Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Published on November 3 2010 by khanhha.dk.over-blog.com

For general information, refer to the FAQ section of the CIC website.
The following are FAQs specific to this visa office:

Visit

I am on a short holiday in a country that your visa office covers (e.g. UK, Ireland, Denmark, etc). Can I apply for a temporary resident visa at your visa office?
Do I need an appointment to apply for a temporary resident visa at your visa office?
As proof of my financial situation, is a letter stating that my host will pay my expenses sufficient?
How are passports returned once an application has been processed?
How can I extend my stay in Canada as a visitor?

I am on a short holiday in a country that your visa office covers (e.g. UK, Ireland, Denmark, etc). Can I apply for a temporary resident visa at your visa office?

Although you may apply in London, we prefer that you apply to the office responsible for the country where you normally reside. They are the most suited to assess your documents and situation. List of countries and corresponding Canadian visa offices

However if you do apply in London, then state clearly on your application why you have not applied in your normal country of residence.

Do I need an appointment to apply for a temporary resident visa at your visa office?

No. Applications are processed on a "first come, first served" basis. You must come to the High Commission with your complete application at a time when we are open to the public if you want to apply in person. You can also apply by drop box or mail. Refer to How to Submit your Application for details.

As proof of my financial situation, is a letter stating that my host will pay my expenses sufficient?

When an application for a temporary resident visa, work permit or study permit is assessed, the applicant’s general financial situation is taken into account. You must therefore submit proof of your own financial situation. If you are financially dependent on someone, you should provide a letter from that person explaining your relationship, along with proof of that person’s financial situation.

How are passports returned once an application has been processed?

Passports are returned by recorded delivery in the self-addressed envelope you included with your application. This means that someone at the recipient’s address must sign to acknowledge that they have received the package.

How can I extend my stay in Canada as a visitor?

Since you are already in Canada, you should consult the CIC webpage on Visiting Canada: Extending your Stay.

Study

What is acceptable evidence of funds in support of my study permit application?

Proof of funds can be in the form of your bank statements or your parents’ bank statements accompanied by a letter from your parent(s) confirming that they will be financially responsible for you. All funds must be in an account in Canada or in the country of your current residence. Funds located in off-shore accounts are not acceptable as proof of funds. General letters of reference from banks are not sufficient. For more details, refer to the CIC page on Proof of Financial Support.

How can I expedite the processing of my application?

Applications are processed in the order that we receive them, regardless of whether they are submitted by mail or drop box. To prevent delays, ensure your application form is complete and that all of the supporting documents and the correct fees are included with your application.

If you are in London, you may want to submit your application in the drop box at our visa office. The result will be sent to you by mail. To decrease mailing times, you can submit a self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope with your application. Make sure you record the tracking number first.

I have a criminal conviction. Will I still be able to receive a work or study permit?

It depends on the conviction(s). All criminal convictions must be declared on the Application form and supported by an original police certificate and explanation of the events leading to the conviction. An officer will then assess the application and you will be advised of the outcome.

Work temporarily

Do I need a work permit?

If you are applying under one of the following categories, you may not need a work permit (though you may still need a temporary resident visa). Contact the Visa and Immigration Section if you fall under one of these categories so we can advise you whether you need a work permit.

Volunteers/Members of the Clergy
Visiting Academics/Researchers
Business Visitors
Performing Artists/Musicians
Film/Media Crew

I am between 18 and 35 years of age. Can I work in Canada without a job offer?

If you are a British citizen aged 18-30, or an Irish citizen aged 18-35, you may be eligible to participate in an International Youth Program (working holiday).

I need a visa but I cannot submit my passport at this time. Can I still apply without my passport?

In your application, include a notarized copy of each page of your passport and an explanation as to why you cannot submit your passport. Once the application has been screened by support staff, we will advise you to submit your passport. When it is received, it will go into our normal review queue to be reviewed by a visa officer which will take more than a day. You will be given the opportunity to collect your passport personally once a decision has been made. This process generally adds about 1-2 weeks to our processing time.

How can I expedite the processing of my application?

I’m a healthcare student going to do an elective placement in Canada. How do I apply?

Read the section on healthcare students for instructions.

I need to travel urgently but my passport is in your office. How can I get my passport back?

