Canada
Simplified Application Process
Taken from Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has introduced a new simplified application process for federal skilled workers and business immigrants.
Beginning September 1, 2006, most Federal Economic Class applicants are only required to provide the modified application form (IMM 0008SW or IMM 0008BU) and processing fees at the time of application. Supporting documents will need to be provided only when the visa office is ready to assess the application.
Q1: Why has CIC introduced the simplified application process
for Federal Economic Class applications?
CIC is committed to client-focused service delivery. CIC recognized
that procedural changes could be made to simplify the initial application
requirements for Federal Economic Class applicants waiting to have their
applications assessed.
Q2: When did the simplified application process come into effect?
The simplified application process came into effect on September 1,
2006.
Q3: What does the new simplified application process entail?
Simplified kits and forms have been developed to guide applicants through
the new process. Applicants are required to fill out and submit a
three-page form plus the processing fees, which secures them a place
in the queue. All supporting documents are requested later, approximately
four months before the visa office is ready to assess the application.
A letter of receipt provides advice to the applicant on labour-market
preparation encouraging prospective immigrants to make maximum use of
the waiting period by, for example, enrolling in courses to upgrade their
language skills.
>> Simplified application kit: Federal
Skilled Workers
>> Simplified application kit: Business
Immigrants
Q4: What does the supporting documentation to be provided later
include?
Supporting documentation would include education documents or other
certificates attesting to the educational level, employment letters confirming
work experience, language test results, police certificates, birth and
marriage certificates, and bank statements confirming the applicant’s
funds.
Q5: Will this new simplified application process be used at
all visa offices?
Beginning September 1, 2006, the simplified application process is the norm at all visa offices except Buffalo, U.S.A. For applicants
who submit their applications in Buffalo for processing by Buffalo and
the other U.S. offices, the regular application process (supporting documents
submitted at the same time as the application form) continues to apply.
Q6: Why will the new simplified application process not be used
by Buffalo and other U.S. offices?
Buffalo and other U.S. offices mainly process applicants who currently
meet Canadian labour market needs. This means that most applicants are
already in Canada and have some type of arranged employment. The regular
application process continues to apply since, by policy, these applicants
are processed on a priority basis.
Q7: Can a foreigner living in the United States who has legal
status submit a simplified application?
No. Since Buffalo continues to use the regular application process,
American citizens and other residents of the United States must submit
a full application to our visa office in Buffalo, which will then forward
it to the visa office closest to the applicant’s residence.
Q8: If I am using the Simplified Application Process, do I have
to notify the visa office if I change jobs?
No. You only have to notify us if you get a new address (postal or e-mail)
or hire a new immigration representative, or if you want to withdraw your application.
You do not have to notify us of any other changes until the visa office
contacts you (about four months before the office is ready to assess
your application).
Q9: I have already submitted my application. Do I have to start
over?
No. Applications that were already submitted will be processed
as usual. Full applications received after the September 1 implementation date are accepted, but the supporting documents will be returned to the applicant
until the visa office requests them.
Q10: Why do you return the supporting documents?
The simplified application process is intended to help clients by eliminating
the burden of continuously having to submit documents while in the queue.
It also allows CIC to save duplication of work as well as storage
space. In addition, given application processing times, most documents
will have to be updated if the applicant’s situation changes (e.g.
marital status, job, education, and financial situation).
Q11: I have been nominated under a province’s immigration
program. Do I submit a simplified application?
No. Individuals applying under a Provincial Nomination Program do not
submit a simplified application since these applications are processed
on a priority basis.
Q12: Will my processing fees be reimbursed if I decide to withdraw
my application?
Yes. If you contact the visa office before they contact you (i.e. before
the assessment of your application begins), you will be reimbursed.
Q13: Will this initiative reduce processing times?
No. The simplified application process however reduces the amount
of information applicants need to submit when they apply while still
securing them a place in the queue, and they do not have to send supporting
documents twice.
Q14: I have just taken a language proficiency test at a designated organization (such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)). Can I submit the results now?
If you apply after September 1, 2006, (under the simplified application process) no supporting documents are accepted at the outset. Please only submit your language test results once you have been asked by the visa office to submit supporting documentation. Any documents submitted prior to this will be returned. If you take the language test within one year of submitting your simplified application, those results remain valid and will be accepted as supporting documentation by the visa office.