Under the new regulations, selection standards are more objective and clearly defined. It is expected that in most cases visa officers will be able to make a decision to approve or refuse an application based on the documentation provided by the applicant without a selection interview. However, in some cases, an interview may be necessary for a number of reasons. Especially, if you do not meet the pass mark in effect and are applying under “Substitute Evaluation”, you are more likely to be called in for an interview to decide if there are reasonable grounds to exercise positive discretion.
Purpose of the Interview
If required, a selection interview would be conducted for several reasons:
1. To verify the validity and truthfulness of certain information provided on the forms and documentation submitted with the application
2. To clarify any specific information and inconsistencies
3. To clarify certain issues as regards to the background of the applicant and/or his/her dependents
4. To verify that the applicant possesses the necessary funds to settle in Canada
5. To confirm that the applicant is not inadmissible on security grounds
6. To verify if there are sufficient grounds to use positive discretion, if the applicant's point total is below the current pass mark
Interview Waivers
At their discretion, visa officers may approve an application for permanent residence in Canada without holding a selection interview. An interview waiver will significantly expedite the processing of the application. Usually, well-prepared applications, which are complete in every detail will increase the chances of an interview waiver.
When assessing an application under the Skilled Worker category, visa officers will consider several factors before granting an interview waiver such as:
1. Quality and completeness of the application forms and documents
2. Proof of the applicant's English and/or French language ability
3. The applicant's educational qualifications
4. The applicant's professional qualifications such as quality of his/her educational background and work experience
5. The applicant's potential for adaptability, resourcefulness and motivation to successfully establish himself/herself in Canada
6. The applicant's overall integrity and credibility
A selection interview may occasionally be required for even highly qualified applicants, as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officials randomly select such applicants to test the accuracy of their interview-waiving criteria for quality assurance purposes.
Rarely, it is also possible that after an interview waiver has been granted, the visa officer may change his/her mind and require the applicant to come to the selection interview or vice versa.
Interview Preparation Tips
You should prepare for the immigration interview just as you would for any job interview. To boost your confidence, practice your answers to the questions provided in the next section before the actual interview.
Here is what you should keep in mind on the day of the interview:
1. Your overall appearance must be neat and clean so as to leave a good impression on the visa officer. Dress professionally and comfortably, preferably in North American style clothing. Be moderate with the perfume, make–up and accessories you use.
2. Arrive on time, preferably a little early to get yourself organized and relax. Being on time will be interpreted as evidence of your professionalism.
3. Try to relax before the interview. Think of the interview as a conversation not interrogation.
5. Always maintain an eye contact with the visa officer during the interview.
6. Be positive in your attitude and show self-confidence. Stay away from negative comments.
7. Make a good impression on the visa officer by asserting yourself as the type of candidate that Canada needs and that you have the necessary educational and professional skills to become successfully established in Canada. But do NOT be arrogant or boast about yourself or your accomplishments.
8. Avoid signs of nervousness or tension during the interview. Stay away from awkward movements and gesticulations or negative body language that would distract the visa officer.
9. Listen to the questions asked by the visa officer carefully and answer them in a clear, concise and sincere manner. Reflect briefly before answering difficult questions. If you are not sure about a particular question, politely ask the visa officer to repeat or clarify the question.
10. If your wife attends the interview with you and she is asked a question, you should not attempt to answer the question on her behalf unless she does not understand English or French.
11. The visa officers will ask you questions about the information you previously provided with your application. Make sure that your answers are consistent with the information you provided before. Review the information and documents that you provided with your application before the interview to refresh your memory.
12. Be ready to produce the original of any required document when requested by the visa officer. Keep your documents in a folder in an organized manner so that you can find them easily when necessary.
13. The visa officer may ask you to elaborate on certain key issues pertaining to your work experience, your language skills, educational background and so on. You should fully be prepared to address the questions and concerns of the visa officer. Be prepared to provide additional documentation in support of your explanation, if necessary.
14. Before the interview, research the job market in Canada thoroughly. Be knowledgeable about Canada and the region you want to settle in after you immigrate to Canada.
15. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for his/her time.
Discretion of the Visa Officer
1. Positive Discretion
The visa officer can use his/her discretionary power to approve an application under the “Substitute Evaluation” provisions of the new regulations if the visa officer feels that the applicant is likely to become economically established in Canada or the applicant’s point total is not a sufficient indicator of whether or not the applicant may become economically established in Canada.
