Helpful Hints
Provincial Nominee and Quebec Skilled Worker Applications Submitted to the Buffalo Regional Program Centre
Securely staple the cost recovery cheque to the bottom front page of the application form (IMM 0008 Generic) so that it can be easily seen when the application package is opened.
Place immigration photos in an envelope and staple the envelope to the second page of the application being careful not to put a staple through the photos.
Do not use binders, page protectors, report covers, or excessive paperclips to divide the documents. If the application contains numerous supporting documents, hold them together with a rubber band.
Make sure that application forms have been signed.
A - Application package
Arrange the submitted documents in this order:
IMM 0008 Generic (Application for Permanent Residence in Canada) with fee attached
IMM 0008 Schedule 1 (Background/Declaration) for principal applicant
IMM 0008 Schedule 4 (Intent to reside declaration for Provincial Nominees)
or
IMM 0008 Schedule 5 (Intent to reside declaration for Quebec Skilled Workers)
IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information) for principal applicant
IMM 0008 Schedule 1 (Background/Declaration) for spouse and children aged 18 and over
IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information) for spouse and children aged 18 and over
Copies of bio data pages of passports for principal applicant and dependents
IMM 5476 (Use of a representative form) If a representative has been appointed
B - Supporting Documents
Representative covering letter if a representative has been appointed.
Copies of identity documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce and custody documents)
Police certificates from each country or territory where you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18.
State police certificates
National police certificates
Provincial Nominee Certificate (for Provincial Nominees)
or
Certificat de sélection du Québec, CSQ (for Quebec Skilled Workers)
To avoid having the application package returned:
Regulation 12 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations states that if certain requirements are not met, the application and all documents submitted in support of the application shall be returned to the applicant.
Be sure to submit the processing fee in the correct amount.
Complete the sections of the application regarding Membership or association with organizations, Government positions and Military service. If you had no such memberships or associations, write "Not Applicable" or "N/A" in the space provided. Do not leave these sections blank.
Show your complete personal history since age 18, leaving no time period unaccounted for when showing employment/educational history and residential history.
Provide proof of one year lawful admission to the USA, Canada, Bermuda, or St. Pierre et Miquelon. This could be in the form of an entry stamp in your passport or a status document issued at the Port of Entry or other place of admission. If an extension of the original status has been granted, the evidence required would be a document or stamp issued by the ministry responsible for immigration matters, providing an extension up to one year or beyond.
To avoid delays in processing:
Provide a detailed explanation if any of the questions in Section 9 of IMM 0008 Schedule 1 were answered "yes".
Provide detailed statement, in applicant's (or dependent's) own words, concerning any criminal charges or immigration enforcement actions against applicant or dependents.
Attach a statement with details for any out of the ordinary situations regarding marital status or dependents; such as:
separated/ estranged from spouse;
custody of children;
multiple marriages/divorces;
Clearly indicate whether dependants will be accompanying the principal applicant to Canada (anyone age 18 or over requires criminal and security screening whether they are accompanying or not).
Clearly show the principal applicant's full name, date of birth, and file number on any documents or information submitted subsequent to the original submission.
Immigration Cost Recovery in Buffalo
Submitting the fee:
Do not do your own rate conversion when submitting the fee. Determine the currency with which you will be paying, then submit the fee exactly as indicated on the fee schedule for that currency.
Fees must be made payable to the "Canadian Consulate General".
Fee must be submitted in Canadian or US dollars only. No other currency will be accepted.
Fees submitted in US dollars must be drawn on a US bank.
Fees submitted in Canadian dollars must be drawn on a Canadian bank.
The entire fee must be submitted in one currency; do not send part of the fee in US dollars and part in Canadian dollars.
The fee payment must be dated not more than 90 days from the date of application submission.
We will accept:
Money Orders
Postal Money Orders
Cashiers/Certified Cheques
Bank Drafts
We will NOT/NOT accept:
Cash
Personal Cheques
Credit Cards
Receipts for fees paid in Canada
Receipts for on-line payments
Fees in amounts other than those shown in the Fee Schedule
Please note: Fees are subject to change without notice; refer to the fee schedule for correct fees.
Note: All fees for family class applicants must be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario using the official fee receipt (IMM5401).
Refunds
Processing Fees are Non-refundable:
The Department of Citizenship and Immigration charges fees to partially recover the cost of providing some of these services to the public. Since the processing fee helps defray the cost of processing your application it cannot be refunded even if your application is unsuccessful or you withdraw your application before it has been concluded.
Right of Permanent Residence Fees are Refundable:
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) is paid for the right to obtain permanent resident status in Canada. The fee is partial compensation for the many benefits and privileges that permanent resident status confers. This fee will be refunded for unsuccessful immigrant applications or for those who withdraw their applications or otherwise abandon immigration to Canada before the visa has been used. Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds are issued by the office that concluded your application. Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds for all Family Class applications are issued by the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
The Canadian Consulate General issues Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds in the form of a U.S. dollar cheque, made payable to the principal applicant. There are no exceptions