"Blue is the closest color to truth" — Steven Tyler

By Natoyah Alaka | 2 min read | Posted on January 21, 2025

The client’s business visitor visa application was refused.

To know the reasons for the refusal, I need the visa officer’s notes on the case.

These notes have to be requested through the ATIP department (Access To Information Privacy).

So, I sent the client an ATIP consent form for her permission to do the request.

She agrees and signs the form.

ATIP department requests another signature

I receive an email from the ATIP department that the applicant's signature looks like it has been copied and pasted from another document.

They will not proceed with providing the notes—until the applicant signs a new consent form with a handwritten signature in blue ink.

And for the ATIP department to compare and validate her signature—a signed government issued photo identification is also required.

Convenience doesn’t always merit speed

When applicants sign the ATIP consent form, they must sign it handwritten with blue ink—not copied and pasted.

This will avoid delays in the process of obtaining the visa officer case notes. 

From my experience, with no signage issues—it takes 3 weeks in total.

But for this client, a couple weeks have already passed, and we sent a new consent form today—so it may take longer.

3 Reasons Blue Ink and Handwritten Signatures Matter

1) Legal Verification and Authentication

• Confirms the applicant's direct involvement
• Provides a unique personal identifier
• Serves as legal proof of consent and agreement
• Creates a binding commitment to the information provided
• Helps prevent unauthorized submissions

2) Identity Confirmation

• Validates the authenticity of the application
• Reduces the risk of identity fraud
• Creates a verifiable link between applicant and documents
• Demonstrates personal accountability
• Helps authorities verify genuine applications

3) Document Integrity

• Shows each document has been personally reviewed
• Confirms the accuracy of provided information
• Indicates acceptance of terms and conditions
• Establishes a clear audit trail
• Helps prevent unauthorized alterations

Importance of Signatures in Canadian immigration documents

Whether submitting a visa application, supporting documents, or signing consent forms—taking the time to provide proper handwritten signatures helps avoid processing delays and potential rejections. 

Understanding and following these signature requirements is a small but significant step. Though technology continues to advance, the traditional blue ink signature remains a standard requirement for many immigration documents—serving as a reliable method of verification and authentication.

My articles

My articles are drawn from real-world experiences, handling numerous visa applications in a fast-paced corporate environment. Each insight and tip shared here comes from actual cases, challenges overcome, and solutions that work. Stay updated with practical immigration tips by following my weekly articles.

Disclaimer: The above writing is not intended to be a source of legal advice. Please seek legal advice and use your own good judgement before choosing to act on any information provided above. If you choose to rely on this article, you do so entirely at your own accountability.

Image by David Pennington