2. Negative Discretion
Similarly, the new regulations also make it possible for the visa officer to refuse an application regardless of the applicant’s point total where the visa officer is of the opinion that the applicant does not have the ability to economically establish himself/herself in Canada.
Purpose of the Interview
If required, a selection interview would be conducted for several reasons:
1. To verify the validity and truthfulness of certain information provided on the forms and documentation submitted with the application
2. To clarify any specific information and inconsistencies
3. To clarify certain issues as regards to the background of the applicant and/or his/her dependents
4. To verify that the applicant possesses the necessary funds to settle in Canada
5. To confirm that the applicant is not inadmissible on security grounds
6. To verify if there are sufficient grounds to use positive discretion, if the applicant's point total is below the current pass mark
Interview Waivers
At their discretion, visa officers may approve an application for permanent residence in Canada without holding a selection interview. An interview waiver will significantly expedite the processing of the application. Usually, well-prepared applications, which are complete in every detail will increase the chances of an interview waiver.
When assessing an application under the Skilled Worker category, visa officers will consider several factors before granting an interview waiver such as:
1. Quality and completeness of the application forms and documents
2. Proof of the applicant's English and/or French language ability
3. The applicant's educational qualifications
4. The applicant's professional qualifications such as quality of his/her educational background and work experience
5. The applicant's potential for adaptability, resourcefulness and motivation to successfully establish himself/herself in Canada
6. The applicant's overall integrity and credibility
A selection interview may occasionally be required for even highly qualified applicants, as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officials randomly select such applicants to test the accuracy of their interview-waiving criteria for quality assurance purposes.
Rarely, it is also possible that after an interview waiver has been granted, the visa officer may change his/her mind and require the applicant to come to the selection interview or vice versa.
Interview Preparation Tips
You should prepare for the immigration interview just as you would for any job interview. To boost your confidence, practice your answers to the questions provided in the next section before the actual interview.
Here is what you should keep in mind on the day of the interview:
1. Your overall appearance must be neat and clean so as to leave a good impression on the visa officer. Dress professionally and comfortably, preferably in North American style clothing. Be moderate with the perfume, make–up and accessories you use.
2. Arrive on time, preferably a little early to get yourself organized and relax. Being on time will be interpreted as evidence of your professionalism.
3. Try to relax before the interview. Think of the interview as a conversation not interrogation.
5. Always maintain an eye contact with the visa officer during the interview.
6. Be positive in your attitude and show self-confidence. Stay away from negative comments.
7. Make a good impression on the visa officer by asserting yourself as the type of candidate that Canada needs and that you have the necessary educational and professional skills to become successfully established in Canada. But do NOT be arrogant or boast about yourself or your accomplishments.
8. Avoid signs of nervousness or tension during the interview. Stay away from awkward movements and gesticulations or negative body language that would distract the visa officer.
9. Listen to the questions asked by the visa officer carefully and answer them in a clear, concise and sincere manner. Reflect briefly before answering difficult questions. If you are not sure about a particular question, politely ask the visa officer to repeat or clarify the question.
10. If your wife attends the interview with you and she is asked a question, you should not attempt to answer the question on her behalf unless she does not understand English or French.
11. The visa officers will ask you questions about the information you previously provided with your application. Make sure that your answers are consistent with the information you provided before. Review the information and documents that you provided with your application before the interview to refresh your memory.
12. Be ready to produce the original of any required document when requested by the visa officer. Keep your documents in a folder in an organized manner so that you can find them easily when necessary.
13. The visa officer may ask you to elaborate on certain key issues pertaining to your work experience, your language skills, educational background and so on. You should fully be prepared to address the questions and concerns of the visa officer. Be prepared to provide additional documentation in support of your explanation, if necessary.
14. Before the interview, research the job market in Canada thoroughly. Be knowledgeable about Canada and the region you want to settle in after you immigrate to Canada.
15. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for his/her time.
Discretion of the Visa Officer
1. Positive Discretion
The visa officer can use his/her discretionary power to approve an application under the “Substitute Evaluation” provisions of the new regulations if the visa officer feels that the applicant is likely to become economically established in Canada or the applicant’s point total is not a sufficient indicator of whether or not the applicant may become economically established in Canada.
2. Negative Discretion
Similarly, the new regulations also make it possible for the visa officer to refuse an application regardless of the applicant’s point total where the visa officer is of the opinion that the applicant does not have the ability to economically establish himself/herself in Canada.
