Simplified Application Process FAQs
- Why has CIC introduced the simplified application process for Federal Economic Class applications?
- When did the simplified application process come into effect?
- What does the new simplified application process entail?
- What does the supporting documentation to be provided later include?
- Will this new simplified application process be used at all visa offices?
- Why will the new simplified application process not be used by Buffalo and other U.S. offices?
- Can a foreigner living in the United States who has legal status submit a simplified application?
- If I am using the Simplified Application Process, do I have to notify the visa office if I change jobs?
- I have already submitted my application. Do I have to start over?
- Why do you return the supporting documents?
- I have been nominated under a province's immigration program. Do I submit a simplified application?
- Will my processing fees be reimbursed if I decide to withdraw my application?
- Will this initiative reduce processing times?
- I have just taken a language proficiency test at a designated organization (such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the Test d'�valuation de fran�ais (TEF)). Can I submit the results now?
Q1: Why has CIC introduced the simplified application process for Federal Economic Class applications?
CIC is committed to client-focused service delivery. CIC recognized that procedural changes could be made to simplify the initial application requirements for Federal Economic Class applicants waiting to have their applications assessed.
Q2: When did the simplified application process come into effect?
The simplified application process came into effect on September 1, 2006.
Q3: What does the new simplified application process entail?
Simplified kits and forms have been developed to guide applicants through the new process. Applicants are required to fill out and submit a three-page form plus the processing fees, which secures them a place in the queue. All supporting documents are requested later, approximately four months before the visa office is ready to assess the application. A letter of receipt provides advice to the applicant on labour-market preparation encouraging prospective immigrants to make maximum use of the waiting period by, for example, enrolling in courses to upgrade their language skills.
>> Simplified application kit: Federal Skilled Workers
>> Simplified application kit: Business Immigrants
Q4: What does the supporting documentation to be provided later include?
Supporting documentation would include education documents or other certificates attesting to the educational level, employment letters confirming work experience, language test results, police certificates, birth and marriage certificates, and bank statements confirming the applicant's funds.
Q5: Will this new simplified application process be used at all visa offices?
Beginning September 1, 2006, the simplified application process is the norm at all visa offices except Buffalo, U.S.A. For applicants who submit their applications in Buffalo for processing by Buffalo and the other U.S. offices, the regular application process (supporting documents submitted at the same time as the application form) continues to apply.
Q6: Why will the new simplified application process not be used by Buffalo and other U.S. offices?
Buffalo and other U.S. offices mainly process applicants who currently meet Canadian labour market needs. This means that most applicants are already in Canada and have some type of arranged employment. The regular application process continues to apply since, by policy, these applicants are processed on a priority basis.
Q7: Can a foreigner living in the United States who has legal status submit a simplified application?
No. Since Buffalo continues to use the regular application process, American citizens and other residents of the United States must submit a full application to our visa office in Buffalo, which will then forward it to the visa office closest to the applicant's residence.
Q8: If I am using the Simplified Application Process, do I have to notify the visa office if I change jobs?
No. You only have to notify us if you get a new address (postal or e-mail) or hire a new immigration representative, or if you want to withdraw your application. You do not have to notify us of any other changes until the visa office contacts you (about four months before the office is ready to assess your application).
Q9: I have already submitted my application. Do I have to start over?
No. Applications that were already submitted will be processed as usual. Full applications received after the September 1 implementation date are accepted, but the supporting documents will be returned to the applicant until the visa office requests them.
Q10: Why do you return the supporting documents?
The simplified application process is intended to help clients by eliminating the burden of continuously having to submit documents while in the queue. It also allows CIC to save duplication of work as well as storage space. In addition, given application processing times, most documents will have to be updated if the applicant's situation changes (e.g. marital status, job, education, and financial situation).
Q11: I have been nominated under a province's immigration program. Do I submit a simplified application?
No. Individuals applying under a Provincial Nomination Program do not submit a simplified application since these applications are processed on a priority basis.
Q12: Will my processing fees be reimbursed if I decide to withdraw my application?
Yes. If you contact the visa office before they contact you (i.e. before the assessment of your application begins), you will be reimbursed.
Q13: Will this initiative reduce processing times?
No. The simplified application process however reduces the amount of information applicants need to submit when they apply while still securing them a place in the queue, and they do not have to send supporting documents twice.
Q14: I have just taken a language proficiency test at a designated organization (such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the Test d'�valuation de fran�ais (TEF)). Can I submit the results now?
If you apply after September 1, 2006, (under the simplified application process) no supporting documents are accepted at the outset. Please only submit your language test results once you have been asked by the visa office to submit supporting documentation. Any documents submitted prior to this will be returned. If you take the language test within one year of submitting your simplified application, those results remain valid and will be accepted as supporting documentation by the visa office.
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