Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently published a detailed 447-page training manual aimed at guiding immigration officers through the assessment of permanent residence (PR) applications. The document includes case studies and recommended outcomes, offering insight into frequent errors that applicants make—many of which can lead to additional scrutiny or outright refusal.
Below is a summary of some of the most common pitfalls applicants should steer clear of:
1. Choosing the Wrong NOC Code
IRCC officers don’t rely solely on job titles—they closely examine job duties to verify alignment with the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system’s lead statements and core responsibilities. Selecting a NOC code that doesn’t match your actual job duties can lead to refusals.
Example: Diana, from the Philippines, listed her job as a Contact Centre Supervisor, but her actual duties matched those of a Complaints Clerk – Customer Service, which undermined her application.
Tip: Always match your job duties to the correct NOC code (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/noc) rather than relying on job titles alone.
2. Failing to Declare Changes in Personal Circumstances
Any change—such as marital status, employment, or dependents—must be disclosed after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Failure to do so can be considered misrepresentation, which carries a potential five-year ban from Canada.
Example: Amar got divorced after receiving his ITA, but didn’t declare the change. His new CRS score dropped below the required cutoff, and his application was denied.
Tip: Be honest and upfront. If your circumstances change, report them immediately—even if it means falling out of the pool temporarily.
3. Inadequate Proof of Work Experience
Candidates must provide valid documentation proving they meet minimum work experience requirements—usually one year of continuous, paid work within a specific timeframe.
Example: Despite having a long acting career, Om Kapoor couldn’t show one year of continuous experience within the past 10 years, leading to a refusal.
Tip: Double-check the program-specific work experience requirements and ensure your documentation aligns with them.
4. Submitting Expired or Invalid Language Test Results
Language test results must be taken from IRCC-approved testing organizations and be valid at the time of submission. Most are valid for only two years.
Example: Laura submitted her PR application with a language test that had expired by the time she filed. Her application was refused despite her scores meeting the criteria when taken.
Tip: Confirm that your test is accepted for PR (not just for study permits) and is still within the valid period. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/language-requirements.html.
5. Misunderstanding Program Eligibility
Applicants must fully understand the eligibility requirements of the immigration program they’re applying under.
Example: Auston claimed CEC eligibility based on research work done while studying. Since CEC excludes full-time work completed during full-time studies, his experience didn’t count—even though it was paid and documented.
CEC Work Experience Requirements include:
- Must be paid and full-time (or equivalent part-time)
- Cannot be from full-time study (even co-op)
- Must be within TEER 0-3 under the NOC
- Must be authorized and physically done in Canada
Tip: Review eligibility details thoroughly or consult a regulated immigration consultant or lawyer. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/canadian-experience-class.html.
6. Overlooking Medical or Police Inadmissibility Issues
Even fully qualified candidates may be refused PR due to inadmissibility linked to medical, criminal, or security grounds—sometimes even based on accompanying family members.
Example: Apu met all CEC criteria, but his wife’s medical condition (potential kidney failure) led to a finding of medical inadmissibility, which made him ineligible too.
Tip: Know that dependents’ health or background can impact your own application. If inadmissibility arises, legal options may exist under humanitarian and compassionate grounds or by proving limited burden on Canada’s healthcare system. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-temporary-residents.html.
Final Thought:
While Canada offers many pathways to permanent residency, PR applications are often refused due to technical or documentation-related mistakes. Avoiding these errors—especially those outlined in IRCC’s training manual—can significantly improve your chances of success.
For tailored guidance, consider working with a licensed immigration consultant or immigration lawyer.
IRCC shares common mistakes in PR applications — here’s what to avoid | CIC News
