Lately, I have seen an increasing number of PFLs and refusals of PNP and even PR application.
Some of the reasons are as follows:
1. Proof of funds – the amount did not meet the applicable amount as mentioned on IRCC website, the bank letter did not provide all details and bank statements were not added, gift deed was poorly executed.
2. Translation – Either the documents were not translated or original document was not uploaded along with the translation.
3. PCC – Usual suspect and one of the most common reasons for refusals. Either number of days were not calculated. Or Distance Education in a different country was not explained and hence PCC requirement was triggered, or PCC was scanned from a copy.
4. Work Experience – NOC code did not match with employment reference letter, Documents not provided for all work periods mentioned, misrepresentation in providing correct work experience
5. Confusing LOE – (Now also referred to as Client Information – CI) Conflicting information provided in LOE in contrast with documents uploaded.
6. Passport – Only bio pages uploaded.
Guys, please don’t be in a rush to submit your documents. Even after you have uploaded all your documents and are ready to submit (time permitting), sleep over it and the next morning review each document again and compare with IRCC requirements again. Go over everything with a fine comb with a sole purpose of finding errors and faults.
Pro Tip: Have a 3rd person who knows nothing about your application read your LOE and see if the person understands everything that you wanted to convey. This is very important document, which you can really use effectively if you have any gaps or missing information or are using alternate documents.
Details/List of documents required as per IRCC checklist post-ITA.
These can be viewed online once you are uploading documents under the placeholders by clicking on the “?” link.
(Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but just an indication on what is on under the “?” link that IRCC mentions)
Document: Marriage License/Certificate
The marriage must be valid under the law of the country where it took place and under Canadian law.
A marriage performed in an embassy or consulate must comply with the law of the host country where it took place, not the country of nationality of the embassy or consulate.
Document: Passports/Travel Documents (Multiple)
You must submit a legible copy of your valid travel document which you will use to travel.
If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of: the page that shows your birth date and country of origin, and any pages with stamps, visas or markings.
Document: Proof of medical exam
You require a medical exam. Learn how to get an upfront medical exam. In order to submit your online application, you will need to upload the information printout sheet or the IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form. Your doctor will give you one of these forms when you complete your medical exam.
If you cannot get a medical exam before the deadline to submit your work permit application, you may submit proof that you have a scheduled an appointment.
Document: Education (diplomas/degrees)
You must provide proof that you completed your post-secondary education. Examples of proof of education include a diploma and/or degree. Examples of post-secondary education are:
Trade/apprenticeship
• Training in a specific trade, such as carpentry or auto mechanics;
• Training in a profession that requires formal education but not at the university level (for example, dental technician or engineering technician); or
• Training not at the university level for which a certificate/diploma is awarded.
Bachelor’s degree
• This is an academic degree awarded by a college or university to those who completed an undergraduate curriculum (also called a baccalaureate). Example: a Bachelor of Arts, Science or Education.
Document: Police Certificates (Multiple)
You must provide a police certificate for every country, region or territory, other than Canada, in which you have spent 6 months or more in a row, post your age of 18years. A police certificate is a copy of your criminal record, or a declaration of the absence of any criminal record. Example: If you visited, worked or lived in a country for 6 months or more at a stretch, that counts as spending six months there. In this case, you would need a certificate.
Police certificates need to be a scan of the original police certificate(s) in color. Certified true copies, unauthorized copies, or visibly altered police certificates are unacceptable and will result in the application being rejected as incomplete.
Once you have applied for a Police Certificate from a country, it is beneficial to upload evidence that you have applied in order to ensure that your application is not rejected as incomplete (examples of proof might include payment receipts, tracking numbers, etc.)
For some countries like Pakistan, a PCC is required from each city that the person has resided in and hence multiple PCCs may be required if you have stayed in different cities.
Document: Proof of Means of Financial Support
Express Entry – Permanent Residents
If you are applying for permanent residence in Canada, you must provide an official letter issued by your financial institution indicating your financial profile. This must:
• list of all your bank (chequing and savings) and investment accounts, the account numbers, dates each account was opened and the balance of each account over the past six months,
• list all outstanding debts, such as credit cards and loans,
• be printed on the letterhead of the financial institution, and include your name and the contact information of the financial institution (address, telephone number and e-mail address).
Document: Digital photo
Frame size
• The final frame size of the photo must be at least 35mm x 45mm.
• The photographs must show a full front view of the head and tops of shoulders, with the face in the middle of the photograph.
• The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31mm and 36mm.
• Digital dimensions are often expressed in pixels or DPI (dots per inch). The physical dimensions in pixels must be at least 420 x 540.
Quality/resolution
If an existing photo is being scanned, the minimum resolution must be 600 pixels per inch.
File format
• The file may be submitted in JPEG or JPEG2000 format.
• The final size of the image should ideally be 240 kB (kilobytes), but not less than 60 kB.
• The image must be in colour (24 bits per pixel) in RGB colour space, which is the common output for most digital cameras.
Document: Employment Records
You must provide proof of work experience for your current job and for each past position you listed. Proof must include a reference letter from your employer and pay stubs, if you have them. The reference letter must:
• be an official document printed on company letterhead
• include your name, the company’s contact information (address, telephone number and e-mail address), the signature of your immediate
• show all positions held while employed at the company
• include these details: job title, duties/responsibilities, job status (if current job), the dates you worked for the company, the number of work hours per week and your annual salary plus benefits.
You must scan all documents for this period of employment and save them as one file. (You must create a separate file for each period of employment.)
Document: Letter of Explanation
If you would like to provide more information about your application that you have not already provided, you can attach a letter of explanation to your application.
Document: Legal Name Change Doc.
You indicated you have another name. You must provide information on the use of this other name (such as a letter of explanation, legal documents of a name change, etc).
Document: Birth Registration/Certificate
Provide a birth certificate, or birth registration. This is the official document that includes a person’s name, and place and date of birth. A birth certificate is required ONLY for dependent children if applying as FSW/CEC/FSTW under Express Entry
Good Luck. May the odds be ever in your favor.