tugrularas/irccfaq huggingface dataset:
Question: I’m a representative (or designated person). Why can’t I create an account in the application status tracker or citizenship tracker?
Answer: There could be a few reasons why you can’t create an account.


Your application isn’t in our system yet.

We recommend that you wait until you receive the acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter or email.
If you’ve received the AOR, that means
                
the application is already in our system
you’ll be able to create an account


It may take some time before you get the AOR or before the application is in our system.



The application category isn’t set up in the tracker yet.
At this time, representatives can only create

application status tracker accounts for clients who are

sponsoring or being sponsored as a spouse, partner or dependent child
applying to an Express Entry program
applying for a study permit, a work permit or a visitor visa (temporary resident visa)


citizenship tracker account for adults and minors applying to become a Canadian citizen. This does not include applications 
                
 for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members
 for adopted children born outside Canada
 to give up (renounce) Canadian citizenship
 to resume Canadian citizenship (after giving it up)
 for a Canadian citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)
 for a search of citizenship records



For other applications, find out how to check your status.


The information you gave us doesn’t match what’s in our system.
You can only create an account if the information you enter matches what was submitted on the Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] form or the Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] form.
Check the forms that were sent, and make sure you enter the same information.
Question: Why can’t I create an account in the application status tracker?
Answer: There could be a few reasons why you can’t create an account.


Your application isn’t in our system yet.
		It can take some time before we enter your information in our system. Once we do, you’ll be able to create an account.


What you applied for isn’t available in the tracker yet.
		Right now, the tracker is only for these applications:

spouse, partner or dependent child sponsorship
Express Entry
study permit
work permit
visitor visa (temporary resident visa)

For other applications, find out how to check the status.


The information you gave us doesn’t match what’s in our system.
		The information you enter to create an account must match what you submitted in your application exactly. You won’t be able to create an account if it doesn’t match. Make sure you don’t have any extra spaces before or after what you type in each field.
Question: I’m a representative/designated person. Why can’t I get my party ID?
Answer: If you couldn’t get your party ID using the tool:

Make sure your name and email address exactly match what was on the Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] form or the Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] form. 

If you used different names (for example, with and without your middle name) or email addresses over time, try getting your party ID with these. 


If you still can’t get your party ID, contact us. Include as many details as possible about the application you’re trying to access.
Question: Why can’t I see some of my client files in the permanent residence or citizenship tracker?
Answer: This could be because 

Your party ID isn’t valid any more
Your party ID may have been updated as you added new client applications to your file. 
In this case, get your new party ID and register for a new account to see your clients’ applications. 

You have more than 1 party ID
You might have more than 1 party ID, linked to different client applications. To access them:

get your party IDs

check any different names or email addresses you used in the past to find them


create an account with each party ID and log in to see the client files linked to each one

If you still can’t see some of your client files, you can contact us. Include as many details as possible about the application you’re trying to access.
Question: How are processing times calculated?
Answer: Most of our processing times are historical. This means we base them on how long it took to process 80% of applications in the past.
Your processing time starts the day we receive your complete application and ends when we make a decision on it.
Forward-looking processing times New
On May 1, 2024, some types of applications switched to forward-looking (expected) processing times. This means we calculate them using

the total number of that application type we have to process
the amount we expect to process every month

The application types showing forward-looking processing times are

Canadian experience class (Express Entry)
Provincial Nominees Program (Express Entry and non-Express Entry)
federal skilled workers (Express Entry)
Quebec skilled workers
spouse or common law partner (living inside or outside Canada)
parents or grandparents
citizenship grants
citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)

If you apply by mail
The processing time starts when your complete application arrives in our mail room.
If you apply online or in person
The processing time starts when you submit your application.
Question: I am a lawful permanent resident of the United States and have a study or work permit. Do I need to apply for an eTA?
Answer: No. As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the U.S. must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:

a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and
a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)


Complete list of acceptable status documents for lawful permanent residents of the U.S.
You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., such as one of the following:

valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)
foreign passport with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp)
foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation (“Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year”) on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stamp
expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)
expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card [green card])
valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)
Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo
Question: I’m already in Canada. How can I stay longer if I’m impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
Answer: We have special instructions for Ukrainians and their family members who are in Canada and want to extend their stay as a

visitor
worker or
student

This includes restoring your status if your status has expired or is about to expire and you want to stay in Canada longer.
Find out more about extending your stay or restoring your status in Canada.
Question: How do I check the status of my Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel application?
Answer: To check the status of your Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) application, follow these steps:

Go to the View the applications you submitted table in your IRCC Portal account.
In the row for your CUAET application, click on Check full application status under the Action column.
You’ll be able to see your application status, applicant information and estimated remaining processing time.

