tugrularas/irccfaq huggingface dataset:
Question: How can I get my immigration application processed faster?
Answer: The time it takes to process an application varies. It depends on where you applied and your situation. To avoid delays:

include all the information we ask for with your application. Use the document checklist in the application package
tell us of any changes to the personal information on your application, such as changes to your:
    
name
contact information
family situation


make sure the photocopies and documents you give us are clear
provide certified English or French translations of original documents that you submit in other languages
tell the truth on your application

There may be delays in processing your application if: 

you do not tell us of any criminal or security problems related to it
your family situation is unclear because of issues such as
    
a divorce
an incomplete adoption
unresolved child custody issues


the office has to consult with other offices in Canada or abroad
Question: If my immigration application is refused, do I have to wait before I apply again?
Answer: If we refuse your application to come to Canada, you can apply again at any time, unless your decision letter says you can’t. You should only apply again if you can include information that you didn’t include before.
If you had legal status and lost it (for example, if your work permit expired and you did not renew it in time), you have a small amount of time to re-apply. See your decision letter for details.
Question: Can I get my citizenship application processed urgently?
Answer: Yes, we can process applications for citizenship services urgently in some situations.
We’ll review your application to see if it qualifies. Even if you qualify, we can’t guarantee we’ll process your application urgently.
Find out when and how to apply urgently to

become a Canadian citizen (grant of citizenship) 
get a Canadian citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship)
ask for a search of citizenship records
resume your Canadian citizenship
give up (renounce) Canadian citizenship
Question: How do I submit my application?
Answer: How you submit an application depends on what you apply for.
Review the program you’re interested in to get instructions on how to apply:

Visit Canada
Immigrate to Canada
Work in Canada
Study in Canada
Canadian citizenship
Refugees and asylum
Permanent resident cards and travel documents
Canadian passports and travel documents
Adoption
Question: Where are IRCC’s visa offices?
Answer: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has visa  offices around the world. We process many types of applications for  people outside Canada.
Question: How can I update or ask about an IRCC application in progress?
Answer: Follow these tips to track, update or change information about an application in progress.
Check the status of your application
Find out how to check if we received your application.
We’ll send you your application number by mail or email when

we made sure your application is complete
we begin processing your application

Once you have your application number, you can check the status of your application. There are a few ways you can do that, depending on if you applied online or on paper.
Update your application
If we need more information to process your application, we’ll contact you by mail, email or through your account.
If you have a question about our request, you can

send us your question through our web form, or
ask your question through your online account (if you have one). Upload a document with your question in place of the document we asked for

Make sure you keep your contact information updated. That way, we can contact you if we need to.
Change your mailing address
There are different ways of changing your address depending on your type of application and where you applied from.
Find out how to change your address.
Change other information
You must use our web form to tell us about changes to your situation, even if you applied online.
Examples of changes include

marriage or divorce
birth or adoption of a child
death of an applicant or dependant
getting a new passport
    
You must submit a scanned copy of your new passport.


changes that could affect your eligibility for the program you’re applying for, including changes in your
    
job situation
education
language skills


contact information updates, including
    
email
phone number



If you change your contact information, make sure you check your old contact information until we update your application.
Don’t send us changes for your contact or application information by mail. If you do, we won’t acknowledge your request or update your application. This could lead to a delay in processing your application.
Question: How do I renew my permanent resident card?
Answer: If your permanent resident (PR) card is expired or will expire in less than 9 months, you can apply for a new card. The new card will have a new expiration date. Most new PR cards are valid for 5 years.
To be eligible for a PR card, you need to

be a permanent resident and
submit your application in Canada

Find out how to submit a PR card application.
Question: What is a complete application package?
Answer: Your application package is complete once you:

answer all the questions on the application form
submit proof you paid the fees that apply to your application and
submit all needed forms and documents


If you forget to send a document and/or pay the fees that apply

we may return your application to you
your processing time may be delayed, or
we may refuse your application


To find out what you need to include so your application is complete:

First
    
read the instruction guide and the application package that includes the application forms you need to fill out and shows the fees you need to pay, or
use the Come to Canada tool to
		
find out if you’re eligible to apply
get a personalized document checklist with a list of documents you need to submit, based on your specific situation




If what you’re applying for involves travel to Canada
    
check the COVID-19 travel restrictions and exemptions to find out about any other documents you may need to include
Question: How can I avoid delays or refusals in processing my application?
Answer: To help avoid delays or a refusal, make sure that you:

carefully read the application guide for your immigration category and follow the instructions;
properly fill out, sign and date the application form(s);
if required, provide biometrics (fingerprints and photos) as soon as possible within 30 days of receiving the request;
include all the required documents as indicated on the application checklist;
pay the right fee using the correct method of payment;
include the payment with your application; and
double-check your application before submitting it.

