The process of applying to Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) online is a crucial step in the immigration journey, whether you’re applying for a work permit, study permit, tourist visa, or permanent residency. It’s important to understand this process to ensure a smooth transition into your new life in Canada.
As a new immigrant, you’re not alone if you’ve encountered technical problems during the IRCC application process. Many others have faced similar issues, such as difficulties in uploading documents, gathering the necessary information, or signing into their accounts. This article aims to address these common technical problems and provide solutions to help you navigate the application process more effectively.
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Documents Downloaded From IRCC Do Not Open Or Appear Blank
A general problem for new users who cannot make available documents from IRCC can be annoying, but it comes with a simple fix.
It’s crucial to note that IRCC documents require Adobe Reader 10 or higher for accessibility. Adobe Reader, a free software by Adobe, enables users to complete and sign PDFs electronically. Other PDF users, such as those using Microsoft programs or Preview on Apple functioning systems, may either be unable to view the document or see it as a blank file. Downloading the software and opening Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada documents with it is a necessary step to ensure smooth application processing.
The “Validate” Key Does Not Function, And You Do Not See Any Barcodes
After concluding an Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada document, candidates or their representatives must tap on a button at the bottom of the form with the phrase “validate” on it. This key confirms that every detail a candidate offers satisfies the document’s setups and then develops a unique barcode for the application if this is the situation.
If the authenticate key does not function, IRCC has recognized the following troubleshooting alternatives:
- Update Adobe Reader to the current version.
- If you complete the form on a tablet or mobile phone, attempt to validate using a laptop. Barcode structures naturally do not function on other tools.
- It’s essential to ensure all details are typed within the compulsory areas marked with a *. Forms will only authenticate if the details are typed in all mandatory areas. This is a crucial step in error prevention and ensuring the smooth processing of your application.
- Review the formatting of the dates entered. The authentic setup within the form is “YYY-MM-DD. Also well, ensure that any future dates, such as when you intend to travel to Canada, do not have previous dates typed in, and vice versa
- Ensure there are no unique symbols typed into the form. IRCC forms cannot approve special characters, including spaces, in the entry areas. Taking out these characters may assist when attempting to authenticate the form.
Getting An Error When Uploading A Validated Form
When forms are uploaded to the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada system, they are reviewed using two methods to ensure that all applicable details are attached in the allocated areas. First, documents are reviewed to check if all applicable document areas have been typed within the form. Having done this, form responses are reviewed against past responses provided by the candidate to check if they align.
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Candidates may get the error text if there are any disparities or omitted details within the form.
To prevent getting this error, IRCC suggests double-reviewing the following:
- If this is the first time you forward a request to IRCC, leave the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) area blank.
- Specify whether you are still qualified to apply under the scheme under which you are applying.
- Upload the valid digital version of the form downloaded from IRCC. You are not required to physically sign the form when applying online, as Adobe Reader offers a digital signing character.
- Ensure that your browser is up-to-date with the current version.
- Check your documents to ensure that none of them have expired.
Documents Are Too Big To Upload
Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ‘s online services have size restrictions on the file on uploaded documents supporting a request. Based on the forum utilized, these size restrictions differ between two and four megabytes.
So, if a file is more significant than this endorsed cap, the candidate cannot upload it. Hence, IRCC suggests certain stages to decrease the size of files in the following setups, which have been connected here: PDF, DOCX, JPG, DOC, PNG, and TIFF.
Furthermore, in addition to these alternatives, most different programs and requests work to compress file sizes in various setups. Hence, new immigrants must be knowledgeable that these programs may have guidelines concerning access and use of user details. IRCC does not suggest the uses of these schemes and requests.
The Online Application Is Down
Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada differentiates between booked and unbooked downtime for online requests. During the booked downtime, the division often executes maintenance on its online services. During these periods, candidates will naturally be required to wait for some hours and will usually view messages on websites resulting in the request or sign-up websites. These messages are also often displayed above the necessary buttons.
During the unbooked downtime, the division is dealing with a technical problem that has triggered the system to drop. During these periods, IRCC suggests checking into their X previous Twitter account, where they will publish additional updates on the condition as it unfolds.
Technical Problems Continue
If you have steady technical problems that are hard to resolve, even via these methods, IRCC recommends reaching out to them directly through the IRCC web form. The Web Form is an online request that the unit operates that authorizes candidates to raise problems or questions concerning a specific request or issues relating to online services.
New immigrants must attach as many details as possible when presenting a webform application. IRCC takes an average of 30 days to respond via this medium, although this can vary depending on the difficulty of the application and whether additional details are required.
If your question concerns the time your request has been processed, IRCC will not answer your web form application if your request is still within official processing time restrictions. Again, remember that the unit may take five working days to update the details presented via the web form.
IRCC also suggests using the web form if you do not view an “upload” option on your protected IRCC account or portal.
