As a highly developed nation, Canada offers exceptional social welfare benefits. It is favored by those who genuinely wish to immigrate to Canada, as well as those who view Canada as a stepping stone to more easily obtain a U.S. Green Card. Regardless of the motivation, the majority of Canadian immigration applicants choose Quebec because it is located in eastern Canada and offers a much more lenient immigration policy compared to other provinces, characterized by lower thresholds and higher approval rates.
Statistics from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration (MIDI) confirm that, to date, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program has received 1,200 applications for the 2016 quota, partly due to the application fee increase effective January 1, 2017. Statistics show that 1,800 applications were processed in 2016, with 900 receiving approval. Excluding specific cases that were abandoned or closed, the official approval rate is approximately 69%, which is very close to its target of 70%!
Analysis of Reasons for Refusal
I. Misrepresentation
Although "misrepresentation" may at first glance seem to imply that an applicant intentionally withheld or forged certain documents, it sometimes stems from an applicant misreading a question on a form, omitting information, or misunderstanding the instructions—all of which are preventable errors. If a case is determined to be a "misrepresentation," not only will the application be refused, but the applicant may also be barred from reapplying for two years (five years in the case of Quebec immigration).
II. Inadequate Documentation Experience
Inadequate documentation experience first refers to the failure to strictly verify the authenticity and completeness of the applicant's materials. It also refers to the ability of an experienced document specialist to organize an application that is consistent with objective facts while remaining clear and logically sound (this is particularly evident in the sourcing and calculation of net assets, which will be discussed further later).
Therefore, the experience and proficiency of the document specialist play a decisive role in both the initial review of the application materials by the immigration bureau and the success of the interview.
III. Health Factors
All immigration applicants and their accompanying dependents must pass a medical examination to confirm that their health will not place an undue burden on the Canadian healthcare system. The examination must be performed by a panel physician designated by the immigration department. Once a family member fails the medical exam, the entire family's application may be refused.
For example, patients requiring medication for diabetes or Hepatitis A may be viewed by an immigration officer as a burden on the healthcare system, resulting in a visa refusal. To avoid this, a report from a specialist regarding the applicant's condition can sometimes help avoid the need to repeat the examination or prevent delays and refusals.
IV. Immigration Officer's Judgment
In the vast majority of cases, immigration officers follow the regulations and procedures set forth by the immigration department to process applications in a consistent manner. However, sometimes officers may view issues from different perspectives, leading to opposing conclusions and the refusal of certain applications. In these instances, one may retain a lawyer to seek redress through judicial channels.
Therefore, the way to improve the success rate of the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is clear. Naturally, the most important step is to choose an excellent immigration agency.