If there’s something new to see in your account, we’ll send you an email to let you know.
Sign into the IRCC Portal
Question: How do I upload documents to my IRCC Portal account after I’ve submitted my application?
Answer: If you applied for a visa or a study permit through the IRCC Portal, and we ask you for more documents after you submit your application, you can upload them in your IRCC Portal account.
To upload the documents in your account, follow these steps:

Sign in to your IRCC Portal account.
Scroll down to the View the applications you submitted section of your account screen.
Click the Check full application status link.
On the Application status screen, click the How to submit additional documents link.
Follow the steps to upload your information or documents.

Sign into the IRCC Portal
If you can’t submit documents from your IRCC Portal account, submit your document using our web form.
Consult also:

My documents are too large to upload. How do I reduce the file size?
I need to add more than 1 file to my online application, but there is only 1 field to upload documents. What can I do?
Question: Who qualifies as a family member of a Ukrainian national?
Answer: Ukrainian nationals and family members of Ukrainian nationals are eligible to apply to come to Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET).
A family member is defined as a

spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national 
dependent child (yours, your spouse’s or your common-law partner’s) of a Ukrainian national or 
dependent child of a dependent child of a Ukrainian national

Find out more about applying for the CUAET as a family member of a Ukrainian national.
Question: What happens if my application in the Permanent Residence Portal expires?
Answer: If your application expires, you won’t be able to

access it
submit it

Make sure you save any information you want to keep before this happens.
We only accept a certain number of applications each year for the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker pilots. Once we reach the cap

you won’t be able to submit an application if you started one
any applications you didn’t submit will expire after approximately 30 days

If you want to apply again, you’ll need to create a new application in the portal when the pilot reopens.
Question: I received an email with a link asking me to provide my banking information. Is it a scam?
Answer: A web form has been developed to securely collect banking information from clients and suppliers receiving payments or refunds from IRCC. The link to this web form is emailed to the address we have on file. For security reasons, this link is generated only for you and expires after 10 business days.
To avoid email scams, remember that IRCC never:

asks for credit card information to issue payments or refunds by email.

The Government of Canada offers electronic funds transfer (direct deposit or wire transfer).

The email you received might be a scam or a phishing scheme if:

you did not expect the email.
the email uses a standard greeting such as “Dear customer/client” instead of your real name.
you are told that your quick action is required to prevent negative consequences such as your application being cancelled or your account suspended.
the email promotes a special immigration or citizenship offer that sounds too good to be true.
the links in the email claim to bring you to a secure site, yet you are redirected to a commercial or fake site that is not IRCC’s site or a Government of Canada website.
it contains an attachment that you did not request.
the message is an image instead of text.

Common IRCC email practices

The email is usually from a do not reply account.
In the case of the web form used to collect banking information, the email is from an address ending with @bwf-feib.apps.cic.gc.ca.
Reply instructions are included in the email.

For example, if you are asked to submit additional documents, you will be instructed not to reply to the email. Instead, you will have to follow the instructions included in the email to submit the requested documents.


