Upon receiving your incomplete application, read the accompanying letter and review the included document checklist to understand why you received the return and what exactly was omitted.
At this time, when preparing to send your application back, be sure to add any document or information that was missing from your initial application. Resubmitted applications can include all the same documents and payment receipts from the initial application, provided that all signatures are still valid. If necessary, because of outdated signatures, applicants can fill out, sign and date new forms.
Next, write a letter to IRCC that explains why you are changing/updating your information.
Note: If your application was missing documents when returned as incomplete, and you cannot provide the initially omitted documents requested by IRCC, the reasons for this must be explained in the letter.
Applicants re-submitting an application that was returned to them as incomplete must also include the explanation letter and document checklist that they received from IRCC with their resubmission.
Key notes:
- Recipients of an incomplete application should be sure to re-review the application guide in case anything has changed since their initial submission
- Paper applicants who received their returned application by email can review the steps to resubmit their documents
- Resubmitted applications must be received by IRCC within 90 days of when it was signed; it is important to know that the date of the signature on the new application can’t be in the future (postdated)
Additionally, certain programs – including the three programs* contained within the popular Express Entry application management system – do not accept resubmissions and instead require applicants to restart their process all over again.
This means losing out on a first opportunity to apply for Canadian PR after receiving an ITA.
