Question: What do I do if I realize I’ve made a mistake on my immigration application?
Jennifer’s Answer: I usually advise a three-step response:
- Investigate whether you in fact did make a mistake (calmly go back through the requirements and your submission, seeking professional input where necessary, and identify the extent of the error);
- Find options or solutions to the mistake, including what potential consequences you may face and possible remedies;
- Choose the solution that will benefit you most – what I call “the wisest decision in your given situation.”
Some of the most common errors we have seen when it comes to clients handling mistakes on their immigration applications include:
- Refusing to believe that they made a mistake;
- Refusing to come clean with their mistake – for example, insisting they did not lie on their application;
- Avoiding prime solutions because of potential costs, such as loss of employment, personal embarrassment, loss of reputation, financial expenses, and so on;
- Cutting corners to try to fix the mistake without any associate cost, and committing another resulting mistake.
The Immigration Refugee Protection Act has specific provisions such as section 24 and section 25 to redeem mistakes made by applicants – innocent or otherwise – because we all make mistakes at some point. However, if you try to cover up your mistakes, that is considered a grave sin against Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (officially, it is called “misrepresentation”). Sometimes, the original mistake is not a significant one, but the fact that you tried to cover it up can become a big problem.
Before taking any steps in your application & risking making any potential mistakes, it is highly recommended you seek professional opinion on your application & unique circumstances. Contact us at contact@jrlawoffice.com or 519-744-3570 to set-up a consultation. We’re here to help!
— Jennifer Roggemann
Please note that this posting is for general information only and is not to be considered binding or official legal counsel since situations will vary and can be complicated. The content in this post is current as of the day of entry. Due to the changing nature of Immigration law, the information in this entry may or may not still be applicable.