Preparing PR Application after ITA - Should I seek help?

[Lyon37]

Hi All!

I am putting together my PR application these days. I am beginning to get worried that something or the other in my paperwork may be incomplete or missing or not correctly done. ECA and IELTS are pretty clear and straightforward, but I have four different Employment Reference Letters and three Police Clearance Certificates. The NOCs for my four different jobs are different, even though it is blatantly obvious to any well-informed person that I have continued to work progressively in the same line of work. Also, my primary bank accounts are in two different countries because I have lived in multiple places.

Should I consult with a lawyer to make sure that I am not submitting anything that is an easy cause for rejection? I have heard of some very strange cases of rejection, in which the officer does not think the date of the PCC is okay.

Or should I go with my gut and make a submission - I have an honest, easily verifiable application, and maybe I am just being paranoid.

What do people recommend? Do the CIC authorities reject first and ask questions later, or do they ask questions if they are uncertain about something?

Do most of you at least consult once with an Immigration Consultancy/Lawyer?

Thanks for your help/advice!!

 

[GoHaPPyCaN]

Hello Lyon,
If you don't feel peaceful, you could seek help.
If you live in Canada, there are offices that offer free immigration consultation of 20 minutes (OCISO in Ottawa for instance) and they check your application.

Otherwise, you can add a letter of explanation in your application in which you mention and clarify what you think might me an issue for an officer. Always keep in mind the officer doesn't know as much as you concerning your personal/professional life. What may seem obvious for you may not be for an officer, so a LoE may be welcome.

 

[jes_ON]

I am putting together my PR application these days. I am beginning to get worried that something or the other in my paperwork may be incomplete or missing or not correctly done.

You can review this webpage -
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/perm/express/intake-complete.asp

ECA and IELTS are pretty clear and straightforward, but I have four different Employment Reference Letters and three Police Clearance Certificates. The NOCs for my four different jobs are different, even though it is blatantly obvious to any well-informed person that I have continued to work progressively in the same line of work.

It does not matter that the NOCs are different for the different jobs. What matters is that for your main NOC, you have at least 1 year of full-time continuous employment (or the equivalent in part-time), and that your letters contain all the required information.

Also, my primary bank accounts are in two different countries because I have lived in multiple places.
Does not matter.

Should I consult with a lawyer to make sure that I am not submitting anything that is an easy cause for rejection? I have heard of some very strange cases of rejection, in which the officer does not think the date of the PCC is okay.
While it is true that IRCC sometimes makes mistakes (they are only humans after all), many applicants do not read or follow instructions well. All the info that you need to make a complete application is provided by IRCC on the website. IRCC is pretty clear about most things, including dates on PCCs. Many people obsess over things that are not required, and overlook the things that are actually required. I suppose that is only human too. But IRCC is upfront that it is your responsibility to submit a complete application.

Do the CIC authorities reject first and ask questions later, or do they ask questions if they are uncertain about something?

It depends. If the application is deemed incomplete, it is simply returned to you. If there is something about your employment, for example, that requires explaining, you often are given the chance to explain.

Do most of you at least consult once with an Immigration Consultancy/Lawyer?

I believe most people do not. However, a lot of people also have to apply more than once to get it right. Unfortunately, a lot of people consult web forums more than they do IRCC's instructions.

That being said, if you have the resources and want to pay someone to review your application so that you feel more confident, more power to you! Sadly, a lot of immigration consultants are just as likely to make mistakes as applicants, so between the cost and the lack of certainty over the value of consultants, most of us opt not to...

Ultimately, you have to rely on yourself. But a second pair of eyes is a good thing.

 

[Lyon37]

Otherwise, you can add a letter of explanation in your application in which you mention and clarify what you think might me an issue for an officer. Always keep in mind the officer doesn't know as much as you concerning your personal/professional life. What may seem obvious for you may not be for an officer, so a LoE may be welcome.

Thanks for suggesting this! I should definitely put together an LoE explaining my circumstances.

Thanks jes_On! --> Ha - I just realised that I need to schedule a medical immediately! And one is required upfront with an EE Application.

On another note, I've also realised that I am uncomfortable about three other concerns; I would appreciate any further advice:

1. I have an incredibly large travel history - like some 7-8 trips a year for 10 years and at least 3 main countries of residence - Should I really take on the task of explaining all of it, or just provide the highlights?
2. When I was in grad school, I once applied for a Canadian visit visa with incomplete documentation because I was a bit foolhardy and used to visit Canada frequently. I was declined (the only visa from any country that I have ever been declined). So, then I reapplied and was granted a visa. My rejection wasn't stamped on my passport - should I still mention it?
3. I have an education loan in deferment from College. It is in good standing, but totally unpaid. It is for less than USD 20,000, but is still a substantial liability that I am required to pay off over 10 years, beginning in 2017. Should this be a cause for concern? My solvent funds are certainly less than the amount of my loan.






2. O

 

[Wolverine17]

Thanks for suggesting this! I should definitely put together an LoE explaining my circumstances.

Thanks jes_On! --> Ha - I just realised that I need to schedule a medical immediately! And one is required upfront with an EE Application.

