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Selection Interviews and Interview Waivers

The Selection Interview

The selection interview is a very important aspect of any application for permanent resident status in Canada. You, the applicant, may be required to meet with a representative of the Canadian and/or Quebec government (for applicants destined to Montreal or another city in the Province of Quebec) in order to discuss your qualifications for immigration to Canada. Although interview waiving is becoming more common for Skilled Worker applicants, the selection interview remains the usual procedure for the majority of applicants worldwide. If you are required to attend an interview at a Visa Office which often waives interviews, this does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with your application. It could simply mean that the Visa Office is auditing its interview waiver procedures for the purposes of quality control. 

The selection interview is designed with three primary purposes in mind: 

1. To verify information presented in your application; 

2. To determine your "personal suitability" plus that of your dependants; 

3. To counsel you and your family once you have been approved for entry into Canada. 

Regarding the first point, the immigration officer must determine the accuracy of all facts presented in your application. During the interview, your supporting documentation may be examined, your language proficiency may be assessed, and you may be asked to elaborate on information presented in your written application.  

The issue of personal suitability, seemingly vague in its terminology, does have some degree of foundation in the selection guidelines which are used by immigration officers. There are several specific qualities and attributes, such as motivation and resourcefulness, which are sought in applicants; these are assumed to reflect the individual's ability to successfully settle in Canada.  

Keep in mind that the immigration officer possesses wide discretionary authority. If, in his or her judgment, you would make an ideal candidate for entry into Canada, the officer may use this authority to admit you even if you would not otherwise qualify. Likewise, the immigration officer may feel that there are reasons that may prevent you from becoming successfully established in Canada and can thus use the same authority to refuse your application.  

Once an immigration officer has determined that you are qualified for immigration to Canada, the selection interview becomes an opportunity for the immigration officer to provide you with information concerning your upcoming relocation. This may include information about living and/or working conditions in the area where you intend to reside


Will I be interviewed by an immigration officer?

Most Skilled Worker applicants for permanent resident status are required to attend a selection interview with an immigration officer. Such interviews are held to ensure the information in the application is accurate, to verify documentation, to test language ability, and to help applicants relocate to Canada.

Visa offices may grant certain Skilled Worker candidates an interview waiver, depending on the qualifications of the applicant, the quality of the supporting documentation, and the overall credibility of the applicant. The likelihood of an interview waiver varies from one visa office to another.

Almost all applicants under the Business Immigration Program will be required to attend a selection interview.

What is a security interview?

In a small percentage of applications, an interview is held to evaluate security issues such as espionage, subversion or terrorism. These interviews are usually held after a selection interview, and may also be held in cases where a selection interview is waived.

When is the selection interview held?

Depending on how many applications are before yours at the visa office and which visa office has your file, it might take as little as four months to get an interview, or it might take as long as 30 months. Usually, though, the selection interview takes place about two-thirds of the way into the application process.

Is there anything I can do to obtain an interview waiver?

Applications which are complete in every detail increase the chances of an interview waiver. However, interview waivers are granted at the discretion of the immigration officials. It is not possible to apply specifically for a waiver. Even if an interview is waived, you may still be called to an interview, generally for quality assurance purposes.

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