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forms in block letters

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sweet_love View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sweet_love Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: forms in block letters
    Posted: 21 Mar 2010 at 12:54am

Hi everyone, does block letters means ALL CAPS (Capital)... or i can also use lower case letter? (a sans-serif typeface or letter) Cool...  Thanks.

Completing the immigration forms

Complete the forms in block letters. Make sure all information is clear and easy to read.
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redeagle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redeagle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2010 at 1:05am
We had this one not long ago, block letters means individual letters, not joined up. However if you would prefure to write everything in Capitals thats your choice.

But Capital means THIS
Block means this
"Will this matter a year from now?"
Probably, this is gonna be a one hell of a long journey.
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dpenabill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dpenabill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2010 at 1:38am
Block letters refer to either upper or lower case. Any narrative answer (for example, as is the case for several items in the questionnaires) THAT IS WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS WOULD BE ANNOYING but still OK. We put many one word answers in all caps, but for any answer involving two or more words we capitalized as provided by the rules of composition generally.
Bureaucracy is what bureaucracy does, or When in doubt, follow the instructions. Otherwise, follow the instructions.



BTW: Not an expert, not a Can. lawyer, never worked in immigration
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boundary47 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote boundary47 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2010 at 2:37pm
This is typical of the many confusing aspects of applying for permanent residence.  I think many of us felt anxiety when trying to decide how to complete the forms.  Sometimes, the requirements are unclear and other times, they're contradictory.  This makes it very stressful for applicants because so much depends on our applications.

The block letters requirement is confusing partly because some dictionaries define block letters as printed or hand-printed individual, unjoined capital letters.  Others include printed or hand-printed unjoined capitals and lower case letters. CIC doesn't define this, so what should we do?

Whenever you're not sure, start by asking yourself why they may have this requirement, and it will help you to gain a little more confidence that you're on the right track. Clearly, the issue with block letters is legibility.  Some people's cursive (joined) handwriting is just plain impossible to read!  That is a very good reason for CIC to insist that applicants print in unjoined, individual letters.  But how to express that requirement?  I guess "Block Letters" is as good a description as any.

You can use the same reasoning with any of the requirements that are unclear.  Start by asking yourself what information CIC would be seeking to assess your application, and it will often become clear how to handle the question.  Certainly, ALWAYS check here if you're not sure what to do!  But by thinking about what CIC is trying to learn about you, you'll feel a lot more confidence in sifting through the suggestions you read here. And maybe even more important, your answers to the questions in the forms will be better and more informative to CIC.


Edited by boundary47 - 21 Mar 2010 at 2:38pm
B47
Jan 29 App. sent
Mar 1 Sponsor approved
Mar 9 Passport requested
Mar 24 RPR Fee paid
Apr 15 File under review
Apr 30 Decision made
May 11 Decision mailed
May 13 Visa received
May 20 Landed
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fountain_80 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fountain_80 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2010 at 5:01pm
Originally posted by sweet_love sweet_love wrote:

Hi everyone, does block letters means ALL CAPS (Capital)... or i can also use lower case letter? (a sans-serif typeface or letter) Cool...  Thanks.

Completing the immigration forms

Complete the forms in block letters. Make sure all information is clear and easy to read.
 
This requirement of filling out the form in CAPITALS is only there so that the forms are legible and easy to read when completed. Also, this requirement is mostly for the people filling it by hand; since some tend to have pretty creative writing styles.
 
If you are filling them on computer, this requirement is optional, as information will be legible and easy to read.
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redeagle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redeagle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2010 at 5:36pm
You dont even need to do it in capitals if you are writing by hand, as long as it isnt joined up, the instructions are clear........ Make sure the dude can read it !
"Will this matter a year from now?"
Probably, this is gonna be a one hell of a long journey.
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dpenabill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dpenabill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2010 at 2:08am
ditto redeagle, and boundary47 -- the requirement really only demands legible print. If it is legible, it is not as if they deduct points based on technical performance.

U.S. case law has clearly ruled that "block letters" include upper and lower case. U.S. case law is not binding in Canada.

But common sense also matters. A lot.


And for anyone who might harbor doubts still, and lean toward all CAPS in a narrative answer, think about it -- all CAPS is harder to read. Making your application harder to read will not endear a bureaucrat to your cause.
Bureaucracy is what bureaucracy does, or When in doubt, follow the instructions. Otherwise, follow the instructions.



BTW: Not an expert, not a Can. lawyer, never worked in immigration
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