Things that can cause delays:

Your medical and security screening takes longer than usual
We need to interview you
You communicate with us by mail instead of using an online account
You don’t respond to our requests for information quickly
High numbers of applications
Question: Who is eligible for sponsorship under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program?
Answer: To be eligible for sponsorship, a refugee applicant must:

be outside Canada, and
meet the definition of one of the refugee classes of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Two classes of refugees are eligible under the program:

Convention Refugee Abroad Class and
Country of Asylum Class.

Find out more about resettlement from outside Canada.
Question: Who decides if a refugee can be sponsored and resettled?
Answer: Sponsorship
The sponsor will present the name of a refugee or refugee family it would like to sponsor. One of our officers will decide if a group has set up the supports it needs to be a sponsor. 
Resettlement
The United Nations Refugee Agency, other referral organizations and private sponsorship groups identify and refer refugees to be resettled in Canada.
A Canadian visa officer will then decide if the person identified 

meets the requirements to be resettled, and 
will be admitted to Canada.
Question: How does Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada decide whether a refugee can be sponsored and resettled?
Answer: The decisions are based on:

documents sent by the sponsoring group, showing that it can adequately support the refugee,
supporting documents sent by the refugee about the claim for refugee protection,
other information available to the officer (such as details of conditions in the country the refugee is fleeing and in the country the refugee has taken temporary asylum), and/or
an interview with the applicant.

To be accepted for resettlement in Canada, the refugee must also pass medical and security checks. In addition, a visa officer will assess the refugee based on whether they:

are likely to establish themselves successfully in Canada,
have relatives or a sponsor in Canada,
are able to learn English or French, and
are likely to get a job.

When a family unit is applying, the officer assesses these factors for the family as a unit.
In some cases, the officer may decide that refugees urgently need protection. In that case, they are not assessed on their ability to establish themselves in Canada.
Question: Who cannot be sponsored under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program?
Answer: The following people do not qualify for private sponsorship:

people already in Canada,
people who have applied for resettlement before and who have been refused, unless
  	
their circumstances have changed,
new information that was not sent with the previous application has come to light or
Canadian laws affecting the case have changed,


people who have been given permission to live permanently in another country and
people who fled persecution or civil war some time ago, but who can now integrate into the country where they live or can return home safely.
Question: Who can sponsor a refugee?
Answer: These people or groups can sponsor a refugee:

Sponsorship agreement holders: These groups have a formal agreement with the department to sponsor refugees.
Groups of five: This is a group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents who live in the community where the refugees will settle.
Community sponsors: This is an organization, an association or a corporation based in the community where the refugees will settle.

You can find out more about each group in the Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.
Question: What are the responsibilities of a sponsoring group?
Answer: A group sponsoring refugees must do the following.

Complete a settlement plan for the refugees. The plan shows how the group will directly or indirectly help the sponsored refugees settle into their life in Canada. These include helping them to:
  
find housing that meets their needs
find English or French language training
find a job and make friends
learn about Canadian culture and values
learn about the services in their community


Financially support the refugees. Sponsoring groups must pay for all of the refugees’ needs. These can include housing, food, medical expenses, personal products and more. The groups must do this for whichever comes first:
  
one year after the refugees arrive in Canada
until the refugees are self-supporting

In rare cases, sponsoring groups may provide this help for longer. Service provider organizations also provide some services.

Live in the community where the refugee(s) will settle and provide support as needed.

