The process of immigration is often daunting and confusing due to the intricacies of the application and procedure. Moreover, committing even the smallest of errors in the application process can severely hamper your chances of getting a visa approval.
Therefore, it’s prudent to enlist the services of an immigration agency to manage this process and help you avoid potential mistakes. To help you steer clear of some basic errors that could prove to be costly, Richard’s Business Immigration Corp. has put together a list of the most common mistakes people make when submitting Canadian immigration applications and how to avoid them.
1. Not paying correct or sufficient fees
Applicants often underpay for application fees, which is extremely detrimental as the application will be REFUSED (instead of returned) as incomplete. This, in turn, causes a waste of time as it will take some time until the processing officer actually gets a chance to look at the application itself and determine that it is incomplete. Secondly, applicants then have to answer “Yes” on the subsequent immigration application to questions regarding previous refusals, which further reduces their chances of approval.
2. Applying at the last minute
It is essential to be aware of Canadian immigration processing times. For temporary residents already in Canada, applying with sufficient time left on their current permit is especially important. While they can benefit from implied status provisions (the right to continue working or studying until the decision on the extension is granted), this does not apply to other government documents, such as Social Insurance Number or Health Cards. For applicants out of Canada, this risk is presented more with respect to the validity of supporting documents for their applications (such as English Language tests or Police Certificates).
3. Not including appropriate supporting documents
Immigration officers adjudicate all applications received based on a fixed set of considerations, which are often vague and subjective. Thus, including appropriate and sufficient supporting documentation is paramount to obtaining a positive decision. For example, when applying for a visitor visa (or other temporary residency requests), applicants must demonstrate the ability to support themselves and of establishment in their current home country. Thus, items such as bank statements, deeds, employment letters are expected as a bare minimum. However, this is just ONE consideration that officers assess, with multiple supporting documents per consideration to be expected.
4. Not explaining the purpose of their trip clearly
While it may be possible for certain individuals to visit Canada without a visa, applications processed at a visa post will generally be scrutinized more. Add to this that there is usually no opportunity to explain in person the purpose of your trip, or to address deficiencies in the application itself. The visa officer must be satisfied that the purpose of the trip is genuine and that the applicant will comply with all conditions imposed on their stay. This is a difficult task for any officer as well, especially considering that they are expected to render a decision based solely on the documents in front of them. So, if you are in such a situation, and just want to visit as a tourist, take some time to explain to the officer your itinerary, the locations, and sights you will visit, among others.
5. Hiring the wrong immigration consultant or lawyer
While it’s true that not all applicants have to hire an authorized representative, the benefits of doing so far outweigh the costs. The immediate apparent benefit is that the application will be correctly submitted the first time. Why risk having an application refusal on your immigration record, which may impact future Canadian immigration applications (and visa applications for other countries as well)? However, not all consultants or lawyers are the same. Finding the right balance of experience, personality fit, and fees in your consultant is difficult. Applicants should find representatives that have several years of experience in the field, and my personal preference, are representatives that have been immigrants themselves.
To avoid these and other mistakes related to immigration, reach out to Richard’s Business Immigration Corp. My team and I follow a customized approach and ensure to pay individualized attention to each and every application, thereby helping them put forth their best application. Our determination is unmatched, and we strive to assist our clients with the application process from start to finish. We offer immigration services and specialize in Canadian business immigration. Our services extend to clients across Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener, Waterloo, Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Burlington, Canada, Buffalo, United States, Hong Kong, Cape Town, Johannesburg, South Africa, and all over the world.
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