Frequently Asked Questions

For 10 years, if you don't know if your biometrics are still valid you can check here: https://onlineservices-servicesenligne.cic.gc.ca/extapp/bioStatusQuery

Yes, documents that are not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator.

A certified translator is an accredited member whose certification can be confirmed by a stamp or seal showing the translator's membership number of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad (for visa processing).

Note: A translator who has not yet received certification or accreditation, but is in the process of receiving it, is not considered a certified translator for IRCC purposes.

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If you are independent or freelance, the following are examples and alternatives that you can present:

• Company registration or alternatively,
• Registration as independent or alternatively,
• Service contracts with customers or alternatively,
• Letters from customers 2 or 3 attesting that you have rendered services to them.

Any of the above documents will allow us to attest to your self-employed occupations. In a complementary, but not main way, you can optionally add any of the following, to strengthen the genuineness of your business: 

• Self-employed business cards -this document alone does not carry much weight for the officer, ideally it should be accompanied by one of the documents mentioned above.

Web presence: website, facebook -this document alone does not carry much weight for the officer, ideally it should be accompanied by one of those mentioned above-.

Your study permit is what authorizes you to work part-time. However, in order to do so, your study permit must stipulate a "Work off campus" condition. Please note that this work authorization is different from the CO-OP internship work permit.

The co-op is a professional internship (work experience while you are still a student), it does not affect your residency nor does it count towards your residency (with very specific exceptions in Quebec). Your benefit is that you gain work experience in the professional area of study, which will benefit you in the future when you graduate to find your first job.