tugrularas/irccfaq huggingface dataset:
Question: Do you accept certificates from private language schools as proof I meet the citizenship language requirement?
Answer: No. If you have taken private language classes, those classes are not enough to prove that you speak French or English well enough to apply for Canadian citizenship. You must take an IRCC-approved third-party language test. If you achieve CLB/NCLC 4 or above on this test, submit the  results with your citizenship application.
Question: When do I know if I passed the citizenship test?
Answer: We’re now inviting applicants to take the citizenship test online.
In-person tests may also be available if you need an accommodation.
For the latest instructions, wait for and check your invitation.
You need to get at least 15 out of 20 questions correct to pass the test.
Online test
You’ll get your unofficial test score right after you submit the test.
After your test, we’ll need time to review your answers and the information you submitted before the test. It can take several months before the test score becomes official.
Learn more about how we review your online test result.
In-person test
You’ll get your official test score right after you take the test.
Question: I am outside Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada?
Answer: You need a valid permanent resident (PR) card to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. If you know your card will expire when you’re travelling, renew it before you leave. You can only renew your card in Canada. We don’t send PR cards to non-Canadian addresses and we don’t allow third parties to get them for you.
If you’re outside Canada and don’t have a valid PR card, you need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada. You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada. If you try to return to Canada without a PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to take your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.

Returning by private vehicle
There are other documents you can use to enter the country.
When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.
Some examples of private vehicles include, but are not limited to: a car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent, and that is not available for public use.
Returning by commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat
You must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD), valid for one entry. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.
You can apply to replace your PR card when you return to Canada.
Question: How do I make a refugee claim in Canada?
Answer: If you’re already inside Canada, you should submit your refugee claim online.
Question: I already made a refugee claim. What happens now that we submit claims through the IRCC Portal?
Answer: We’ll still review your refugee claim and decide if it’s eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
You don’t need to submit a new refugee claim through the IRCC Portal if you already submitted a claim

through the Canadian Refugee Protection Portal
by email
through Canada Post’s Connect
in person before March 17, 2020
Question: Can my refugee claim be rejected based on what I write in the Basis of Claim form?
Answer: No. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada uses the information you provide on the form to prepare for and conduct the hearing properly.
Question: I am a refugee and I need to travel outside Canada. What documents do I need to travel?
Answer: You need to get a Refugee Travel Document from Passport Canada. It is recognized in all countries as a valid travel document. However, you cannot use it to travel to the country that you are a citizen of or the country of claimed persecution.
If you are a:

Convention refugee, or
person in need of protection,

you will need a Refugee Travel Document.
To apply, you will need to give Passport Canada proof of your status in Canada. You will need either:

a letter from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB);
a confirmation of permanent residence; or
a Verification of Status (VOS) document.

If you are a Convention refugee, you should have a letter from the IRB. If you need to replace a lost letter, please contact the IRB.
If you are a protected person who was selected overseas and resettled as a refugee in Canada, you should have either a Confirmation of Permanent Residence document, or a Permanent Resident Card. If you need to replace an expired, lost or stolen Permanent Resident Card, you can apply for a new one.
If you are a protected person with a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) decision, you should have a VOS. If your PRRA result was before December 17, 2012, and you did not get a VOS, or if you lost it, you can apply for a new one.
Question: What can I use to prove my status in Canada as a refugee or protected person?
Answer: If your claim for refugee protection is accepted by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), you will get a formal letter or document that you can use to prove your status.
If you are a protected person who was selected abroad and resettled as a refugee in Canada, you will get a document called a “Confirmation of Permanent Residence.” Later, you will be sent a Permanent Resident Card (also called a PR card).
If you are a protected person because you got a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, you will get a document called a “Verification of Status.”
Each of these documents can be used to prove your status in Canada.
Question: My application was refused. Can I get a refund?
Answer: In most cases, no. Your application fees can’t be refunded once we start processing it. There are some exceptions. When an application is refused or withdrawn, we will refund:

the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF)
the right of citizenship fee
the open work permit fee (for Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt workers only)
the employer compliance fee (refunded to the employer), and
International Experience Canada (IEC) fees (See refunds for IEC).
Question: If I withdraw my application, will I get a refund?
Answer: In most cases, you can only get a refund if you withdraw your application before we start processing it. 
If we have already start processing your application, we can only refund:

the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF)
the right of citizenship fee
the open work permit fee (for Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt workers only)
the employer compliance fee (refunded to the employer), and
International Experience Canada (IEC) fees (See refunds for IEC)

