NEW IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES

New Immigration Procedures

On September 1, 2006, the Canadian Immigration authorities introduced The New Simplified Application Process for skilled worker and business class immigration.

If you are intending to immigrate to Canada, then this new process enables you to secure an early place in line. Canadian Immigration authorities now allow you to apply to immigrate to Canada by simply filing the appropriate applications and fees.

Although additional documentation will be required later, applicants will have more time to prepare the supporting documentation. This important new change should prevent applicants from having to update documents previously filed.

The supporting documentation and forms required to perfect an application remain the same as before. However they will be requested of the applicant only when the file has reached the head of the queue and is ready to be reviewed by the Visa Office. The Visa Office will provide 4 months of notice to allow applicants to submit the required supporting documentation.

It is expected that a massive number of new applications will be submitted under this new regime as the initial requirements are simplified and many applicants wish to reserve their place in the queue. As the number of the submitted applications grows, processing times will increase drastically. Therefore, it is advisable to file your application early.

The Federal government has a large backlog of Skilled Worker applications. Previously the pass mark was reduced from 75 points to 67 points in order to build up inventory. Canadian Immigration authorities vary the pass mark as a tool of controlling the number of applications. As the number of applications increase it should be anticipated that the pass mark will be raised from 67 to limit the number of new applications coming into the system. If you are thinking of applying under Skilled Worker class category, it is suggested you do it as soon as possible before the pass mark is raised.

Applicants must be forewarned, however, that applications being submitted under The New Simplified Application Process should be accompanied by a thoroughly detailed submission letter outlining the applicant's credentials within the context of all factors of assessment enumerated by the Immigration Regulations. Without any reference to the applicant's credentials, applications which previously would have been accompanied by relevant supporting documentation risk being refused.

For those who may be thinking of foregoing legal representation until they are requested to submit the full set of supporting documentation, I would say that's a bad idea. The Canadian immigration authorities warn that "you must meet all of the criteria at the time you submit your application". It would be a tragedy to wait for a long time in the queue only to discover that at the time you submitted your application you somehow fell short. Proper legal advice can prevent this as well as insuring that your application is presented in the best possible light to the Canadian Immigration authorities.