If you make sure that you have absolutely everything they ask for included with your application form and you score high in your self assessment (be honest with yourself remember, and mark low on the things like 'Personal Suitability") then you have a chance of being 'Interview Waived'. What is this? Well, it means they will accept your application without an interview and pending a clean background check and medical you have an excellent chance of being accepted.

However, if you they do send you a letter to say you are interview-waived, don't rely on it completely. They have been known to change their mind. It doesn't mean that they have found out something bad about you or that you have no chance of success, it appears to be almost random, like being audited by the tax man. They just pick so many.

From what I have heard, it appears that they are insisting on interview for just about everyone applying from China, the middle east and many other of the third-world countries. This is why it is important that you apply to an office near you. If you have applied through the Buffalo Office because you are convinced that your points are high enough not to warrant an interview it can be an expensive mistake if you guess wrong and are required to go in. Especially if you are unable to get a visa to enter the United States. You will have to ask for your file to be transferred and you effectively go back to square one time-wise. Even if you can get a visa it can cost a lot in airfare etc. If you are applying within the United States - remember every application in the US begins its life in Buffalo - and if they require an interview, they will transfer your case to a consulate or office nearer to you. Near being a relative term.

In our case we had a telephone interview which was brief and very friendly. I think they guy was just checking that we could indeed speak English as we had claimed in the form and that we were indeed running a restaurant in Iowa. Both of which points were proven the moment we answered the phone. Of course the fact that we have British accents probably confused the issue but he seemed happy enough with our explanation.

So, you are asked to appear for an interview, what can you do to prepare?

• Relax. If you had no chance at all they would not even have allowed your application to get this far. You are not on trial for your life here, the interviewer will be friendly.
• The purpose of the interview is to make sure you can speak either English or French to the degree that you have claimed in your application form. It's not an exam. They will not penalise you for accent etc. They just want to know that you can understand and be understood.
• The purpose of the interview is to find out if you are really aware of what you are getting into. It is in your interest and theirs that you understand that the streets are not paved with gold here (well except in Whitehorse so I'm told and even then you can't spend it), and that you will fit into the society and settle and be happy. Many immigrants turn around and leave again because it was not what they were expecting or hoping for. They want to save you from that. Canada wants and needs immigrants. But they want to know you are not just using Canada as a stepping stone to the US and that you are well equipped for what will probably be one of the biggest events of your life. They want you to be a happy, productive member of Canadian society. Which is what you want too.
• Bring original documents - you will have sent them photocopies of birth, marriage, divorce, educational and other papers plus passports. Now is the time to show the originals. Bring any and every proof you have about your occupation. Be ready to answer some questions about your occupation. Remember the interviewer is not an expert on your particular job but will know the kinds of questions to ask. If you feel you have not given a good enough answer ask if you can explain further about the specifics of your particular job. Remember when I said not to lie on the application form? This is where it will come home to roost if you have.
• Learn as much as possible about Canada and the area that you plan to settle in. If you have put down BC as a destination, do some homework to show that you understand what job skills are required there, what the climate is like, costs, housing. All of this information is available on the internet and if you found this site you can find the rest.
• It is possible that you will hear at the point of interview if you have been accepted or not. If so then it will take a couple of months for the papers to come through - sometimes sooner - it depends on whether the medical and background checks have been completed and also how long it takes to type up the visa.
• If this is a same-sex or common-law application interview bring photographs, bank statements, telephone bills, even Christmas cards, anything that will prove the relationship.

Next? Finances

Back to Home Page