We can return your passport by mail to you if you Contact the Visa and Immigration Section. If it is an emergency, you may come in person to the High Commission between 8:30 and 9 am. Your passport will be ready for collection after 1 pm that same day. However if you arrive after 9 am, we will inform you when the passport will be ready for collection (there is no guarantee that it will be the same day). Unfortunately if you borrow your passport, it will take longer to process your application.

Can you extend my permit?

No. If you are presently inside Canada, you must submit your application for an extension to the appropriate Case Processing Centre in Canada, at least 30 days prior to the expiry of your permit. For more information, see the CIC page on Extending your stay.

If you have left Canada and your permit has expired, you must apply for a new permit at a visa office outside Canada. You must prove that you still meet the necessary requirements.

Skilled workers and professionals

What should be provided as proof of my relative’s residence in Canada?

We require documents that show conclusively that your relative is currently residing in Canada. The following should be included (as applicable):
- recent payslips from your relative’s place of work,
- proof that your relative is attending an educational institution,
- recent credit card and bank statements showing purchases in Canada,
- recent Canadian income tax documents, such as a Notice of Assessment (NOA),
- current tenancy contract or property ownership deeds.

How do I add my newborn child or new spouse/partner to my application? (I’ve already submitted the application.)

If you have not yet been asked to submit any supporting documents to the Canadian High Commission: Wait until you have received such a request either from this office or from the Federal Skilled Worker Centralized Intake Unit in Sydney, Nova Scotia. You can add your new child/spouse/partner by responding to this request (see below).

If you have been asked to submit supporting documents to the Canadian High Commission: When submitting your supporting documents, include an updated application form with your new child/spouse/partner included. You will also need to submit a copy of their birth certificate, 4 passport-sized photos, the processing fee and a copy of their passport, if available.

I have submitted the documents that you asked for. Why haven’t I heard from you yet?

Due to the large amount of documents received at our office, it may take 4 months or more for incoming documents to be reviewed and for the next step to be taken in your immigration application. Please do not contact the office for at least 120 days after you have submitted new information as repeated letters and e-mails only slow the process.

Sponsoring your family

Must I submit an original marriage certificate, divorce certificate, etc.?

We recommend that you only submit photocopies of your civil documents with your original application. Any originals you submit will be at your own risk, as we cannot guarantee they will be returned. However, you must submit original police certificates. These originals will not be returned to you, so keep a copy for your records. If any other original document is required, you will be informed during the processing of your application.

I am sponsoring my spouse/partner, but he/she has a criminal conviction, how will this affect his/her application?

If a conviction is considered spent under the UK Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, this will probably not affect his/her application. However, if the conviction has not been spent or if the offence was committed in another country, it may mean that your spouse/partner is considered inadmissible. This means that he/she cannot enter Canada. In rare cases, special permission to enter is granted.

In the absence of a completed application, properly submitted, we cannot provide opinions on criminal inadmissibility. It is essential that the responses to all questions on the application form are complete, and supported by documentation if appropriate. Misrepresentation of a material fact (i.e. lying) also renders an applicant inadmissible. Refer to our Inadmissibility section for further information.

Business Immigration Program: Investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed persons

I am operating my business in a Gulf state where there are no corporate or personal income taxes. How does this affect my application?

Tax returns provide important third-party evidence of business activity and are available in most jurisdictions. In order to compensate, additional documentation such as financial information prepared by a recognized public accountancy firm may be required. There is also an increased probability that you will be asked to attend an interview to provide original supporting documentation such as receipts, invoices, cheques, and bank statements.

I would prefer to be interviewed in London even though I reside in the Gulf. Is this possible?

You should make your preference known in your application. Subject to resource and scheduling issues, should an interview be required, we will endeavour to meet your request and inform you accordingly.

I’m applying as an investor based on my business experience managing employees, but I also own part of the company. Do I have to provide financial statements for my company?

Financial statements are important evidence, even if you do not need to meet the requirement of managing a qualifying business. Your company makes up part of your net worth and the production of financial statements makes it easier for a visa officer to corroborate and understand your business activities. If you are able to provide financial statements for your company, we recommend that you do so.

Miscellaneous

Will my police certificate be returned to me?

Will my police certificate be returned to me?

You must submit original police certificates, however these originals will not be returned to you so please keep a copy for your records.