Learn more:

Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program
Responsibilities of Sponsors & Availability of IRCC-funded Services for PSRs and BVORs (PDF, 254 KB)
Question: Who identifies refugees for sponsorship?
Answer: The sponsoring group identifies refugees for sponsorship and submits the refugee’s name to the Centralized processing office in Winnipeg, using the sponsorship kit. These are known as sponsor-referred refugees. They are interviewed for eligibility by an officer from a Canadian visa office after the application is submitted.
Officers from a Canadian visa office identify refugees who have been referred for resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. These are known as visa office-referred refugees. Officers interview them to find if they are eligible to be sponsored.
Before they are approved, all refugees must:

meet the medical requirements, and
have criminal and security clearance.
Question: What is the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) Program?
Answer: Under this program, sponsorship agreement holders work with us to provide additional settlement support to government-assisted refugees with special needs.
Joint Assistance Sponsorship refugees receive help under the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) such as:

services at the port of entry,
assistance with arrival procedures, and
onward flight and other transportation arrangements.

Joint Assistance Sponsorship refugees also receive income support from the Government of Canada for up to 24 months, depending on their circumstances. 
We provide income support for:

food,
shelter,
clothing, and
essential household goods. 

They are also matched with a private sponsoring group who will provide:

help adjusting to life in Canada, 
significant settlement assistance, and 
emotional support. 

See joint assistance sponsorship for details.
Question: Which visa office processes applications for permanent residence for privately sponsored refugees?
Answer: That depends on which country a sponsored refugee is coming from. The Centralized Processing Office in Winnipeg can let you know which visa office will process your application. You can also consult this list of visa offices.
See also Checking Processing Times questions
Question: How long does it take before a privately sponsored refugee gets to Canada?
Answer: It depends. Processing times vary based on where the refugee comes from and how complex the case is. You can check the application processing times on our website.
In some regions, interviews can be complicated because visa officers cannot physically reach the refugees. It can also be difficult to get documents (including proof of identity) or to identify a person’s family members. 
How quickly we can process applications also depends on:

how many applications we get
security in the region and
how quickly we can complete requirements such as security screening and medical exams.

Because of this, some cases may take longer to process than others.
To help us process these applications faster, sponsoring groups should:

include all relevant documents and

make sure all contact information is accurate and up to date for both the sponsoring group and the refugee(s) they are sponsoring.
Question: The refugee our group wanted to sponsor was refused after an interview. Can we appeal?
Answer: There is no formal appeal process. However, if you believe the visa officer made a legal error, you can send the details to the following address:

Case Management
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Jean Edmonds North Tower
300 Slater Street, 9th Floor
Ottawa ON  K1A 1L1

In some cases, you may seek a judicial review by the Federal Court of Canada. This is not an appeal on the merits of the case. Rather, this review examines the process that led to the decision, to see whether the process was fair and reasonable.
Question: Where can I find more information about applying to sponsor a refugee?
Answer: For more information:

see the Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, or
consult the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program's sponsoring handbooks.
Question: I know someone who claimed refugee status here in Canada and was refused. Can we sponsor him or her?
Answer: No, private sponsorships are intended for refugees outside Canada who meet the criteria of Canada's Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program.
Question: The UNHCR accepted my relatives as refugees. Does that mean they will be resettled in Canada?
Answer: No, it does not mean they will be resettled in Canada. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) accepts refugees who meet its requirements. Next, it refers some of those refugees to be resettled in Canada. Canada then screens them to make sure they meet:

the criteria of the Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program; and
medical, criminal and security screening requirements.

Not every person referred by the UNHCR is accepted for resettlement in Canada.
Question: Are there any fees for applying to sponsor a refugee?
Answer: No, there are no processing fees for private sponsorship applications. Applications forms are also available for free online.
Question: Will the refugee have to pay any costs?
Answer: Yes. Refugees resettled to Canada are responsible for paying for travel documents and transportation costs to Canada. To help refugees cover these costs, they are able to access the Immigration Loans Program. For more information on the loans program, see the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program handbooks.
The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) covers certain pre-departure medical services for refugees coming to Canada for resettlement. This coverage includes the following services:

immigration medical exams and follow-up treatment of health conditions that would make someone inadmissible to Canada under paragraph 38(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
vaccinations
outbreak management and control
medical support needed for safe travel
Question: Are sponsored refugee families with children eligible for a child tax benefit when they arrive?
Answer: Yes, sponsored refugee families with children are eligible for a child tax benefit when they get to Canada. Refugees should apply as soon as they arrive in Canada. It may take up to two months to process the application.
The Canada Revenue Agency can only make retroactive payments for up to 11 months from the month it gets the application. If refugees apply for the benefit after a child is one year old, they have to attach proof of birth.
More information on child and family benefits is available from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Question: Are resettled refugees allowed to go to university?
Answer: Yes, they may attend university. Resettled refugees are permanent residents on arrival and have all the rights of other permanent residents.
Question: Can resettled refugees apply for student loans?
Answer: Yes, as permanent residents, they are eligible for the same types of student loans as other permanent residents. Sponsoring groups do not have to cover tuition costs during the sponsorship year.
Question: Are there different rules if I want to sponsor a refugee from Turkey?
Answer: There are  no longer restrictions on cases that may be submitted for private sponsorship  of refugees out of Turkey. 

