Whenever possible, missions finalize immigrant and non-immigrant (e.g. student, temporary worker) visa applications on the basis of objective evidence contained in documentation provided by the client. Interviews are convoked only when needed to deal with more subjective issues such as intention or credibility or to clarify ambiguous issues related to the documentation. Employing risk management principles, the visa office which receives the application determines whether a client interview is needed.
Because some types of cases are more easily resolved through documentation than others, interview waiver rates vary between application categories. For example, interviews are waived in a high percentage of spousal applications. Refugee applicants are systematically interviewed to determine their eligibility as ref-
ugees under the United Nations Convention and their admissibility to Canada as permanent residents.
Interview waiver rates also vary between visa offices. The incidence of fraud and the availability, quality and reliability of documentation vary from place to place.
In 1995, about 45 percent of the immigrant cases were finalized without an interview. Risk management practices are continually assessed and reassessed through quality assurance measures and this percentage will likely continue to increase. In no way, however, are these practices implemented at the expense of the integrity of the immigration system.
Question No. 59-