Your application will be processed at the visa office where you applied.
The process may vary depending on the visa office, however some processing steps are common to all offices.
1. The application assessment process
2. Processing time
3. Medical examinations
4. Criminal and security checks
5. The decision on your application
6. Change of address
7. Confirmation of permanent residence
The application assessment process
After you submit your application, a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officer will verify that you submitted all the required documentation with your application. The officer will make sure you:
· completed your application form correctly and signed it
· paid your processing fee and
· included the required supporting documentation if you used the regular application process.
If you applied using the Simplified Application Process, the visa office will contact you and ask you to provide the required documentation about four months before your application is processed.
If your application is not complete, the visa office will return it to you without processing it.
The visa office where you applied will send you a letter when they receive your completed application. The letter will tell you what you need to do and what happens next.
Processing time
The length of time it takes to process applications varies depending on where you applied. You can check application processing times in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
You may be able to avoid unnecessary delays by:
· making sure all the necessary information is included with your application
· notifying the visa office of any changes to personal information on your application, such as your address, phone and fax numbers or a change in the makeup of your family
· avoiding repeated inquiries to the visa office
· ensuring that the photocopies and documents you provide are clear and legible
· providing certified English or French translations of original documents that you submit in other languages and
· applying from a country where you are a citizen or permanent resident.
Your application will be delayed if the visa office has to take extra steps to assess your case. Your application will take longer if:
· there are criminal or security problems related to your application
· your family situation is not clear because of a divorce or an adoption that is not yet complete or child custody issues that have not been resolved or
· the visa office that processes your application has to consult with other CIC offices in Canada or abroad.
You can check the status of your application online after the visa office has started to process your application. Select the Check my application status button in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
Medical examinations
You must pass a medical examination before coming to Canada. Your dependants must also pass a medical examination even if they are not coming to Canada with you.
Applications for permanent residence will not be accepted if an applicant’s health:
· is a danger to public health or safety or
· would cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada.
Instructions on how to take the medical examination will normally be sent to you after you submit your application to the visa office. Additional information on medical examinations is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
Criminal and security checks
If you have a criminal record you may not be allowed to enter Canada. People who pose a risk to Canada’s security are not allowed to come to Canada either.
If you want to immigrate to Canada, you and any family members 18 years of age and older who come to Canada with you must provide police certificates to the visa office.
If you apply using the regular application process, you must submit the police certificates with your application. If you apply using the simplified application process, the visa office will contact you and ask you to provide the required documentation at a later date.
You can find more information about criminal and security checks in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
The decision on your application
The CIC officer will make a decision on your application based on several factors, including:
· the results of your medical examination
· the results of your criminal and security checks
· whether you meet the definition of a self-employed person and
· the points you accumulate under each of the five selection factors.
The visa office will contact you if it needs more documentation or if you are required to attend an interview.
If your application is approved, you will be asked to submit your passport to the Canadian visa office where you applied in order to receive your permanent resident visa.
Change of address
If you move or change your address, telephone number or any other contact information after you submit your application, you must contact the visa office where you submitted your application.
Confirmation of permanent residence
If your application is approved, the visa office will issue a permanent resident visa to you. Your permanent resident visa includes your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your entry visa. Your COPR will include identification information as well as your photograph. Please check the information on your COPR to make sure it is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport. If there is a mistake on your COPR, contact your visa office.
You must have your COPR and your visa with you when you arrive in Canada.