The Requirement to Submit a Complete e-Application
In Express Entry, applicants typically need to submit a complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR). They need to do this within 60 calendar days of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The applicants would need to submit the application and all supporting documents electronically. They could do this via the applicants’ MyCIC accounts.
It is worth noting that the authorities assess applications upfront for completeness. Therefore, when they come across incomplete applications, they would reject them [R10]. In addition, they would refund the appropriate fees to the applicants.
Once the authorities assess an application as being complete, the Express Entry six-month processing standard commences. At this time, the authorities promote the application in the Global Case Management System (GCMS). Eventually, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will make a final decision on the application. At this point, the six-month processing standard will conclude.
A complete application would typically comprise:
- The electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR)
- The cost recovery fees and,
- All supporting documentation applicable to the program to which the applicant is applying, along with all the applicant’s personal circumstances
In addition, applicants would need to undergo upfront medical examinations. Thereafter, they would also need to submit all the required Police Certificates (PCs) as part of their complete application. In exceptional circumstances, the processing offices can exhibit some amount of flexibility in accommodating these requirements. This is especially so in cases where delays occur that are beyond the control of the applicants. Officers would need to refer to the Document Checklist section given below for more details.
Incomplete Applications
As mentioned earlier, the processing offices would need to reject applications when they find that the applications are incomplete. In these situations, the processing offices would need to:
- Promote and then cancel the application in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
- They would need to list “Incomplete Application” in the application status reason field
- Note the reasons for having rejected the application in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) and,
- Refund all fees associated with the application as applicable, including:
- The cost recovery fee and,
- The Right of Permanent Resident Fee (RPRF)
Applicants would need to submit a new Express Entry profile in their MyCIC accounts when they receive their rejected (or incomplete) applications. Only then would the authorities consider them for any future draws.
The Document Checklist
Candidates would need to refer to the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Here, they would be able to find a generic document checklist that contains all the possible documentation requirements. This would enable them to prepare themselves better. This is especially so if they happen to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
When applicants submit their Applications for Permanent Residence (APRs) in their MyCIC accounts, they will receive a personalised document checklist. This checklist identifies the supporting documents required from each family member specified in the application.
The Translation of Documents
Situations could arise where a supporting document is in a language other than English or French. In this scenario, the applicant would need to provide Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) with:
- A copy of the original document and,
- A version translated by a certified translator
Applicants could naturally require further information about this process. Therefore, they would need to refer to the:
- Instruction Guide for Express Entry candidates and,
- Instruction Guide for Express Entry applicants
The List of Mandatory Documents for All Applicants
Source: Citizenship and Immigration
