The blog below demonstrates what an applicant must do if the immigration application is returned as incomplete. Every incomplete application will be returned to the applicant alongside the letter of explanation & the documentation checklist. Read on to know more about why the applications are returned. 

IRCC notes that applicants whose application has been returned for incompletion will obtain a refund. Further, the immigration department states that refunds can take around eight weeks to complete & those who have waited longer can submit a refund request. 

Note: At the time of writing, IRCC’s help center still indicates that incomplete applications that IRCC has created a digital copy of will be returned by email. In case no digital copy has been made, candidates will obtain the return in the mail. 

Steps Needed If The Immigration Application Is Returned Incomplete

If the immigration application is returned incomplete, here is the accompanying letter & review regarding the documentation checklist to understand why the application was returned. 

At this point, when preparing to send the application back, it is vital to be sure to add any document/ information that was missing from the initial application. However, resubmitted applications can include all the same documents & payment receipts from the initial application, provided that all signatures are still valid. If needed, applicants can fill out, sign, & date new forms in case the signatures become outdated. Further, applicants have to write a letter to IRCC explaining why they are changing/ updating the information. 

Note: If the immigration application is returned as incomplete & applicants cannot provide the omitted documents requested by IRCC, then the reasons for this should be explained in the letter. 

Candidates resubmitting an application which was returned to them as incomplete should also include the explanation letter & documentation checklist as they obtained from IRCC with their resubmission. 

Key Notes About Resubmitting An Incomplete Application To IRCC

Below are the pointers highlighting vital things that candidates should remember while resubmitting an incomplete immigration application. 

  1. Recipients of an incomplete application must be sure to re-review the application guide in case anything has changed since the initial submission. 
  2. Paper candidates who obtained their returned application via email can review the steps to resubmit it. 
  3. IRCC should review resubmitted applications within 90 days of when they were signed. It is vital to note that the date of signature on the new application can’t be in the future. 

Note: The processing time for resubmitted applications only begins the day IRCC obtains the newly completed application. 

The Significance Of Submitting A Complete Application To IRCC 

IRCC provides candidates to all programs with a complete checklist to ensure that every application they obtain is finished & ready for processing. This checklist emphasizes why submitting a full & complete application to IRCC is integral. 

Moreover, specific programs, including the three programs contained within the Express Entry program, do not accept resubmissions. Instead, they require candidates to restart the process all over again. Well, the Express Entry system manages immigration applications for CEC, FSTP, & FSWP. 

Note: IRCC policy outlines that the department will, under no circumstances, accept the same application back after it was returned due to incompletion. Thus, Express Entry candidates should submit a new profile & re-enter the Express Entry pool with the hope that they once again obtain an ITA for PR. 

Submitting an incomplete application to an Express Entry program, therefore, can imply losing out on a first opportunity to apply for a Canada PR upon receiving an ITA. As obtaining an ITA for PR is not a guarantee, submitting an incomplete application could be detrimental to your prospective future in Canada.

Whether there is a sudden change in the standards of CRS scores, which is used to rank applicants against one another, or an applicant becomes ineligible for a given program under Express Entry, there are numerous factors that can make it challenging to get a ‘second chance’ at PR in Canada.        

Moreover, it is vital to do everything in your power to ensure that your application is complete, as this would go a long way towards ensuring that you do not need to restart the Express Entry procedure with a brand new profile after your first immigration application is returned as incomplete.