General Issues of Selection Interview
Under the new regulations, selection standards are more objective and clearly defined. It is expected that in most cases visa officers will be able to make a decision to approve or refuse an application based on the documentation provided by the applicant without a selection interview. However, in some cases, an interview may be necessary for a number of reasons. Especially, if you do not meet the pass mark in effect and are applying under “Substitute Evaluation”, you are more likely to be called in for an interview to decide if there are reasonable grounds to exercise positive discretion
Purpose of Interview
If required, a selection interview would be conducted for several reasons:
To verify the validity and truthfulness of certain information provided on the forms and documentation submitted with the application.
To clarify any specific information and inconsistencies.
To clarify certain issues as regards to the background of the applicant and/or his/her dependents .
To verify that the applicant possesses the necessary funds to settle in Canada .
To confirm that the applicant is not inadmissible on security grounds .
To verify if there are sufficient grounds to use positive discretion, if the applicant's point total is below the current pass mark.
Under the new regulations, visa officers will no longer conduct interviews to assess an applicant's language proficiency or personal suitability for immigration purposes.
Interview Waivers
At their discretion, visa officers may approve an application for permanent residence in Canada without holding a selection interview. An interview waiver will significantly expedite the processing of the application. Usually, well-prepared applications, which are complete in every detail will increase the chances of an interview waiver.
When assessing an application under the Skilled Worker category, visa officers will consider several factors before granting an interview waiver such as:
Quality and completeness of the application forms and documents
Proof of the applicant's English and/or French language ability
The applicant's educational qualifications
The applicant's professional qualifications such as quality of his/her educational background and work experience
The applicant's potential for adaptability, resourcefulness and motivation to successfully establish himself/herself in Canada
The applicant's overall integrity and credibility
Nevertheless, a selection interview may occasionally be required for even highly qualified applicants, as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officials randomly select such applicants to test the accuracy of their interview-waiving criteria for quality assurance purposes.
Rarely, it is also possible that after an interview waiver has been granted, the visa officer may change his/her mind and require the applicant to come to the selection interview or vice versa.
Discretion of the Visa Officer
I. Positive Discretion
The visa officer can use his/her discretionary power to approve an application under the “Substitute Evaluation” provisions of the new regulations if the visa officer feels that the applicant is likely to become economically established in Canada or the applicant's point total is not a sufficient indicator of whether or not the applicant may become economically established in Canada.
II. Negative Discretion
Similarly, the new regulations also make it possible for the visa officer to refuse an application regardless of the applicant's point total where the visa officer is of the opinion that the applicant does not have the ability to economically establish himself/herself in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must attend the selection interview?
Normally, the applicant and the spouse will be required to attend the selection interview together at the same location and at the same time. However, the requirement for the spouse to attend the interview is subject to the discretion of the visa officer reviewing the file, and in some cases, it may be waived. Also, certain visa offices may require your dependent children over the age of 22 to attend the selection interview with you.
What documentation should you bring with you?
If you have to attend a selection interview, the visa office will officially inform you of the documentation you will have to bring with you. The visa office may also ask you to provide an updated version of certain documentation such as bank statements, police clearances that was previously submitted.
You are also advised to bring the originals of the previously submitted documentation to the interview such as:
Valid passports for yourself and your dependents
Original documentation verifying that you possess the necessary settlement funds in Canadian or U.S.
currency such as a bank letter or account statement
Originals of educational credentials such as diplomas, transcripts, training certificates, professional certificates, etc.
Original reference letters
Originals of any other documentation that was previously submitted such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, custody papers, adoption certificates, etc.
All communication sent to you by the visa office
Where should you attend the selection interview?
If you are required to attend an interview, the Canadian visa office will send you an Interview Notice informing you of the time, date and place of the interview in due time. Normally, the interview is held at the visa office you applied at.
When is the selection interview held?
Depending on the visa office you applied at, the number of applications on backlog and the status of your file, it might take anywhere from 6 months to 48 months to get an interview after file submission. Usually, the selection interview takes place close to the finalization of your file's assessment by the visa office in the application process.
How long does the interview last?
While the duration of the interview will depend on the specific situation of the applicant and his dependents as well as the status of his/her file, the selection interview lasts about 30 minutes on the average.
Will the visa officer let you know if your application is approved or not?
At the end of the interview, the visa officer will let you know if your visa is approved or not. If you visa is refused, the visa officer will explain why your visa is not approved.
What happens when the interview is over?
If your application is approved, the visa officer will advise you as to the forthcoming formalities and procedures towards finalizing the application process for permanent residence in Canada, such as the medical examination, payment of Right of Permanent Resident Fee, and so on.
What is a Security Interview?
In a small number of cases, an interview may be conducted to assess security issues such as counter-intelligence, espionage, subversion or terrorism. Such interviews are normally conducted after the successful completion of the selection interview, and may also be held in cases where an application is approved without a selection interview.
Interview Preparation Tips
You should prepare for the immigration interview just as you would for any job interview. To boost your confidence, practice your answers to the questions provided in the next section before the actual interview.
Here is what you should keep in mind on the day of the interview:
Your overall appearance must be neat and clean so as to leave a good impression on the visa officer. Dress professionally and comfortably, preferably in North American style clothing. Be moderate with the perfume, make–up and accessories you use.
Arrive on time, preferably a little early to get yourself organized and relax. Being on time will be interpreted as evidence of your professionalism.
Try to relax before the interview. Think of the interview as a conversation not interrogation
Always maintain an eye contact with the visa officer during the interview.
Be positive in your attitude and show self-confidence. Stay away from negative comments
Make a good impression on the visa officer by asserting yourself as the type of candidate that Canada needs
and that you have the necessary educational and professional skills to become successfully established in Canada. But do NOT be arrogant or boast about yourself or your accomplishments.
Avoid signs of nervousness or tension during the interview. Stay away from awkward movements and gesticulations or negative body language that would distract the visa officer.
Listen to the questions asked by the visa officer carefully and answer them in a clear, concise and sincere manner. Reflect briefly before answering difficult questions. If you are not sure about a particular question,
politely ask the visa officer to repeat or clarify the question.
If your wife attends the interview with you and she is asked a question, you should not attempt to answer the question on her behalf unless she does not understand English or French.
The visa officers will ask you questions about the information you previously provided with your application. Make sure that your answers are consistent with the information you provided before. Review the information and documents that you provided with your application before the interview to refresh your memory.
Be ready to produce the original of any required document when requested by the visa officer. Keep your documents in a folder in an organized manner so that you can find them easily when necessary.
The visa officer may ask you to elaborate on certain key issues pertaining to your work experience, your language skills, educational background and so on. You should fully be prepared to address the questions and concerns of the visa officer. Be prepared to provide additional documentation in support of your explanation, if necessary.
Before the interview, research the job market in Canada thoroughly. Be knowledgeable about Canada and the region you want to settle in after you immigrate to Canada.
At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for his/her time.
