QUESTIONS ASKED BY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS IN CANADA

Know about the interview processes and questions asked by immigration officers in Canada

Canada is a destination of endless opportunities. You can come here and build an incredible career in various sectors. If you’re a talented and hard-working individual, keen on designing a bright future for you then Canada is the place to be. Vashist Immigration is an RCIC licensed immigration consultant who can help you with the various processes related to immigration.

It is essential that you are well versed with the questions that immigration might ask you. It  is important to know that every interview experience is different and depends largely on the circumstances of the interview, the individual attending, and the CBSA/IRCC officer.

Port of Entries interviews

At borders and airports, the interview is usually conducted by CBSA officers in two parts. The first will be to review your official documents. like passport, visas, and travel documents as well as those of any family members traveling with you to ensure that you are authorized to enter Canada. They will also ask you generic questions about your health; ask you about any criminal history, the duration of your stay, if you have come to Canada before and the circumstances of your departure. The second part of the interview is a review of any items you are bringing into Canada. If you are, then they will ensure that the items are not prohibited, for instance, live animals or plants, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, or items from endangered species.  These interviews can be extremely smooth and quick if you are honest and not carrying any prohibited items. If there is an issue a secondary investigation may be launched by the officer and you may be refused to enter the country.

Interviews Conducted by CBSA in-land

Interviews can also be conducted by Canada Border Services Agency. Services. or CBSA, CBSA office classified as a non-direct point of entry providing a full range of CBSA services to the general public and to other service sites, e.g. In-bond highway, marine, rail, etc The content and experience at an interview with the CBSA officer depend largely on your circumstances. You will have to maintain a consistent theme providing truthful answers and presenting documentation that is requested of you if possible.

There are several reasons why CBSA may request your presence for an interview. Some reasons include providing you with a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment application or a decision on that application. You might also have to fill out a section 44 report (also known as an inadmissibility report). If you lose status in Canada (or if you never had status), you may be asked to report to an interview with CBSA. You might be required to bring documents with you such as valid and/or expired passports for you and all of your dependents, birth certificate identity card, OHIP card, Social Insurance Card, proof of any matters before the Immigration and Refugee Board or Federal Court, any other documents issued by the Government of Canada, any documents regarding criminal matters. At the interview, you will be asked various questions, confirming your identity, immigration history, current activities, status in Canada, and the status of any appeal you have. They will ask you about any family you have in the country.

Interviews Conducted by IRCC

Another interview process you might have to go through is conducted by IRCC. The interview is conducted when you make an application to enter Canada; you may be required to appear at an IRCC office before the visa officer assesses your application. The interviews are commonly convened for spousal sponsorship applications; IRCC may request an interview for any application. Interviews can take place in Canada or overseas. When you receive a letter requesting your presence for an interview, you are required to attend. If you are unable to attend, you must inform IRCC and provide an explanation before the date of the interview at which point, they will reschedule your interview for a different day.

The officer may ask questions such as why you want to move to Canada, religious views, hobbies, employment, and education. The visa officer will also ask questions in sync with your application. For example, if you have applied for spousal sponsorship, they will ask questions to ensure that your marriage is genuine. These questions can cover when you and your spouse met, details about each other lives and families as well as if you have consummated the relationship. The officer will most likely take down notes during the process and anything you say can be used to make a decision in your application. It is therefore important that you answer truthfully. If the officer believes you are not being truthful, your application may be declined and you may have been found to misrepresent which carries a ban from Canada for 5 years.