I'm seeing a lot of questions going around about the new checklist and what documents to send to the CIO.
As I read the new information, it seems that with the changes made on June 26, you now need to submit ALL the documents to the CIO, including everything requested in the specific visa office checklist for the visa office you select with your initial application. [NOTE: this does NOT apply to people who submitted their applications to the CIO before June 26, 2010] Take a look at the application instructions and the Backgrounder:
The instructions say:
"Make sure to consult the document checklist (IMM 5612) and the Visa Office specific requirements (supporting documents) for your country at:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/skilled-mission.asp to determine what documents you will need to provide. If you are not prepared to submit full documentation to the CIO do not apply now. If you do not submit a complete application with the supporting documents, your application will be returned to you."
The backgrounder explains the change
"9. Why are you eliminating the simplified application?
Since we changed to the simplified application we've noticed a significantly higher number of applicants withdraw when asked for their supporting documents, or full application. By eliminating the simplified application and asking for all the documentation at once, we will make processing more efficient. Eliminating the simplified application shaves 120 days off the total processing time, because this is the time we allowed applicants to send in their supporting documents."
(from "http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2010/2010-06-26c.asp")
Many people are specifically asking about IELTS and PCC - and yes! you need to include them. Now
1) EVERY PRINCIPAL APPLICANT must submit the language test results (even if your native language in English or French) for an accredited test (currently IELTS and CELPIP for English and TEF for French) with their application (to the CIO)
2) PCC's must be submitted for EVERY APPLICANT (principal applicant, spouse, conjugal partner, children over a certain age depending on each country - usually 18 but sometimes 16) for every country you have lived in for 6 months or more since you were 16 or 18 years old. Note also that these must be in English or French or translated by an accredited translator.
I know this seems to be a big change, but don't despair. What you need to send hasn't changed ... you just need to send it all at once. Think positive - you no longer have to wait until you get AOR from CIO and therefore this process should be faster and this way you can make sure you have everything in time (there's been many posts before from people who are looking to get extensions from 120 days which will no longer be necessary). Good luck to everyone! If you have questions, post and search the forum ... there's lots of people who are very helpful here!