Thinking about immigrating to Canada but don't know where to start? We've rounded up the top three mistakes in Canadian immigration that we encounter at our firm — and the realities behind each one.
Mistake 1: Taking your time
We understand that moving to a new country can be a daunting experience, and many people prolong starting the process. We hear "I'm busy with work" or "I'm waiting for the right time" quite often. What few people realize is that with age, your eligibility diminishes.
To immigrate as a permanent resident directly, those between 20 and 35 years old earn higher points since they're considered to be in "good working ages." The older you are, the fewer points you have — which means you'll need to improve your profile in some other area: education, work experience, or English level.
Immigration processes also take time, depending on the program. Even before your application is filed, gathering the requirements takes time. You might need to complete exams, plus government processing times need to be factored in. By delaying, you're losing out on opportunities.
Take the first step of getting assessed and start planning for the long term. Immigration is an investment for generations to come, and we know you'll thank your future self that you did it. Canada is a country of immigrants — there's no reason you won't thrive just like the millions of others before you.
Mistake 2: Hiring unregulated immigration agencies
Immigration is not about filling out forms. We've had clients come to us asking us to "fix" the mistakes their previous agency made on their applications. Some families have been separated because their first agency wasn't knowledgeable enough or didn't have enough experience to understand Canada's immigration policies — which are constantly changing.
Every applicant's situation is different. By hiring licensed and regulated immigration consultants — RCICs in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) — you maximize your chances of success.
A mistake in your application can cause a refusal — or worse, inadmissibility to Canada. We really don't want that happening to anyone.
Mistake 3: Thinking Express Entry is the only way
Express Entry is a federal program that allows skilled workers to immigrate directly as permanent residents. Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies — and over the past few years the points cut-offs have only gotten higher.
Everyone's profile and life circumstances are different. There are other immigration programs out there, and the right one depends on the province you're targeting and the specifics of your profile. The benefit of working with a regulated consultant is that we're familiar with the full menu of programs. Once we assess your profile, we build an immigration plan that takes you from your current situation all the way to your Canadian citizenship application.
RCIC honest take: No regulated consultant can guarantee a draw cut-off or a specific approval. What we can guarantee is the strongest, most defensible profile we can build with the facts of your case — and an honest read on whether the timing is right.
Where to start
Getting assessed is the first step. The earlier you understand the realities of your file — what's strong, what's weak, what's fixable — the more options you have. That's true whether you're 25 or 55, single or with a family, or somewhere in the middle of your career.
If you'd like a candid review of your profile, book a free consultation and we'll tell you what we'd actually do in your shoes.