Is Your Immigration Application Delayed?

Are you in the process of immigrating to Canada? Have you submitted your application or are preparing your own application? Whether or not you are making your own application or have hired a third party to do it for you it is important to make sure that you have a complete and accurate application package. Any mistake or missing document can create delays for government processing. 

Once your application is submitted there is really no knowing what is going on for quite some time. It is especially frustrating during the pandemic as Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada are not able to provide any accurate timeline estimates. It makes planning your next steps difficult especially if your immigration process is time sensitive.

Here are 5 most common issues with applications that create the most delays. Avoid these and your immigration application will be processed faster. 

1. Incomplete Information

This might seem obvious but you must complete all the questions in the application. Sometimes it is hard to know what you are required to enter especially if you are coming to Canada alone. Some applications have many sections regarding your family history. Just because the application may only be for you does not mean you do not need to include that information. 

Depending on your unique circumstances some areas of an application form may not require any input from you. For example: You will not need to enter your spouse/partner information if you are not married, or in a common-law relationship. You must read each section carefully and enter your details as accurately as possible. The only blank areas should be the questions which do not apply to your situation.

Keep in mind that each missing piece of information will make processing your application more difficult for the Government of Canada processing officer assigned to your file. The government will need to contact you to gather any information you missed. This can add weeks to the process as you file will get put on hold until the information is received. 
 

2. Missing Supporting Documents

Almost all immigration applications will require additional documents to ensure the accuracy of your application. Each immigration application has its own set of required documents, the documents required will also depend on you. Work permit applications will require different documents than a family sponsorship application. Each document required supports the information required by the form. A copy of your passport will help the Government of Canada processing staff ensure the accuracy of your name, country of citizenship, your ability to travel, and more.

All supporting documents must be submitted at the same time as your application. Your application could be rejected if you do not include any supporting documents. Gathering all the documents required takes time and is typically the most difficult for applicants. Any missing document will make it harder for the government to ensure you are who you say you are. 

Any request for a document will make the processing staff put your application on hold until you respond which will add days or weeks.

3. Translations 

The next problem many face is getting documents translated. Even if you have gathered all of your supporting documents required for the application they will not be accepted unless they are in English or French. Your immigration application must be in one of Canada’s official languages. This means all the documents supporting your application must be translated too. Once the document is translated you must submit the original and the translated copy; both are required.

When looking for a translator there are three factors to keep in mind: speed of translation, accuracy of translation, and certification of the translator. We typically find that most people need this done as quickly as possible. Lots of applicants forget to get their documents translated and then are in a rush. Translating your documents should be done at the very beginning of your process as it can take a long time. 

Finding a certified translator can be tricky but typically they will be able to give you the best accuracy. All certified translators can be located in or outside of Canada, and must be a member of an association in Canada or their country. However, a certified translator is not required, but if you use a non-certified translator you will need an affidavit. 

Please remember IRCC processing staff may request that your documents be translated again by another translator if they are unsure of the accuracy or if your first translation was performed by someone who is not certified.

Submitting an application without translated documents will result in the application being returned to you.

4. Reference Letters

Reference letters may seem important, but they help the Government of Canada immigration processing staff confirm your work and travel history. Your reference letters must match your work history. The dates need to be the same to prevent inconsistencies. For example if you claim that you were working for a painting company from March 2018 to January 2020, but the reference letter states February 2018 to January 2020. This will cause a problem and then delay as the processing officer will need to follow up with you and possibly your employer.

If you have a reference letter you must ensure the dates reflect the dates you were employed, the correct information about your job duties. Also if you provide a reference letter from a previous employer you must make sure that employer is willing to communicate with the processing officer. Your employer may be asked to confirm job duties, paystubs or request a job offer letter.

If your reference letter is submitted in English, but your previous employer does not speak English there will be questions about who wrote the letter and if it is real. A reference letter in another language will need to be translated and both copies provided.

5. Accidental Misrepresentation 

Typically misrepresentation happens by accident. Most people who wish to enter Canada do not purposely lie on their applications. Inconsistencies in your application or applications can cause misunderstandings and delays. If you previously submitted a work permit application and now are submitting a permanent resident application the data you enter for both need to be the same.

The biggest problems people have is that their travel/work history do not match. We also see issues with residency and work history. Oftentimes these do not match either. Were you working in Vancouver and living in Saskatoon? The processing officer will immediately wonder which is true. 

We also see issues with names. Your name on your application must match the name you use on your passport, birth certificate, or other residency documents. Each country has its own naming conventions, therefore, we see cases where the common name/nickname/moniker you use may not match your full given name. So it is important to always use your full name as it appears in your passport. 

Other areas of misrepresentation often include not disclosing proper marital status, incomplete information about family history. For example: if you are separated from your spouse and children and come to Canada on your own this does not mean you can exclude them on your application. Your family may not have any intention of joining you in Canada in the future, but you must be honest about your situation. 

To prevent delays it is important to make an immigration plan. This way you will know what to expect. Remember to do your own research. We all have friends and family who want to help but, it is very important to get immigration advice from a trusted source. Especially if you are not located in Canada.

Immigrate helps connect people who need immigration help with Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. Our team of experts can help you make a plan, review any applications you have prepared or even help you with the whole process. It all starts with a consultation.  Get the help you need when you need it. Our process is completed all online in a safe secure platform so no matter where you are in the world you can get access to Canadian experts.