If you received a suspicious email, do not reply to it. You can also report the incident to:

your local police, and
the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Question: What do I do if the school I’m studying at loses its designated learning institution status?
Answer: If the learning institution you’re studying at is de-designated while you’re studying there, you can keep studying until your current study permit expires. However, you won’t be able to extend your permit unless you’re enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI).
If you’ve deferred your enrolment
If you’ve deferred your enrolment and the learning institution that issued your letter of acceptance is de-designated before you start studying, you cannot start studying at that school.
If you’re in Canada with a valid study permit
You’ll need to

apply to and be accepted at a new DLI
update the information about your learning institution in MyAccount

If your study permit has been approved but not issued yet
We’ll send you a request to provide a new letter of acceptance from a new DLI. If your study permit is approved, you’ll need to update the information about your learning institution in MyAccount.
Question: Will I still get an accelerated work permit if my claim isn’t eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada?
Answer: The accelerated work permit is for eligible claims. Depending on your situation, you may be able to apply for a work permit. We’ll discuss this with you at your scheduled interview.
Question: How long will the accelerated work permit for asylum claimants be valid for?
Answer: The work permit will be valid for 2 years from the issue date listed on it.
Question: What information do you need from me for the accelerated work permit for asylum claimants, and where do I send it?
Answer: The information required isn’t different for this process. You don’t need to submit a separate work permit application or pay any fees. A work permit application will automatically be created for you

if you requested one when you completed your claim information, or
once you submit your claim (for example, online through the Canadian Refugee Protection Portal or the IRCC Portal) and you
		
provide biometrics
complete your immigration medical exam



How to get a work or study permit when you claim refugee status from inside Canada
Question: Can I also apply for a study permit through this accelerated process?
Answer: No. Applying for a study permit is still a separate process and hasn’t changed. 
How to get a work or study permit when you claim refugee status from inside Canada
Question: My claim is pending at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Can I get a work permit extension through this accelerated process?
Answer: The process to extend a work permit has not changed. You must apply for one separately.
How to extend your work permit
Question: How long will it take for me to get the work permit under the accelerated process for asylum claimants?
Answer: A work permit application will be created if your claim has been found eligible once you 

submit your claim (for example, online through the Canadian Refugee Protection Portal or IRCC Portal)
provide your biometrics and 
complete your immigration medical exam

How long it takes to get the work permit varies depending on when an officer can complete their review of your claim. For IRCC cases, if information is missing, an officer will contact you through epost Connect or the portal.
The service standard to issue a work permit is 30 days once 

an officer completes their review and 
we receive your immigration medical exam results in the system
Question: Once I get my work permit under this accelerated process for refugee claimants in Canada, how do I apply for a Social Insurance Number?
Answer: When you get your work permit, you must then apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). You can do this online, by mail or in person at a Service Canada Centre.

Find out how to apply for a SIN
To find a local Service Canada Centre, call 1-800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)

You must provide documents to support your SIN application, including 

a work permit
a secondary document

Examples of acceptable secondary documents: 

passport 
Canadian provincial or territorial identification card or driver’s license
acknowledgement of claim document 
refugee protection claimant document
any other Canadian government-issued identification
Question: I’m applying for a work or study permit from Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and need to give biometrics, but there is no service available where I live. What do I do?
Answer: You can apply for a work or study permit online if you’ve given biometrics to IRCC within the last 10 years.
If you need to give biometrics and there is no biometric service available where you live, you usually have to find the location closest to you.
However, if you’re a resident of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, you can apply for your permit at a port of entry (POE), where we can take your biometrics.
Make sure you have everything you need to apply for a work permit or a study permit at a POE.


Ports of entry


Alberta

Calgary International Airport
Carway
Coutts
Edmonton International Airport

British Columbia

Abbotsford
Aldergrove
Boundary Bay
Douglas
Kelowna International Airport
Kingsgate
Osoyoos
Pacific Highway
Roosville
Vancouver International Airport
Victoria Ferry/Belleville
Victoria International Airport

Manitoba

Boissevain
Emerson
Sprague
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport

New Brunswick

Edmundston
Greater Moncton Romeo Leblanc International Airport
St. Stephen 3rd Bridge

Newfoundland and Labrador

Ferry Point Bridge
St. John's International Airport

Nova Scotia

Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Yarmouth

Ontario

Ambassador Bridge
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport 
Blue Water Bridge
Cornwall
Fort Frances
Hamilton International Airport
Lansdowne
London International Airport
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Peace Bridge
Pearson International Airport (Terminal 1)
Pearson International Airport (Terminal 3)
Pigeon River
Prescott
Queenston
Rainbow Bridge
Rainy River
Sault Ste. Marie
Windsor Tunnel
Woodstock

