each striving to make Canada their new permanent home. To communicate with other candidates and applicants.