You can request a refund online. If we started processing your application, submit your withdrawal request using our web form.
After you submit a request, we will contact you if we need more information and to update you on the status of your request.
Question: I submitted an application but want to change programs. Can I apply the fees I already paid to my new application?
Answer: No. If you want to apply under a different program, submit a new application and pay the fees again. If you withdraw your first application before we start processing it, you will get a refund.
International Experience Canada (IEC) applicants: See refunds for IEC.
See also: If I withdraw my application, will I get a refund?
Question: I paid my fees online but decided not to submit an application. Can I get a refund?
Answer: Yes. Find out how to request a refund.
Question: I didn’t pay enough for my application. What can I do?
Answer: You have 2 options.
Option 1: Pay the difference
For citizenship or immigration applications, you can make an additional payment online. Include both receipts with your application.
We will accept more than one receipt for the same application if they add up to the right amount.
Option 2: Request a refund
You can request a refund for your payment and pay again. Make sure you pay the right amount and include the receipt with your application.
Question: I paid too much for my application. Can I get a refund?
Answer: Yes. After your application is processed, we will confirm your overpayment and refund you the difference.
Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds for eTA applications.
Question: I paid online for the wrong fee but the amount is correct. What should I do?
Answer: You can submit your receipt with a different application if the amount is the same. Your receipt is not linked to the service or application you selected.
Question: How do I ask for a refund if I paid my fees online or at a bank in Canada?
Answer: You can request a refund online if you have your receipt number. After you submit a request, we will contact you if we need more information and to update you on the status of your request.
If you used a credit card or a prepaid card to pay, we  will issue a refund to the same card. Keep it until the refund is complete to  prevent delays. If we can’t refund your payment to your credit card, we will  issue a cheque.
If you paid at a bank in Canada or with a debit card, we will issue a cheque.
Refunds can take up to eight weeks to process.
Find out how to get your receipt number if you don’t have it.
International Experience Canada (IEC) applicants, see refunds for IEC
Question: What is the difference between the Change of Address and the Address Notification online services?
Answer: Address Notification
Use the Address Notification service if you’re an immigrant who has just arrived in Canada as a permanent resident. This will make sure you automatically get your permanent resident card.
If we don’t get your address within 180 days of the date you entered Canada, you’ll have to re-apply for a permanent resident card and pay the fee.
Change of Address
Everyone else should use the Change of Address service to tell us their new home or mailing address. For more information, see “Who can use the Change of Address online service?”
Question: Who can use the Change of Address and the Address Notification online services?
Answer: Use the Change of Address and Address Notification service if you meet all the following criteria:

your case is being processed in Canada,
your address is in Canada,
you’re moving within 3 weeks or have already moved
you must also have either:
		
sponsored a member of the family class,
applied for permanent residence from within Canada,
applied for a permanent resident card,
applied for Canadian citizenship (for yourself or for a person adopted by a Canadian citizen),
applied for a citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship), or
applied to renounce or resume Canadian citizenship.
Question: Who cannot use the Change of Address online service?
Answer: Don’t use the change of address online service if you recently immigrated to Canada and need to tell us your new address to receive a Permanent Resident (PR) Card. In this case, use the Address Notification online service. 
If you don’t have an active permanent resident application, use this Web form to tell us of a change of address.
Question: Can I email my new address to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)?
Answer: No, you can’t email us directly with your new address. Find out how to change your address.
Question: How long does it take for a new or updated address to appear online?
Answer: If you change your address, allow 5 business days for the changes to appear online. The Call Centre won’t be able to confirm your address was updated until you wait 5 business days.
Question: Why does it take 5 business days for address changes to appear online?
Answer: It can take up to 5 business days for your address changes to be processed and to appear online because of the high number of requests for address changes.
Question: I am in Canada temporarily, as a worker, visitor or student. Why can’t I change my address online?
Answer: Since work permits, study permits, and visitor records are processed and closed on the same day they cannot be accessed through this service. You can change your address using this Web form.
Question: When should I tell Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that I am moving?
Answer: Tell us no more than 3 weeks before you move to make sure all your letters from us go to your new home or mailing address.
Question: How can I check that my address has been updated?
Answer: Wait 5 business days for your new address to be updated. After 5 business days, you can check it by going into Address Notification or Change of Address.
Question: I have changed my address online but I can’t see the changes. What should I do?
Answer: Do the following steps.

