The 6 most common mistakes in Canadian permanent residence applications

Recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published a training guide for officers responsible for assessing permanent residence (PR) applications, based on a 447-page document with real-world examples used to train officers on how to analyze applications and identify which situations warrant further review or even refusal.

In this blog, I will share the 6 most common mistakes PR applicants make in Canada, real cases detected by officials and a guide on what you should do to avoid them. 

If you are planning to apply for permanent residency in Canada, read with me to the end and guarantee the success of your application. Let's get started!

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Common mistakes, real cases and solutions when applying for permanent residency

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1. Common mistake: Using the wrong NOC code.

Many applicants select their NOC based on their job title rather than the actual duties they perform. In this case, you should be aware that immigration officers review your job duties and compare them to the main NOC description and responsibilities, but not to the job title.

• Actual Case: Diana, from the Philippines, stated her occupation as a customer service center supervisor, but her duties were more in line with the position of claims clerk - customer service. As her NOC did not match her duties, her case was referred for review.
• What to do: Before submitting your application, the candidate should carefully compare their duties with the NOC's main description and responsibilities. For example, a content creator whose title is "Reporter" might be better classified as an author or editor (NOC 51111) and not as a journalist (NOC 51113)!

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2. Common mistake: Not declaring changes in your personal circumstances.

Changes in marital status, such as getting married or divorced; or in your employment context, changing jobs, among others, must be reported to IRCC after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Failure to do so may be considered a false declaration, which carries a 5-year ban from applying for immigration to Canada!

• True story: Amar divorced after receiving his ITA. As a result, his Comprehensive Rating System (CRS) score decreased and he no longer met the minimum for the draw in which he was selected. Because he did not report the change, his application was rejected!
• What to do: The applicant must report his or her new marital status. Major changes should always be reported. If your CRS score drops, don't worry, you can return to the Express Entry applicant pool and participate in future draws!

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3. Common mistake: Not adequately demonstrating your work experience

Work experience must meet specific requirements: at least one year of continuous, paid, full-time work experience within the last 10 years. Volunteer or unpaid work does not count.

• Case in point: Om Kapoor had over 30 years of acting experience, but none of his recent jobs met the minimum requirements for continuity and duration, and as a result, his application was rejected.
• What to do: Always carefully check the work experience requirements for the program to which you are applying. This includes letters of employment that specify title, duties, salary, hours and dates of employment.

4. Common mistake: Submitting expired or invalid language exams.

Language tests accepted by IRCC (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada) are valid for two years from the date of the test. The test must be current on the day you submit your application for permanent residence.

• Real case: Laura received her ITA in November 2020 and submitted her application in December 2020. Her language test was from December 2018 and was no longer current. Her application was rejected.
• What to do: Make sure your exam is from an IRCC-approved provider and is current at the time you submit your application.

5. Common mistake: Misunderstanding the immigration program requirements.

Each permanent residency program has specific criteria. For example, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program does not accept work experience obtained during full-time study.

• Case in point: Auston applied under the CEC using work experience as a research assistant while studying at the University of Toronto. Since his work was during his full-time studies, that experience did not count.
• What to do: verify that your experience meets all CEC requirements, these are: that the work is paid (not volunteer); that it is authorized with a valid permit, not during full-time study; that it is within TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the NOC; that it meets at least 1 year of full-time work (30 hours per week); that it is within the 3 years prior to application and that the duties match the stated NOC.

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6. Common mistake: Ignoring possible medical or criminal inadmissibility.

Even if all program requirements are met, IRCC may reject your application if you or any member of your family is inadmissible for medical, criminal or security reasons.

• Actual case: Apu met all CEC requirements, but his wife was deemed inadmissible due to a medical condition that may require dialysis. His application was rejected under section A42 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

• What to do: obtain the required medical examinations and police certificates for you and your family. If there is a problem, an immigration consultant or lawyer can help you present arguments to overcome inadmissibility, such as humanitarian claims or evidence that medical treatment will not be costly to the Canadian system.

Protect your application by following these steps

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Your application for permanent residence may or may not be approved, depending on the immigration officer's evaluation, but it is clear that the smallest mistakes by the applicant himself or herself can have big consequences. 

• Research your NOC code and program requirements thoroughly.
• Keep your documents up to date, especially language tests and employment letters.
• Be honest and transparent with IRCC.
• Consult a professional if you are in doubt about your eligibility.

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Need help resolving errors in your permanent residence application? Immiland Canada can handle your case with the best chance of success. Our team of CICC regulated consultants and Canadian lawyers are highly trained to assess your profile and advise you on your application. You can schedule a consultation here.

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Whether you are applying through Express Entry, provincial programs or family sponsorship, having specialized professional advice will make all the difference.

Ensure a complete, correct application with the best chance of success with Immiland Canada's advice.

I hope this guide will help you avoid common mistakes in your application for permanent residence in Canada. 

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Thank you very much for reading, please share this topic with other interested people!

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With love, 

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Immiland Canada