However,  to increase the chances of being granted an exit permit by the Government of  Turkey, sponsors should ensure that refugees are registered with the local  Turkish authorities. Please refer to Guidelines on Sponsorship out of Turkey for additional information.         

This new  procedure came into effect in September 2015 following successful  implementation of a project under which the department accepted a limited  number of applications from Sponsorship Agreement Holders for refugees in Turkey.
Question: What kinds of help do privately sponsored refugees get?
Answer: Financial help
Privately sponsored refugees get financial help from their sponsors in most cases.
The federal government doesn’t usually give financial support. There are some programs where the government helps to fund initial costs. These programs include the Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program or the Blended Visa Office-Referred Program.
Settlement services
Privately sponsored refugees become permanent residents when they arrive in Canada. They can get the same government-funded settlement services as other permanent residents, such as:

information and orientation services
help finding and keeping a job
language training
support to build connections in communities
Question: What is a government-assisted refugee?
Answer: “Government-assisted refugees” are refugees from the Convention Refugees Abroad Class. The Government of Canada or the Government of Quebec supports their initial resettlement in Canada.
Question: Why does Canada resettle refugees?
Answer: Canada resettles refugees to save lives and to provide stability to those fleeing persecution with no hope of relief.
Through its refugee protection system, Canada offers a safe haven to:

people with a well-founded fear of persecution, and
people who are outside of their country and cannot return because of that fear of persecution.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its main purpose is to protect the rights and well-being of refugees.
As part of its activities, the UNHCR refers refugees to Canada when resettlement is the best solution.
Learn more about the refugee system in Canada and our tradition of humanitarian action
Question: What kind of support do government-assisted refugees get?
Answer: The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) gives government-assisted refugees immediate and essential supports for their most basic needs.
Support services include:

greeting at the airport,
temporary housing,
help with finding permanent housing,
help with registering for mandatory federal and provincial programs,
orientation to the community, a service that includes
  	
providing contacts for safety and emergency services,
introducing refugees to the city where they have settled,
explaining
			
public transportation,
Canada's education and health care systems,
Canadian laws and customs, and
the local climate,




personal finance help in areas such as
  	
budgeting,
setting up a bank account and
using debit and credit cards,


basic "life skills" support for high needs clients, and
referrals to other refugee programs.

Canada provides income support under the RAP to eligible refugees who cannot pay for their own basic needs. Support can include a:

one-time household start-up allowance, and
monthly income support payment.

The level of monthly financial support is generally based on the prevailing provincial social assistance rates in the province where the refugees settle. Financial support can last up to one year after a refugee arrives in Canada, or until they can support themselves, whichever occurs first.
Question: Do refugees get the same support across Canada?
Answer: Support services under the Resettlement Assistance Program are the same across Canada. The monthly income support varies slightly from province to province, since it is based on provincial social assistance rates.  The monthly amount is meant to cover food, shelter and transportation.
In most cases, the first month's income support payment is larger because it includes a one-time payment to cover the basic costs of setting up a household.
Question: Do large and small families get the same amount of money?
Answer: The amounts for household start-up and monthly support vary by family size. Other special allowances may be provided, depending on circumstances.
Question: What special allowances may refugees get?
Answer: The special allowances include:

a school start-up allowance for children attending school, from kindergarten through high school,
a maternity allowance for pregnant women,
a newborn allowance for a family to buy clothing and furniture for their child, and
a housing supplement.
Question: How long does the support for government-assisted refugees last?
Answer: Financial support can last up to one year after a refugee arrives in Canada, or until they can support themselves, whichever occurs first.
Special needs clients selected under the Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program may get Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) income support for 24 months. Most government-assisted refugees, however, receive financial help for 12 months or less.
Refugees receive RAP support services within the first six weeks of arriving in Canada.