Top 10 Mistakes That Delay Your Canada Immigration Application

Since our establishment in 1995, we have seen our fair share of rejected Canadian Immigration Applications. Some of these rejections are due to avoidable errors that we’re going to tackle in this article.

Although you can reapply, depending on the circumstances under which your application was rejected, it would be better to get it right the first time. This will save you time and money.

Here’re the top 10 Canada immigration application mistakes:

1)     Wrong Fee Payment

Depending on the services you’re paying for and your current location, several payment methods are acceptable. These may include online payment, certified cheque, bank draft, and money order, among other payment methods.

If you use the wrong payment method during your application, for example, a bank draft instead of online payment, the money will be refunded to you, creating delays in your application.

When making payments using your local currency, make sure you check the immigration website for the right conversion rate. This ensures that you pay the right amount of fee.

Be cautious when paying your fee. Make sure you pay the right amount, and you use the required payment method to avert delays.

2)     Signing Application Forms Incorrectly

This is one of the most common errors made when completing the Canada Immigration forms. Some applicants miss some sections of the application forms that require signatures. This can be frustrating as the application form will be returned to you, creating significant delays (weeks or even months).

Other applicants sign parts of the form that should only be signed if that section applies. For example, there’s a section that should only be signed if you used a translator. If you sign this section and you didn’t use a translator, your application form will be returned to you.

Make sure you sign your all application forms correctly to avoid delays or even rejection of your application.

3)     Submitting only the Documents Listed on the Checklist

The documents required by the IRCC vary depending on each type of application. Although it looks reasonable to provide only the documentations stated on their checklist, they may not be enough to support your case.

A good example is a letter from a relative living in Canada, offering you accommodation until you get settled in. Such a letter provides helpful evidence to support and advance your application.

It is therefore advisable to provide as many relevant documents as possible, depending on your case, to help increase the chances of a fair outcome. Records such as bank records, phone records, text messages, and many others can be advantageous depending on the nature of your case. 

4)     Lack of Affidavits to Support Your Application

An affidavit from friends or family members is one of the best evidence to support your immigration application. Unlike a letter, an affidavit is much more powerful as it bears legal consequences if you provide false information. This means that the information provided is much more trustworthy and competent evidence to boost your application.

For example, you can provide affidavits from family and friends confirming your claims of relations to your country.

Failing to provide affidavits from people affirming specific claims in your application can make it less persuasive, and it can lead to rejection.

5)     Submitting Photos of The Wrong Size

The IRCC provides precise instructions on the size of photos that should be attached to particular immigration application forms. The size requested by IRCC is specific to ensure that the picture fits well on a particular form.

If you attach the incorrect sizes of photos, the application form will be returned to you, costing you more time and money.

6)     Not Including Supplemental Forms Required For Specific Countries

The IRCC requires citizens of certain countries to submit supplementary forms with their immigration application forms. Some of these forms include Residency Questionnaires (United Arab Emirates) and Education/ Work Experience Questionnaires (Pakistan).

Although this may not be straightforward on the immigration application forms, failure to provide the additional forms required for individual countries will lead to serious delays in your application.

Make sure you check and attach all the necessary supplementary forms for a faster and smoother application process.

7)     Failing to Submit a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a way to introduce the applicant and a chance to state the main reasons for your immigration application and why you qualify for immigration. It makes it easier for the case officer to review your application as it provides most of the necessary information.

Even if a cover letter is not necessary when applying for immigration, the mere lack of it may lead to substantial delays in the processing of your application.

Always ensure that you attach a detailed cover letter with emphasis on your qualifications to migrate to Canada as per the immigration law and policies.

8)     Handwriting Your Application Forms

Immigration application forms can be filled online or downloaded and completed on a computer. This has many benefits compared to printing out the forms and filling in the information by hand.

Handwritten forms may be illegible to the case officer, which means that it will be returned to you. When you complete the forms with your computer, they remain legible, making it easier for the officer to review.

When you complete your forms by hand, you cannot update them when necessary. With a computer, you can store your application forms and print or update them if needed.

Handwritten forms are also time-consuming to process, which creates delays.

It's, therefore, in your best interest not to complete your application forms by hand, as this will create delays.

9)     Submitting Wrong Information/ Failing to Explain Missing Information

The IRCC requires all the information provided during your immigration application to be honest. This is because it uses this information to weigh your application. The provision of false information is a serious crime that can lead to the rejection of your application and up to two years of exclusion from Canada.

Misinformation can even include simple errors made during your application. Review your application thoroughly to avert delays, rejection, or exclusion.

If you fail to provide any information required by IRCC when submitting your application forms, be sure to thoroughly explain why it's missing and when you'll avail it. Failure to do so will lead to the application forms being sent back to you, creating major delays.

10) Mailing Your Application

It’s very common, and frustrating, for mail to get lost. This is why you should only use courier services or registered mail if you send your application forms via mail. This way, you can track your application forms and ensure that they arrive at IRCC fast averting delays.

Applying for immigration to Canada is complicated, and it can be challenging. By avoiding the above mistakes, you increase the chances of your application going through. The chances of success are even higher if you utilize the services of an immigration lawyer.