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Surviving the immigration interview |
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For would-be immigrants to Canada, possibly the most nerve-racking part
of the application process is the selection interview. In a majority of
cases that get to this stage, it can be the deal-breaker: your
application either gets approved, or it doesn't.
It's hardly surprising that most immigration applicants would rather
not be subjected to the interview. The fact is, a significant number of
people are given an interview waiver. These are people who quite easily
make the grade on the points requirements and whose personal and
employment backgrounds appear to make them a good fit in Canadian
society.
What if you aren't one of those lucky ones? Well, don't lose heart - a majority of applicants are in the same boat as you.
Generally speaking, you will be given a date and time to appear for the
interview. If you are married, your spouse and children over the age of
18 may also be required to attend.
The interviews are almost always scheduled at the visa office where you
have applied, so it is very important to have submitted your
application in a country where you have no problems travelling to.
(This is really important. We've heard of a number of cases where
people applied to the visa office in Buffalo, New York, only to find
their applications for a US visit visa turned down).
So what exactly is the selection interview all about? This is primarily
to verify that the information you have provided (training, experience,
financial balance sheet) is accurate, and to assess your language
skills and ability to establish yourself successfully in Canada.
Not too long ago, the interviewing officer was permitted to award up
to 10 additional points - a potential deal-clincher - but this power has since been rescinded. However the immigration officer continues to have wide discretionary powers with regard to how many points your individual qualifications and situation rate, so it's
obviously very important that you are able to present yourself in the
best light at this interview.
A few things to note before you head for the interview:
- Dress appropriately. Treat this like a very important job interview. No jeans, no casual clothes. Dress formal, or at the very least, dress smart.
- Be on time. Head out early, you never know if traffic is
snarled up ahead. The last thing you want is to make a poor first
impression by being late.
- Go prepared. Rehearse answers to all potential questions
you could face. You will be asked to bring along certain documents with
you - carry all these as well as any other papers you think might be
relevant. Organize them in a way that they are easy to find. Brush up
on basic Canadian facts (name of the Prime Minister, major Canadian
provinces and cities etc).
Expect the interview to last anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour.
The immigration officer will go through your file and ask for
supporting documentation or elaboration on information you have
provided. Listen to the questions carefully, and answer honestly and to
the point. Get caught out in the smallest lie and you risk your
application being rejected right away.
The questions will cover a wide range of topics, from the reasons you
want to immigrate, to what you would do if you can't find a job in
Canada. (See
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