On another note, I've also realised that I am uncomfortable about three other concerns; I would appreciate any further advice:

1. I have an incredibly large travel history - like some 7-8 trips a year for 10 years and at least 3 main countries of residence - Should I really take on the task of explaining all of it, or just provide the highlights?
2. When I was in grad school, I once applied for a Canadian visit visa with incomplete documentation because I was a bit foolhardy and used to visit Canada frequently. I was declined (the only visa from any country that I have ever been declined). So, then I reapplied and was granted a visa. My rejection wasn't stamped on my passport - should I still mention it?
3. I have an education loan in deferment from College. It is in good standing, but totally unpaid. It is for less than USD 20,000, but is still a substantial liability that I am required to pay off over 10 years, beginning in 2017. Should this be a cause for concern? My solvent funds are certainly less than the amount of my loan.






2. O

Well i was following up with a lawyer then decided that its not worth the money,hope i took the right decision,am interested to know the answer for the travel history question you asked about.

 

[DelPiero07]

Thanks for suggesting this! I should definitely put together an LoE explaining my circumstances.

Thanks jes_On! --> Ha - I just realised that I need to schedule a medical immediately! And one is required upfront with an EE Application.

On another note, I've also realised that I am uncomfortable about three other concerns; I would appreciate any further advice:

1. I have an incredibly large travel history - like some 7-8 trips a year for 10 years and at least 3 main countries of residence - Should I really take on the task of explaining all of it, or just provide the highlights?
2. When I was in grad school, I once applied for a Canadian visit visa with incomplete documentation because I was a bit foolhardy and used to visit Canada frequently. I was declined (the only visa from any country that I have ever been declined). So, then I reapplied and was granted a visa. My rejection wasn't stamped on my passport - should I still mention it?
3. I have an education loan in deferment from College. It is in good standing, but totally unpaid. It is for less than USD 20,000, but is still a substantial liability that I am required to pay off over 10 years, beginning in 2017. Should this be a cause for concern? My solvent funds are certainly less than the amount of my loan.

2. O

1 - I would be thorough if I were you. Just know that you do not have to mention trips from one residence to another.
2 - You can mention it in the LoE, it is not a big deal as it was approved the second time.
3 - If you're doing FSW, as long as you have the funds you're fine

Cheers

 

[Wolverine17]

1 - I would be thorough if I were you. Just know that you do not have to mention trips from one residence to another.
2 - You can mention it in the LoE, it is not a big deal as it was approved the second time.
3 - If you're doing FSW, as long as you have the funds you're fine

Cheers

Hi bro i have a question that is some how related,i used to work in 2 very near countries and so used to travel a lot between the two but not for more than 48 hours i stayed,its going to be impossible to list all my trips and i believe they dont stamp in my passport each and every trip so my question is it ok or not and by travel history do i need to list every trip stamped in my passport or what?

 

[DelPiero07]

Hi bro i have a question that is some how related,i used to work in 2 very near countries and so used to travel a lot between the two but not for more than 48 hours i stayed,its going to be impossible to list all my trips and i believe they dont stamp in my passport each and every trip so my question is it ok or not and by travel history do i need to list every trip stamped in my passport or what?

Well they ask for scanned copies of all the stamps on your passport, so either write a letter of explanation regarding those trips or state them in the travel section.

 

[Wolverine17]

Well they ask for scanned copies of all the stamps on your passport, so either write a letter of explanation regarding those trips or state them in the travel section.

Thanks bro,am just getting ready for when my time comes lol

 

[DreamCanada16]

Well they ask for scanned copies of all the stamps on your passport, so either write a letter of explanation regarding those trips or state them in the travel section.

u have to give all stamps and travel history. They need all travel and dates from ur 18th birthday . i had almost similar situation and i gave details of each trip with stamp dates. Its good to give details in one go or else they will ask for schedule A or again the travel history.

all d best

 

[Wolverine17]

u have to give all stamps and travel history. They need all travel and dates from ur 18th birthday . i had almost similar situation and i gave details of each trip with stamp dates. Its good to give details in one go or else they will ask for schedule A or again the travel history.

all d best

So do you write down all the stamped trips from your passport into your travel history or even the non stamped ones because honestly its impossible for me to be able to write down the non stamped trips

 

[carbonchemist]

The instruction says that the applicant must declare all travels in the past 10 years (including biz, training, tourism, etc.) so I assume all trips must be listed out even if they are not stamped on your passport. I'm gonna give details of the first 30 trips (a max of 30 entries), and list the rest of my travels in a separate sheet and attach it to the LOE.

Some countries like US/Canada and Mexico do not have exit stamps, or Singapore has the auto-clearance for its residents (no entry or exit stamp at all), you may wanna refer to air tickets etc. US has the online I-94 where all border-crossings are recorded and available for your reference.

 

[DelPiero07]

"Provide details of any trips person XYZ has taken outside his/her country of origin or of residence in the last ten years (or since his/her 18th birthday if this was less than ten years ago). Include all trips: tourism, business, training, etc."

So even if I travel from Canada (temporary resident) to Mexico (country of origin) I still have to include it?

Ugh

 

[DelPiero07]

Answer to my question:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/travel-history-question-t394280.0.html

 

[sodapop123]

"Provide details of any trips person XYZ has taken outside his/her country of origin or of residence in the last ten years (or since his/her 18th birthday if this was less than ten years ago). Include all trips: tourism, business, training, etc."

So even if I travel from Canada (temporary resident) to Mexico (country of origin) I still have to include it?

Ugh

Answer to my question:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/travel-history-question-t394280.0.html

@ DelPiero07
Thanks for sharing this thread here.... After reading through the thread, my understanding is as follows :

if one has traveled from country of origin to country of residence (or vice-versa), they do NOT need to enter this information in travel history. Only travels to a third country need to be updated within the travel history section of ones application.

Wanted to confirm if your understanding is the same ?