On IEC, didn't declare I lived in another country, now applying for PR.

[koko13]

I have received my ITA for EE. I am applying through the Candian Express Class and have 477 points.

On my IEC application, when asked, 'have you lived in another country for 6 months since you were 18?' i should have said yes as I 'lived' in Australia when I was 'travelling' I said no because I just didn't consider it living as I had no fixed address.

Can anyone suggest what I should do?

Thanks

 

[k.h.p.]

Were you in Australia for more than six months with no fixed address?

 

[koko13]

Yes, I was there for 11 months in total, I stayed in hostels and travelled around the whole country.

 

[k.h.p.]

Were you there on a working holiday, or was it truly just travelling? You had no income, paid no taxes, etc?

If you were actually just backpacking for more than six months, you could write a letter of explanation and say that you were travelling through Australia for more than six months but didn't consider it living.

On your IEC application, did you include your time in Australia in your travel history? If you didn't even include it in your travel history, then you may have an issue.

 

[koko13]

I was on a working holiday and did some work, I think the longest was for a few months.

I don't think I included it on my travel history but cannot remember to be honest. Let's assume the worst and say, no. Is there anyway I can go back and review my IEC application?

 

[k.h.p.]

You can request the application through Access to Information, but that'll take at least a month and likely be too long for your EE application.

If you worked there, you lived there. It wasn't travelling per se. You had a visa and everything. That will show up in your background check for PR, and would require you to get a police clearance certificate, likely.

You may want to consult a lawyer - I'm not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice. They may advise you to put this into a letter of explanation in your EE application so that the visa officer sees it up front rather than "discovering" it later. But check with a lawyer. The worst thing that could happen would be being banned from Canada for misrepresentation.

 

[koko13]

OK. Thank you. I really appreciate your advice.

I am going to speak to a lawyer/consultant. I have everything as though I did declare my time in Australia. I have applied for a police check (which is on its way) and I am declaring it now.

Will a lawyer be able to tell me whether this would lead to a ban? I would prefer to not apply than risk a ban.

 

[k.h.p.]

Try a lawyer rather than a consultant. To avoid a ban, you need to be honest, upfront, and not hide things. A lawyer can advise you the best way to do this.