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Documenting My Process/Progress

theguv

Hero Member
Dec 8, 2016
228
91
48
London UK
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5225
Is this something you will advise someone to undergo
If you've got the time and the patience and there's no other option then yes, it's totally worth it. But it's a long process, self employed is very low on their list of application types to process so you need to be sure it's the route for you.

Due to my age it was the only path left open to me so I had no other choice.
 
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canadawill

Star Member
Jun 5, 2021
128
33
Great to read your journey. Did the interview seem like a difficult process? Does it seem particularly hard to 'pass' and show your value?
 

theguv

Hero Member
Dec 8, 2016
228
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48
London UK
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5225
Great to read your journey. Did the interview seem like a difficult process? Does it seem particularly hard to 'pass' and show your value?
It was pretty informal.

At Toronto Pearson, when you're coming through arrivals you're directed to a separate line/room area where you just wait your turn. The CBSA agent calls you up to the counter and checks over your COPR, passport (and visas you may need to have to access Canada) and any supporting docs and just casually asks questions about your visit, where you're heading, do you have a place to stay and in my case, handed me the medical surveillance forms (which I don't need to worry about until I land properly and have a permanent address in country).

Things can be more complex if you come from countries where there's a track record of people being, shall we say, less than honest about their intentions... I'm from the UK and didn't have any issues but while in line there were 3 south Asian travellers and one Chinese national ahead of me who were getting the holy hell grilled out of them! Pretty sure at least one of them was about to be bounced out the country... didn't seem able to answer a single question with a clear straight answer.

They have access to all your forms and data that you submitted in your application and any backoffice flags that may be applied to your application. Just be calm, polite and honest.
 

canadawill

Star Member
Jun 5, 2021
128
33
It was pretty informal.

At Toronto Pearson, when you're coming through arrivals you're directed to a separate line/room area where you just wait your turn. The CBSA agent calls you up to the counter and checks over your COPR, passport (and visas you may need to have to access Canada) and any supporting docs and just casually asks questions about your visit, where you're heading, do you have a place to stay and in my case, handed me the medical surveillance forms (which I don't need to worry about until I land properly and have a permanent address in country).

Things can be more complex if you come from countries where there's a track record of people being, shall we say, less than honest about their intentions... I'm from the UK and didn't have any issues but while in line there were 3 south Asian travellers and one Chinese national ahead of me who were getting the holy hell grilled out of them! Pretty sure at least one of them was about to be bounced out the country... didn't seem able to answer a single question with a clear straight answer.

They have access to all your forms and data that you submitted in your application and any backoffice flags that may be applied to your application. Just be calm, polite and honest.
Thanks for the insight. Was there not an interview before getting your copr on landing?
 

theguv

Hero Member
Dec 8, 2016
228
91
48
London UK
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5225
Thanks for the insight. Was there not an interview before getting your copr on landing?
Some people are called for interviews prior to COPR/visa issuance but it's not a standard things for all applicants by any means. They'll call you in if they have an issue with any elements of your applicatio that they want to directly clarify face to face. It's often about issues to do with your identity...

If you get your COPR or visa with no interview requirement ahead of it then you're good and will only have to answer a few questions at the border.
 

canadawill

Star Member
Jun 5, 2021
128
33
Some people are called for interviews prior to COPR/visa issuance but it's not a standard things for all applicants by any means. They'll call you in if they have an issue with any elements of your applicatio that they want to directly clarify face to face. It's often about issues to do with your identity...

If you get your COPR or visa with no interview requirement ahead of it then you're good and will only have to answer a few questions at the border.
Interesting, thanks.
Did you update your application at all? My career has moved on positively since I applied and I wouldn’t want the decision made on my application statement that I submitted. But with no permanent number I can’t update.
 

tanyaviola

Hero Member
Sep 28, 2020
235
45
Interesting, thanks.
Did you update your application at all? My career has moved on positively since I applied and I wouldn’t want the decision made on my application statement that I submitted. But with no permanent number I can’t update.
we moved and I tried to send new info via a web form but have no idea if it actually went through. At least my email is the same and I think that’s how they contact you. It’s not a very organized system, at least for those of us who applied via paper application.
 

Iji_fm

Member
Oct 17, 2021
13
0
Hey, I was just wondering... What factors did you consider before picking Canada over staying in the uk?
 

theguv

Hero Member
Dec 8, 2016
228
91
48
London UK
Category........
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5225
we moved and I tried to send new info via a web form but have no idea if it actually went through. At least my email is the same and I think that’s how they contact you. It’s not a very organized system, at least for those of us who applied via paper application.

It's government, they're incredibly slow and lumpy.

Find the contact details for your visa office and reach out to them directly, they don't really like being contacted but it's often more effective than the shooting in the dark webform! Any changes that they receive should be noted in your CIC online account/profile.
 

theguv

Hero Member
Dec 8, 2016
228
91
48
London UK
Category........
NOC Code......
5225
Interesting, thanks.
Did you update your application at all? My career has moved on positively since I applied and I wouldn’t want the decision made on my application statement that I submitted. But with no permanent number I can’t update.
Definitely update them with any changes to your situation or circumstances, if you rock up to the border in a different job or married to someone completely different they will not be very happy...
 

theguv

Hero Member
Dec 8, 2016
228
91
48
London UK
Category........
NOC Code......
5225
Hey, I was just wondering... What factors did you consider before picking Canada over staying in the uk?
It was a combination of things; most importantly my brother lives out there and is in a medical facility and I want to be on the same continent as him so I can be there for him.

Went over there back in 04 for his wedding, really loved the people, the environment and the pace of life. The UK has been my home for 47 years but it's time for a change and a challenge...
 

canadawill

Star Member
Jun 5, 2021
128
33
Definitely update them with any changes to your situation or circumstances, if you rock up to the border in a different job or married to someone completely different they will not be very happy...
Yes but they make the decision before you arrive, right? By reading your statement etc. I want to change it ahead of arrival.
 

theguv

Hero Member
Dec 8, 2016
228
91
48
London UK
Category........
NOC Code......
5225
Yes but they make the decision before you arrive, right? By reading your statement etc. I want to change it ahead of arrival.
Their decision on your COPR is made before you arrive, yes. If your circumstances change in a major way and you're granted COPR based on previous circumstances and they discover the change and you've not mentioned it then they can refuse you COPR or revoke it and bar you from admission to Canada for technically lying on your application.

Tell them everything well ahead of time and leave nothing to chance.