Quebec

Armstrong
Jean Lesage International Airport
Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
St-Armand
St-Bernard-De-Lacolle
Stanstead

Saskatchewan

Fortune
North Portal
Regina International Airport
Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport

Yukon

Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport
Question: My International Experience Canada application was approved, but I didn’t go to Canada. Does that count as a participation?
Answer: No. As of January 9, 2023, it only counts as a participation if you arrive in Canada and receive your work permit.
In the past, getting a port of entry (POE) letter of introduction counted as a participation. The definition of a participation changed to help youth who could not come to Canada before their POE letter expired.
If you applied before January 9, 2023
If you didn’t come to Canada before your POE letter expired, it doesn’t count as a participation. If you’re still eligible, you can create a new profile.
When to create a new profile 
You must wait until your POE letter expires to create a new profile.
Question: What should I do if my visa or permit was issued for a shorter period of time than I expected because of my biometric validity?
Answer: We can't issue a visa or permit for longer than 10 years from when you last gave your biometrics.
Once your visa or permit has been issued, we can't collect your biometrics or extend your document.
To extend your stay in Canada, apply to extend your visa or permit and give your biometrics at that time.
Find out what to do if you've been issued a permit for a shorter period of time than you expected.
Question: Should I give my biometrics again if they’re about to expire?
Answer: Your biometrics are valid for 10 years, but we can’t issue a visa or permit for longer than 10 years from the last time you gave your biometrics.
If you want a visa or permit for a longer period of time, you should give your biometrics voluntarily when you apply, even if your previous biometrics are still valid.
A visa or permit can’t be issued past the expiry date of the passport.
Learn more about how to give your biometrics voluntarily.
Question: What’s the difference between a foil-less visa and a physical visa?
Answer: The foil-less visa was introduced as a special measure for Ukrainian nationals who need a visa to travel to Canada quickly.
Both a foil-less visa and a physical visa allow you to travel to Canada and enter. However, there are some differences when getting a foil-less visa compared to getting a physical visa.
Differences between a foil-less visa and a physical visa




Document type
Physical visa
Foil-less visa




Who qualifies
All Ukrainian nationals and their family members, travelling from any country.
Ukrainian nationals with a valid passport who are travelling to Canada from Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania or Slovakia. Accompanying family members who are not Ukrainian nationals do not qualify and will need to get a physical counterfoil.


Single entry or multiple entry
Valid for multiple entries to Canada (in most cases). You can leave and return to Canada as long as your visa and passport are still valid.
Valid for a single entry to Canada. If you leave Canada. You must apply for a new visa to return.


Validity
Can be used for travel to Canada for up to 10 years or until your passport expires (in most cases).
Must be used to travel to Canada within 6 months from the date it was issued or before your passport expires, whichever comes first.


Sending your passport
You need to send your passport to a VAC by following the instructions in your passport request letter.
You do not need to send your passport to a visa application centre (VAC), but you must bring your passport and a physical or electronic copy of your foil-less visa letter when you travel to show to airline staff and a border services officer.


Preparing to travel
This is recognized as the standard format by all airlines.
Since the usual physical counterfoil will not be in your passport, we recommend you book a direct flight to Canada, if possible. This will help avoid any issues during your travel, particularly if you’re travelling through a third country.




Learn more about the foil-less visa for Ukrainian nationals, including how to request one.
Question: Why won’t my application form let me save my information or digitally sign it?
Answer: We use an Adobe certificate in our forms that lets you

save your information
digitally sign them
generate bar codes

This certificate needs to be renewed after several years to keep those features working. If you use an old form instead of downloading the most recent one, those features may not work as of January 6, 2023. This is because that’s when the old certificate expires.
If you have issues with any of those features, download a new copy of the form. You should then be able to save and sign the form.
Question: Why did the action button in my GCKey account disappear?
Answer: The action button will disappear

if your payment is declined or
if you leave the payment screen without completing the process

The button disappears to prevent you from paying for the same application more than once, but it should reappear after 48 hours.
If your action button has been gone for more than 48 hours, please submit a webform.