Helpful Hints

New: All applicants in the Federal Skilled Worker Class must submit their initial applications to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Canada as of April 1, 2009.

Submit only the forms listed on the CIO checklist PDF ^* (87 KB).

If the CIO determines that you meet the criteria to apply for permanent residence, you will be advised to submit a full application to a Visa Office abroad.

Federal Skilled Worker Applications Submitted to Buffalo

Place immigration photos in an envelope and staple the envelope to the second page of the application being careful not to put a staple through the photos.

Use no binders, page protectors, report covers, etc; Avoid excessive use of paper clips. If the application has numerous supporting documents, please use an elastic band. Do not submit documents in separate envelopes.

Sign the declaration on page four of IMM 0008 Schedule 1.

Arrange the submitted documents in this order:

A Application package

1. IMM 0008 Generic (Application for Permanent Residence in Canada)
2. IMM 0008 Schedule 1 (Background/Declaration) for principal applicant
3. IMM 0008 Schedule 3 (Economic Classes - Federal Skilled Workers)
4. IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information) for principal applicant
5. IMM 0008 Schedule 1 for spouse and children over age 18, whether accompanying you to Canada or not
6. IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information) for spouse and children over age 18, whether accompanying you to Canada or not
7. 7. Copies of passports or travel documents for you, your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children. Include only copies of pages showing the passport number, date of issue and expiry, photo, name, date and place of birth.
8. IMM 5476 (Use of a representative form) if a representative has been appointed,

B Supporting Documents

1. Representative's covering letter if a representative has been appointed.
2. Copies of identity documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce and custody documents)
3. Education documents (open all envelopes except transcripts)
4. All documents in support of your work experience (open all envelopes)
5. Conclusive proof of stated language proficiency
6. Current statement of unencumbered and readily transferable funds in a convertible currency available for settlement in Canada

7. Police certificates from each country or territory where you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18.

   National police certificates

   You may be instructed by the Visa Office to provide police certificates from U.S. states where you have resided for 6 consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18. Click here for state police certificate instructions.

Before any application is accepted for processing, it is examined to ensure it is in compliance with Regulation 12 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations which states that if certain requirements are not met, the application and all documents submitted in support of the application shall be returned to the applicant.

To avoid having the application package returned:

Complete the sections of the application regarding Membership or Association with Organizations, Government positions and Military service. If you had no such memberships or associations, write "Not Applicable" or "N/A" in the space provided. Do not leave these sections blank.

Show your complete personal history since age 18, leaving no time period unaccounted for when showing employment/educational history and residential history.

Provide conclusive evidence of your stated level of language proficiency. Acceptable tests are IELTS and TEF.

If providing a written submission, give a detailed description of language training and the nature and extent of your use of the language(s) and the level of proficiency stated.

Show proof of lawful admission to the USA, Canada, Bermuda, or St. Pierre et Miquelon for at least one year in the form of a stamp in your passport or a copy of the status document issued upon entry. If original status has been extended, include a copy of the document or stamp providing the extension.

Provide the NOC code on all Federal Skilled Worker applications.

To avoid delays in processing:

Provide a detailed explanation if any of the questions in Section 9 of IMM 0008 Schedule 1 were answered "yes".

Provide a detailed statement, in applicant's (or dependent's) own words, concerning any criminal charges or immigration enforcement actions against applicant or dependants.

Attach a statement with details for any out of the ordinary situations regarding marital status or dependents; such as:

• separated/ estranged from spouse
• custody of children
• multiple marriages/divorces

Clearly indicate whether dependants will be accompanying the principal applicant to Canada (anyone age 18 or over requires criminal and security screening whether they are accompanying or not).

Clearly show the principal applicant's full name, date of birth, and file number on any documents or information submitted subsequent to the original submission.

Immigration Cost Recovery In Buffalo

If you are applying in the Federal Skilled Worker category the only fee you will be required to pay in Buffalo will be the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). This fee will be requested at the appropriate time.

If you add a dependant to your application after processing has begun you may pay the additional fee in Buffalo.

Please note: Fees are subject to change without notice; refer to the fee schedule for correct fees.

---