The table below represents the phases of the assessment process at the CIO in Sydney, Nova Scotia Canada.

The table below represents the phases of the application process at the Canadian Visa Office once your application has been recommended for further assessment.

There are certain things you can do to help ensure that your application is processed as promptly as possible by the office:

• make sure that all the documentation and information requested is provided at the time your application is made (submitted to the visa office).
• make sure that you notify the Canadian Visa Office promptly of any and all changes to your mailing address, family composition, or any other information that is important to your application, such as additional education or work experience.
• refrain from making unnecessary inquiries to the Canadian Visa Office regarding the status of your application.

The following factors may delay the processing of your application:

• unclear photocopies of documents
• documents not accompanied by a certified English or French translation
• information and documents provided required independent verification
• a medical condition that may require additional tests or consultations
• a criminal or security problem
• family situations such as impending divorce, or custody or maintenance issues, or completion of a legal adoption
• consultation is required with other offices in Canada and abroad

The ministerial instructions do not permit the consideration of humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) requests for exemption from immigration legislation, unless the applicant meets the requirements for processing under one of the three categories identified in the Federal Skilled Worker class.

This means that requests for exemptions on H&C grounds should only be submitted to a Visa Office after you have been recommended for processing by the CIO.

Note: Requests in other classes will continue to be processed at Visa Offices.

If your application is successful, you and your family members will receive permanent resident visas. You will become permanent residents of Canada when you move to Canada within the validity of your visa(s). Some conditions will apply:

• You will remain a permanent resident until you become a Canadian citizen, as long as you spend at least two years of each five year period in Canada.
• You may leave and re-enter Canada as often as you wish.

As permanent residents, you and your family members will have the right to:

• live, study and work in Canada for as long as you remain permanent residents
• access most social benefits accorded to Canadian citizens (see Limitations).
• apply for Canadian citizenship, and if granted, apply for a Canadian passport once you have been a legal permanent resident for three of the four previous years.

There are a few limitations on permanent residents:

• You cannot vote in certain elections.
• You may be ineligible for certain jobs requiring high-level security clearances.
• If you or any of your family members commit a serious crime, you or your family members may be stripped of permanent resident status and deported from Canada.

As permanent residents, you will also have the same legal obligations as Canadians, such as paying taxes and respecting all federal, provincial, and municipal laws.

All new permanent residents will be issued a card as part of the process. Cards will be mailed to your home address soon after you become a permanent resident. For more information on the Permanent Resident Card, visit our website.

You can check the status of your application online once you receive your file number by doing the following:

1. Visit our website at www.cic.gc.ca;
2. Go to Check My Application Status in the I need to… section on the right-hand side of the page.

Your personal information is

• only available to CIC employees who need to see it in order to provide services to you, and
• not disclosed to anyone else without your written consent, unless authorized by law.

You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) on our website.

The table below shows the three ways you can contact CIC.