Make sure your home address is in Canada and that your case is being processed in Canada.
Make sure it has been 5 business days since you gave us your new address information.
If you are a new permanent resident, tell us your new Canadian address through Address Notification. All other clients should use Change of Address (see “Who can use the Change of Address and the Address Notification online services?” for details).

If you followed these steps and your address isn’t updated, contact us.
Question: How can I change the address of other people who were included in my immigration or citizenship application?
Answer: When you use the change of address or address notification service, we’ll ask you to enter the names of the people in your application who are also moving to the same new address.
Question: Do I have to enter a change of address for each dependant?
Answer: Yes, you have to enter a separate change of address for each dependant.
Question: Do I have to enter an address notification for each dependant?
Answer: Yes, you have to enter a separate address notification for each dependant.
Question: Which applicants can access the Change of Address or the Address Notification online service?
Answer: Only the principal applicant (the person who submitted the immigration or citizenship application) can use the Change of Address service. This is a security feature to protect your identity and your information.
Question: I live outside Canada. Can I update my mailing or home address online?
Answer: If you live outside of Canada, you can’t update your mailing or home address online. You'll need to contact us to get your address updated.
Answer a few questions and find out how to contact us to change your address.
Question: I changed my address in CAS. Do I need to change it in Change of Address or Address Notification, too?
Answer: No. Your address will be changed in Client Application Status (CAS), Change of Address and Address Notification. CAS will allow you to: 

follow the status of your application online and
view and modify the address that we have on file.

Note: You need to wait 5 business days for a change to appear in either CAS or Change of Address.
Question: If I remove my application status from the Internet on CAS, can I still use Change of Address or Address Notification?
Answer: No, you can’t view, modify and update both your home and mailing addresses through Change of Address or Address Notification.
If you removed your online CAS access and would like to use Change of Address or Address Notification, contact us online through our Web form.
Question: I can’t access Change of Address or Address Notification. What should I do?
Answer: Go through the following steps.

Open the tool you want to access (either Change of Address or Address Notification) through the My immigration or citizenship application page.
Make sure the date of birth you are entering in Change of Address exactly matches the information on your application, passport and identity documents. Use the format as specified.
Make sure the place of birth you are entering in Change of Address exactly matches the information on your application, passport and identity documents. Use the format as specified.
Check the spelling and order of your names on any letters from the visa office or case processing centre, and on your passport and other supporting documents.
Check who can use the Change of Address and Address Notification services.

If you’re still having problems accessing the online services, contact us.
Question: Do I need a language test to immigrate to Canada?
Answer: Many economic immigration programs require a language test to qualify. You’ll need to:

schedule your test with an approved agency
pay the test costs


Programs that require a language test

Agri-food pilot
Atlantic Immigration program
Caregivers
Economic Mobility Pathways pilot
Express Entry
Federal Internship for Newcomers program
Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents
Rural and Northern Immigration pilot
Self-employed Persons program 
Start-up visa program


What to include in your application
If you’re applying for Express Entry, you’ll enter your test scores directly into your profile.
If you’re applying any of the other programs above, include a copy of the test results with your application.
These results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. Keep a copy of them for your records and future use.
Language tests we accept
You can take any of these approved language tests:
English

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

You need to take the CELPIP – General test.


IELTS: International English Language Testing System

You need to take the IELTS General Training test.


