Many people wish to immigrate to Canada for a better lifestyle, promising employment opportunities, excellent education, and fulfilling life for their future generations. Canada is also a safe place for new immigrants as it welcomes people from varied backgrounds and grants them permanent residency without any discrimination. So, if you are ready to become a Canada PR visa holder in 2022, here are some tips you must keep in mind for a successful and hassle-free immigration process.
The tips apply to all types of migration programs in Canada, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and Family Sponsorship.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT IMMIGRATION PROGRAM
It all starts with choosing the right immigration program. Canada offers several immigration pathways for skilled workers under three broad categories- Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class. Apart from this, Canada has many visa programs for family class and refugee and humanitarian class applicants. Some programs follow a points-based system to invite applicants, whereas some don’t. Some programs require applicants to have an occupation-in demand, while some need a prior job offer or connection in a specific province.
Prospective applicants need to select the right program based on their profile, eligibility, and interest. Make sure you know the best pathway for you before diving into the process.
GET HELP FROM AN RCIC REGISTERED IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT
Becoming a Canadian permanent resident seems fascinating. But do you know how complicated it can be if things go haywire? Each step is crucial, and even the slightest mistake may result in rejection. In that case, it makes sense to get help from a professional immigration consultant. Having an RCIC registered consultant on board will multiply your chances for a smooth visa process. RCIC consultants have legally authorized representatives with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). They specialize in giving immigration assistance to people seeking to relocate to Canada. A consultant will handle your entire Canada PR visa application and guide you through a hassle-free process from start to finish.
ARRANGE YOUR DOCUMENTS IN ADVANCE
You will need to submit many documents during your permanent residency process. Make sure you arrange all of them in advance to avoid delays. You can check the document checklist from the government of Canada website and proceed accordingly. IRCC may also ask you to submit additional documents in favour of your application, so be ready for that as well.
Also, each program has its documentation requirements and submission deadline; make sure you read about that on the website. For example- Express Entry Program, you have 60 days to submit your PR visa application. It might sound like you have enough days to gather your documents, but in reality, it’s not. Many applicants fail to arrange documents due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, it is essential to plan your documents well to remain one-step ahead in the process.
DRAFT AN ACCURATE AND COMPLETE APPLICATION
Since you have the checklist in advance, the immigration authorities in Canada expect you to provide a complete application with all documents as listed. If you fail to submit any paper in any case, IRCC will be open to hearing an explanation from you. But the reason should sound valid and genuine. However, it is always advisable to provide sufficient information to strengthen your application and justify why you could not submit a particular document.
NEVER LIE OR PROVIDE FALSE INFORMATION
Never lie on your Canada PR visa application, no matter how tempting it may sound. Lying or submitting inaccurate information will jeopardize your chances of immigrating to Canada. IRCC considers lying as ‘misrepresentation,’ resulting in a five-year ban from entering Canada. Please note that it takes around 12 months for the IRCC to process visa applications because they undergo a thorough evaluation and review by immigration officers.
DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR APPLICATION
IRCC rejects some applications not because they are ineligible, but the applicant did not read the instructions carefully. Therefore, reading all instructions and filling the missing gaps is imperative. You can either double-check the documents by yourself, or you can take help from your immigration consultant to ensure an error-free application.
BE READY TO EXPLAIN THE GAPS IN YOUR PROFILE
In some situations, IRCC may request you explain a specific gap in your profile. The officers might ask you to present your work experience or study history gaps. Gaps are easily noticed and sometimes hinder your Canada PR application. Explaining gaps is a challenging task, but it’s not impossible. You need to unearth all the activities you did during the gap year and submit them to IRCC.
KNOW ABOUT EXPIRY DATES OF DOCUMENTS
It is essential to keep track of the expiry dates of all documents you will need during your PR visa application. You can set reminders or mark your calendars to keep track of all documents. Learn about the expiry dates of different steps to help you plan your immigration journey efficiently.
Follow Program regulations
It is critical to thoroughly understand the visa guidelines and regulations for your visa, work permit, or PR visa application. Violating even a small requirement can delay the visa process and cause a direct rejection in the worst circumstances. So, make sure you understand all the visa program requirements and then proceed accordingly.
GET PROFESSIONAL HELP
The immigration process for Canada can be daunting sometimes and even confusing. Trying the ‘do it yourself’ approach may do more harm than good, especially when you are utterly clueless about the process. It often ends up with missing vital papers, technical glitches, and other minor issues. Working with a skilled and professional immigration consultant will maximize your chances for a smooth immigration journey with fewer worries and more satisfying outcomes.
The Author is President and Founder, Abhinav Immigration Services Private Limited