In Canada ratings are applied for on one simple form, signed by the applicant, and by the instructor/examiner.
Photocopies of the logbook entries, self certified, suffice.
Or the Pilot Training Record is sent.
The fee has to be paid online and the receipt number or a print of the receipt is sent.
An Approved Person, such as wot I were once
signs off the rating in your licence booklet, and you have that rating for ninety days within which TC should issue a sticker with the new rating to be stuck in your licence booklet.
For the CRI I had to send certified copies of my licences to the CAA... Transport Canada has this information stored on a device known as a computer database and does not need reassurance in this way.
Why does the CAA have an anti trees, modern systems policy?
Yes, anti ecology and modern methods gold plating to an extent, but UK was a part of the EU...
I flew in England 1973 to 1991, and briefly between times.
What I have come back to is astonishing and a huge shock to my system.
I do the certified true copies business for my Thai validations, and I accept it.
But there has been nothing more onerous and full of hassle and delay than the CASA (Australia) system... Hundreds of dollars wasted for nothing there!
I did get an ASIC to hang myself with if I decided it was all too much... Never got the Validation, this was to be issued after I left... They offered to date it from when I applied for it, two months or so before!
So be frustrated with the CAA, know it would be easier with the CAAT, and much worse with down under CASA.