Citizenship and Immigration Canada has recently announced a new “Simplified Application Process” for Skilled Workers seeking to immigrate to Canada.

Previously, applicants were required to submit all the required forms in their entirety as well as all supporting documentation with their initial application as required by the Immigration Regulations. But due to long processing times, this often resulted in additional requests for documentation by the visa office as initial documentation became outdated.

The new change coming into effect September 1st, 2006, attempts to simplify the application process in that candidates seeking to immigrate need only submit the Application for Permanent Residence in Canada form, as well as the processing fee. This will suffice to place the application in the processing queue until such time as an immigration officer can review the file. Approximately four months before the file is ready to be processed the Visa Office will request additional forms and supporting documentation.

This does not represent a change in the forms or documentation required, nor does it represent a change to the requirements necessary to qualify. It simply represents a change as to the timing of when forms and supporting documentation are to be submitted for the purpose of eliminating the need for multiple form submissions.

Applicants must be forewarned however that applications being submitted under the new Simplified Application Process should be accompanied by a thoroughly detailed submission letter outlining the applicant’s credentials within the context of all the factors of assessment enumerated by the Immigration Regulations. Without any reference to the applicant’s credentials, applications which previously would have been accompanied by relevant supporting documentation, risk being refused.

Not all applicants will make use of the simplified process: the Visa Office in Buffalo will continue to make use of the former submission process, as will all skilled workers applying with points under the Arranged Employment Factor. Temporary residents on Student or Visitors visa’s, as well as Provincial Nominees and those selected by Quebec, will also continue to use the existing processing procedures.

Applications that have already been submitted will be processed under the existing processing procedures.