How to Apply Online For Canada Immigration

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IRCC’s online system will ask a series of questions regarding your reasons and travel history before showing if or not you qualify for the visa you seek.

Filling out the online eligibility questionnaire

Whether you choose to apply through Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs, the initial step involves completing an online eligibility questionnaire.

This form collects information regarding your age, educational background, work history, family particulars, and connections to Canada.

This data is valuable in assessing your eligibility and also aids the government in identifying and prioritizing prospective candidates.

Answer the questionnaire using IRCC’s secure website or by visiting an authorized representative. If applying through PNP, your PRI will complete and submit the questionnaire on your behalf.

Though the questionnaire may seem short, it’s essential that all questions are answered accurately as incorrect answers could cause your application to be denied.

Furthermore, misrepresenting oneself on an application constitutes misrepresentation which may result in a five-year ban from future Canadian immigration applications.

Express Entry is Canada’s most widely used immigration process, selecting candidates for permanent residency based on their skills and other factors.

An electronic profile assesses your qualifications such as education, work experience, language abilities in English and French and family ties – should your qualifications meet minimum criteria, you will be invited to apply for permanent residence visa.

If you’re interested in the Express Entry system, first complete an online profile on IRCC’s website and then start filling out PDF forms according to the instruction guide for that immigration program.

When finished with all forms, digitally sign them before uploading.

If you are applying to either the Quebec Selection System or Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, in addition to your main application form you will also need to submit a supplementary form.

These supplementary forms will collect additional information about your background and your ability to integrate into Canadian society as well as verifying your identity; all supplemental forms must be filled out by both principal applicant as well as any accompanying family members.

Submitting your application

Once you have submitted an online eligibility questionnaire and met all requirements, it is time to submit your application.

You can do this either using the secure IRCC portal or for representatives, the Authorized Paid Representatives Portal (APRP).

Either way is relatively straightforward as each type of visa provides instructions.

Please be aware that providing false or misrepresented information could make the process more complex; misrepresentation can even result in a five year ban from Canada immigration applications being submitted.

If you are applying through Express Entry, an online profile must be created and submitted in order to create your application for permanent residency.

To do this, an electronic form that includes your personal data such as age, work experience, education level, language skills in French and English as well as family details must be submitted and ranked into IRCC’s pool – inviting those ranked highest to submit an application.

In order to create this profile you will require either an IRCC secure account or an APRP.

Candidates looking to immigrate to Canada may also use the Come to Canada Tool to estimate their CRS score before taking language exams and/or receiving an ECA (if your education was acquired outside of Canada).

Once sufficient points have been earned, an Invitation to Apply may be extended.

Once you receive an ITA, it is your responsibility to complete additional forms and submit supporting documents within 60 days.

It is advisable to start gathering these documents early as failure to submit necessary paperwork may delay the process significantly – so stay on top of your responsibilities!

Importantly, it’s also essential that you be aware of IRCC’s requirements for health and criminality before applying.

Your application may also not be approved if unresolved custody or support disputes exist between you and/or your spouse; should that occur, they will send a letter informing you why your application was incomplete and outlining steps for completion such as requesting medical or police records; depending on the reason of their refusal they may offer an opportunity to reapply in future.

Submitting your passport

When initiating a visa application, it is crucial to ensure that all information is well-organized. This approach enhances the efficiency of the process.

If you require assistance in comprehending the necessary information to include or navigating an online system, seeking advice from a Canadian immigration attorney is recommended.

They will provide comprehensive support throughout the application process, from inception to completion.

Once your application has been approved, it’s time to submit your passport application. There are two methods of doing this – either at a VAC or via mail; please check your country’s website to learn how the process works in detail.

When applying in person be sure to bring all required documents, as well as payment for processing fees and a prepaid Xpresspost envelope to return your passport safely.

Submission of your passport at the correct address is of utmost importance; otherwise, IRCC may not be able to return it.

Furthermore, private courier companies cannot send packages directly to IRCC and they cannot be held liable if items go missing in transit.

When writing out the address on an Xpresspost envelope using ballpoint pen on white paper this ensures your handwriting can be read clearly enough by carbon copy printing machines.

The Express Entry program was established by the Canadian government as an electronic immigration system to offer eligible applicants the chance to immigrate to Canada based on their skills and experiences.

It evaluates each candidate profile before awarding points based on various categories – those who receive more points will likely be chosen for immigration consideration.

Some provinces also operate immigration programs known as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), which recruit immigrants for specific occupations to fulfill labour needs of the country.

Often these programs aim to draw skilled workers from around the globe.

Express Entry offers an ideal solution to those wishing to relocate to Canada for work or study, with its online system asking a series of questions regarding your background, education and work history.

Once completed, this system will determine your eligibility to apply for a visa – otherwise a notification will be issued notifying of ineligibility.

Submitting your biometrics

IRCC requires that applicants provide biometrics such as fingerprints and photos as proof of identity to stay safe, resolve any potential problems more easily and to help IRCC conduct background and security checks on each individual.

Canadian government authorities recently expanded their biometric requirements, and anyone applying for a visitor visa, work or study permit, permanent residence visa, refugee status or refugee/asylum status must now submit biometrics data to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

IRCC uses this data collection process to ensure people who claim they immigrate fraudulently are being identified correctly by collecting biometric information about themselves and verifying whether or not these individuals actually live where they say they do.

If you are applying outside Canada, biometrics must be submitted at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Application Support Centre (ASC).

Travel expenses may be necessary depending on where your VAC or ASC is located; to avoid hassle, book an appointment as soon as you receive your Biometric Instruction Letter and make an appointment! IRCC recommends scheduling one as soon as possible to meet this deadline.

Starting in 2019, those applying in person will have the ability to submit their biometrics at various Service Canada locations. It is recommended to plan ahead, as you’ll only need to give your biometrics every 10 years.

When giving biometrics, ensure you bring both your passport and photo. Also remember to pay the biometrics fee at this time; it would be ideal to submit your application at this same time as paying this bill.

Plan to have all of your family members submit biometrics at once; this will save both time and money. Unfortunately, the system currently generates only one checklist; therefore if you would like to include other members, a new checklist must be manually created manually by you.

For international students in Canada, utilizing the online checklist designed for Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications can greatly contribute to a smooth application process and help avoid last-minute complications.

The Canadian government has taken steps to make the application procedure as user-friendly as possible, which should make it relatively easy for you to follow their instructions accurately.

This approach enhances the likelihood of a successful application.