| 4.1 What
is a Canadian Immigrant Visa?
You submit your application for a Canadian
Immigrant Visa to a Canadian visa office. Every geographic
region in the world has a Canadian visa office to which
your application forms and supporting documents, along with
all applicable fees, can be submitted. Each visa office
specializes in the examination of documents from its region.
Even if there is no Canadian visa office
located in your country of residence, nonetheless your area
is the responsibility of a particular Canadian visa office.
For example, the Canadian visa office in London, England,
is not only responsible for applications from the United
Kingdom, but is also responsible for applications from other
countries such as Finland and Saudi Arabia.
Applicants under the Business Immigration
Program must submit their applications to one of nine designated
Visa Offices, which specialize in the evaluation of these
files.
If your destination is the Province of
Quebec, you must submit an application for a Canadian Immigrant
Visa and an application for a Quebec Certificate of Selection
to a Quebec Delegation in your region. This procedure is
required because Quebec has exclusive jurisdiction to select
immigrants who intend to reside in that Province
4.2 Can I apply
to a Canadian visa office which is not responsible for the
area in which I reside?
As of May 1 2003, applicants are required
to submit applications to the visa office responsible for
the jurisdiction of their permanent residence, or the region
to which they had been legally admitted for a period of
at least 1 year.
4.3 What documents
should be submitted in support of my application for permanent
residence?
Supporting documents usually include evidence
of employment, education, assets, civil status, and an absence
of criminal convictions. Each visa office has specific requirements
regarding the submission of supporting documentation. It
is advisable to seek expert guidance or instructions from
your visa office regarding the submission of supporting
documentation.
4.4 In what language must my supporting
documentation be submitted?
All supporting documentation in a language
other than English or French must be accompanied by an English
or French translation, as translated by a certified translator.
4.5 Can I transfer
my application to a different visa office after it has been
submitted?
Immigration officials are required to
transfer applications only in those cases in which doing
so would enhance Program integrity. Visa offices can refuse
to transfer a case otherwise.
4.6 How long does
the immigration process take?
The average processing time of all world-wide
visa offices is approximately 12-18 months for applications
where a selection interview is required. Depending on the
circumstances of the case, and the office at which the application
is submitted, processing time may be as short as 6 months
or as long as 42 months
5.1 Will I be interviewed
by an immigration officer?
Skilled Worker applicants for permanent
resident status may be required to attend a selection interview
with an immigration officer. Such interviews are held to
ensure the information in the application is accurate, to
verify documentation, to test language ability, and to help
applicants relocate to Canada.
Visa offices may grant certain Skilled
Worker and Family Class candidates an interview waiver,
depending on the qualifications of the applicant, the quality
of the supporting documentation, and the overall credibility
of the applicant. The likelihood of an interview waiver
varies from one visa office to another.
Almost all applicants under the Business
Immigration Program will be required to attend a selection
interview
5.2 When is the
selection interview held?
Depending on how many applications are
before yours at the visa office and which visa office has
your file, it might take as little as four months to get
an interview, or it might take as long as 30 months. Usually,
though, the selection interview takes place about two-thirds
of the way into the application process.
5.3 How
Can I Get an Interview Waiver ?
Applications which are complete in every
detail increase the chances of an interview waiver. However,
interview waivers are granted at the discretion of the immigration
officials. It is not possible to apply specifically for
a waiver. Even if an interview is waived, you may still
be called to an interview, generally for quality assurance
purposes.
6.1
Will I have to take a medical exam?
All prospective immigrants to Canada are
required to undergo medical examinations. These examinations
are intended to detect any conditions which may affect the
health of the Canadian public, or which may result in excessive
demands being placed upon the Canadian health care system.
The medical examination includes a standard
physical examination, blood tests, urine tests, and X-Rays.
6.2. Can my dependents
undergo the medical examination in another country?
The examination is given around the world
by designated medical practitioners. Regardless of the visa
office to which the application was submitted, the services
of any such practitioner may be used.
6.3 Will my non-accompanying
dependents be required to complete medical examinations?
Non-accompanying dependents are
required to undergo medical examinations, as are accompanying
dependents. If a non-accompanying dependent is unwilling
to undergo a medical examination, it may be possible to
have the individual exempted. However, such non-accompanying
dependents will not be eligible for subsequent sponsorship
as members of the family class.
|
