Any mistake while applying for a Canada visa leads to delay or rejection. From providing inaccurate documents to showing sufficient funds, applicants often make several mistakes.
Key Takeaways
- Canada has one of the highest immigration rates per capita in the world.
- Submitting incomplete application form leads to the return of your application.
- Uploading documents in incorrect format is a common mistake that applicants make.
With nearly half a million newcomers arriving every year, Canada has one of the highest immigration rates per capita in the world. With an increased security level by the IRCC, there has been a higher chance of visa rejection. Often, several qualified applicants get their visas rejected because of minor errors.
This article points out the common mistakes that people avoid while applying for Canada visa.
What Not to Do in a Canada Visa Application?
Applicants make different mistakes while applying for Canada e-Visa. The common ones are:
1. Submitting Incomplete, Inaccurate, or Mismatched Application Form
When you apply for Canada visa online, you need to fill an application form. Any mistake during that can be handy afterwards.
The Mistake
Submitting an incorrect or inaccurate application form is one of the common mistakes that applicants make while applying for visa. This makes the overall application procedure incorrect, and you might have to face the consequence. Some of the common examples include:
- Leaving mandatory fields blank (Name, DOB, travel history, etc.)
- Spelling mismatch with the passport
- DOB format error
- Incorrect entering of passport number
Probable Causes
Why do applicants make such mistakes? Well, a probable cause can be ignoring the IRCC instructions and rushing the application. This happens when someone prefers reading the guidelines from unreliable websites.
Often, applicants make mistakes while applying for Canada e-Visa they put information from memory. Like, if you do not copy the passport number from the passport, there is a high chance of putting a wrong one. If you fail session timeout during the application, the entered data might be lost and that leads to incomplete application.
Consequences
The risk level of incorrect application is high. This mistake leads to the return of your application without processing. The worst thing here is that the processing fee will be wasted.
Solutions
Here are some tips to avoid the mistake.
- Assess the official IRCC document checklist before submission
- Check every information thrice before submission
- Ensure having a reputable browser and a stable internet connection dur
2. Providing Insufficient Proof of Funds
You need sufficient proof of funds if you plan to travel Canada.
The Mistake
Applicants must prove that they can support themselves financially throughout the entire stay. If you are not capable of it, Canada might not grant you a visa. Here are the different ways the mistake looks like.
- Showing funds but failing to prove the sources
- A recent big lump-sum deposit reflecting on the bank statement
- Inconsistent income for 3 to 6 months
- Documents not in English without a certified translation
Probable Causes
If you apply for Canada visa from the UK, you need to be financially sound so that you can bear all the expenses during your stay. People with low annual income fail to show sufficient proof of funds.
People who don’t have a steady monthly income might not have regular bank deposits. This indicates insufficient proof of funds, which can create obstacles in getting your visa approved.
Consequences
This mistake comes with a high-risk level. Your application can be rejected automatically on financial grounds.
Solutions
You can fix this mistake by:
- Provide bank statements for last 3 to 6 months showing regular income activity
- Offer a clean written explanation for any large deposit recently
- Include employer letters confirming salary and approved leave
3. Applying for the Wrong Canada Visa Type
You need to choose the right visa type if you apply for Canada visa online.
The Mistake
Applying for the wrong Canada visa type is a mistake that many applicants make while applying for Canada visa. Check the different Canada visa types to understand the confusion.
| Visa type | Applicable for | Common confusion |
| Canada eTA | Visa-exempt nationals | Applied when TRV is required |
| TRV (Visitor Visa) | Visa-required nationals | Confused with study or work permit |
| Study permit | Studying in Canada for more than 6 months | People often apply for visitor visa while planning to study |
| Work permit | People working in Canada | Often, individuals try to work on a visitor visa illegally |
| Super Visa | Parents of PR holders or citizens | Confused with regular visitor visa |
Table: Different Types of Available Canada Visas
Probable Causes
The main cause behind this mistake is that applicants are not aware of the different visa types and the probable applicants. While applying for an e-Visa, people often do it without getting adequate knowledge beforehand. This leads to choosing the wrong type.
Consequences
The risk level of this mistake is high. A key consequence of this mistake is that your full application can be refused. In addition, the processing fee you have paid might get wasted. Like, eTA fees are non-refundable, whereas a partial refundable is done in case of TTRV.
Solutions
Here are some probable solutions to combat this mistake.
- Check IRCC’s official ‘Find out if you need a visa’ tool before applying
- Check your eligibility based on citizenship, purpose, and entry mode
- Verify whether you hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or prior Canadian visitor visa
4. Uploading Poor Quality Documents or Photos
While applying for Canada e-Visa, you need to upload your passport’s bio page and photo. Well, mistake regarding documents or photo upload is common among the applicants.
The Mistake
The common mistakes include:
- Cropped MRZ lines
- Blurry scans
- Wrong file size or format
- Incorrect photo upload
Probable Causes
Often, applicants cut off the Machine-Readable Zone while cropping the passport’s bio page. If the scan is blurry, reading the passport number or DOB can be difficult.
You need to maintain a definite size and dimension while selecting photos for visa application. For example, you cannot upload a file size of over 4 MB.
Consequences
The risk level of this mistake is moderate to high. Your application will not be submitted if you upload poor quality documents or photos.
Solutions
There is a chance of this mistake if you plan to apply for Canada visa from the UK. the possible solutions are:
- Ensure your passport scan is clear
- Get aware of the approved formats for documents and photos for Canada visa application
- Upload recent photos (avoid selfies)
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5. Poor Application Timing and Ignoring Canada’s Processing Windows
Wrong timing can be a huge mistake when you apply for Canada visa.
The Mistake
This probable mistakes regarding application timing and visa processing are as follows.
- Applying too close to travel date (2 to 3 days)
- Applying when passport is about to expire
- Applying during peak processing seasons (June to August)
Probable Causes
Often, people make travel decision at the last moment. This leads to making visa application without having much time in hand.
Applicants might be unaware of the processing period of Canada e-Visa. This makes them making this mistake.
Consequences
The risk level of this mistake is moderate. What you will face is getting your document delayed. Hence, you might have to bring some changes in your plan.
Solutions
Here are some probable solutions.
- Apply at least 7 to 10 days before your date of travel
- Ensure your passport having at least six months of validity
- Avoid applying during weekends as e-Visa is generally mailed within 2 to 3 business days
Planning for a Canada Visa Application?
Choose a reputable e-Visa provider. Visit their site and get aware of the entire application process so that you do not commit any mistake. Get the document mailed and ensure a hassle-free travel to Canada.