PTE Core

French

TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
TCF Canada : Test de connaissance du français
Question: What are the language requirements to immigrate under the program for self-employed people?
Answer: If you applied as a self-employed person on or after March 3, 2011, you must include the results of an English or French language test with your application. This will ensure your language skills are considered when we assess your application.
It must be a third-party language test from an agency approved by IRCC.
This rule applies to all self-employed applicants who want to claim points for their language skills.
Question: How can I qualify for the Start-up Visa Program?
Answer: To qualify for the Start-up Visa Program, you must meet all 4 eligibility requirements, as well as the admissibility requirements to enter Canada.
Eligibility requirements for the Start-up Visa Program
You must:

have a qualifying business
have a letter of support from a designated organization
meet the language requirements, and 
have enough money to settle and live in Canada before you make money from your business

Admissibility requirements to enter Canada
To be eligible to come to Canada, you must meet the admissibility requirements to enter Canada. These apply to all applicants, not just Start-up Visa Program applicants.
We may refuse your application if you are inadmissible to Canada.
Question: How can I get support from a designated organization?
Answer: You need to contact the designated organization to find out how to get its support.
You need to convince the organization that you have a business idea that is worth supporting.
The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.
If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, it will send you a letter of support. You need to include this letter when you submit your application to us. This is the proof you need to show that the venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator is supporting your business idea.
The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to us. We’ll use both your letter of support and the organization's commitment certificate to assess your application.
Question: What level of language proficiency do I need for a start-up visa?
Answer: To apply for a start-up visa, you must show that you have reached Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
With your application, you must submit the results of a third-party language test that show that you meet the requirement.
Find out more about the Start-up Visa Program’s language requirements.
Question: How much money do I need to cover living expenses when I get to Canada through the Start-up Visa Program?
Answer: The amount of money you need depends on how many family members will be coming with you.
In some cases, the designated organization may give you additional money to help cover your living expenses. You can’t use the investment money for your start-up business to cover your living expenses.
Question: What is an essential person under the Start-up Visa Program?
Answer: An essential person is considered to be critical to the business and will be specifically identified as essential by the designated organization on the commitment certificate and letter of support.
If we refuse the application of an essential person, all related applicants will be refused.
Question: Can an entrepreneurial team immigrate to Canada together through the Start-up Visa Program?
Answer: Yes. Up to 5 people can apply through the Start-up Visa Program as owners of a single business.
When reviewing your proposal, the designated organization will decide who is essential or non-essential to the business. An essential person is critical to the proposed start-up. Without this person, the designated organization would not invest or support the proposal.
If we refuse the application of an essential person, all related applicants will be refused.
Find out more about the eligibility requirements.
Question: What is the minimum investment that I need to apply through the Start-up Visa Program?
Answer: If the investment comes from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, you must secure a minimum investment of $200,000.
If the investment comes from a designated Canadian angel investor group, you must secure a minimum investment of $75,000.
You don’t need to secure a financial investment from a business incubator. You must be accepted into a Canadian business incubator program.
See the list of designated organizations for more information.
Question: Why is there a different minimum investment from a venture capital fund and an angel investor group?
Answer: Angel investors usually invest their own money into a start-up business. Venture capital funds are limited partnerships that have a fund of pooled investment capital to invest in a number of companies.
Also, angel investor groups invest in companies at an earlier stage of development, compared to venture capital funds.
Minimum investment amounts are determined based on consultation with industry associations and represent typical investment amounts in each industry.
See the list of designated organizations for more information.
Question: Do I have to invest my own money if I want to apply through the Start-up Visa Program?
Answer: No, you’re not required to invest any of your own money. The minimum investment required is an investment that comes from a designated Canadian venture capital fund or angel investor group.
Question: What happens if I receive investment support from more than one designated organization?
Answer: Receiving support from multiple designated venture capital funds or angel investor groups is known as syndication. If you have syndicated support, then all investment organizations involved in the syndication must be identified. Only one commitment certificate will be sent electronically to us and one letter of support will be provided to you.
If a designated venture capital fund invests in your business, the minimum total investment amount is $200,000, even if a designated angel group also invests in your business.
If at least one designated angel group but no designated venture capital fund invests in your business, the minimum total investment amount is $75,000.
Question: If I immigrate through the Start-up Visa Program, what happens if my business fails?
Answer: If your business fails, it doesn’t affect your permanent resident status. We recognize that not every business will succeed and this program is designed so that the risk is shared between the public and private sector.