tugrularas/irccfaq huggingface dataset:
Question: I need to leave Canada and I do not have a permanent resident card. Can I later return to Canada without a PR card?
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.


If you leave Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a PRTD to re-enter Canada.
It might take longer than normal to process your PRTD application. This could delay your return to Canada.

It depends on how you travel.
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. It is a vehicle not available for public use.
Returning by commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat
You must apply for a permanent resident travel document. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.
You can apply for a PR card when you return to Canada.
You can apply for a PR card when you return to Canada.
If you’re traveling soon or already applied
If you know you’re travelling by commercial vehicle soon, you can ask for an urgent renewal of your PR card. If you already applied for your PR card and are still waiting for it, you can check our processing times, check the status of your application or link your application to your account to keep track of it.
Contact us if you’ve been waiting for your card for six weeks longer than the normal processing time and still haven’t received it.
Question: What happens if my permanent resident card expires while I am outside 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.

If your card expires when you’re outside Canada, you still have your permanent resident (PR) status. To keep your PR status, you need to stay in Canada for a certain amount of time.
What happens if your PR card expires when you’re outside Canada depends on how you plan to return to Canada.

If you leave Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a PRTD to re-enter Canada.
It might take longer than normal to process your PRTD application. This could delay your return to Canada.

Private vehicle
There are other documents you can use to re-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. It is a vehicle not available for public use.
Commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat
You must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.
You can apply to replace your permanent resident (PR) card when you return to Canada or if you haven’t left yet. You may eligible for urgent processing.
Validity
Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some are only valid for one year. The expiry date is printed on the card. When your PR card expires, you can’t use it as a travel document. If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card. You need to be in Canada. If you’re re-entering Canada by commercial vehicle and have an expired PR card, get your PRTD to re-enter Canada.
Check our processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card.
Question: How can I avoid delays or refusals in processing my permanent resident card application?
Answer: To avoid delays or a refusal, ensure that you: 

properly fill out and sign the application form(s);
fill out Section H (Solemn Declaration) if your card was:
    
lost
stolen
destroyed, or
never received


include all the documents listed on the document checklist at the end of the form
pay online with a credit card, and
include the proof of payment with your application.

See other processing times questions.
Question: If I am granted citizenship, what happens to my permanent resident card?
Answer: Once you are granted citizenship, you are no longer a permanent resident (PR) and your PR card will no longer be valid. We will collect your PR card at the citizenship ceremony.
Question: What should I do if my new permanent resident card has a mistake or something is missing?
Answer: If we made the mistake, you can apply for a reissued permanent resident (PR) card.
If either your given name or your surname has more than 28 letters, the name appearing on the PR card will be shortened. This is not a mistake and the card will not be reissued to change the name.
For cards issued before November 21, 2015, names are limited to:

first name: 15 letters or less
last name: 20 letters or less

For cards issued on or after November 21, 2015, names are limited to:

first name: 28 letters or less
last name: 28 letters or less
Question: What is a Verification of Status document?
Answer: The new Verification of Status or Replacement of an Immigration Document form replaces the old Verification of Entry form.
Complete this form if you need proof of historical immigration information, such as your date and place of entry to Canada. It can be used for the following documents: 

Record of Landing,
Confirmation of Permanent Residence,
Work Permit, 
Visitor Record,
Study Permit,
Authorization to Return to Canada,
Exclusion Order,
Deportation Order,
Departure Order and
Temporary Resident Permit.
Question: What if I already submitted the old Verification of Entry form, do I have to resubmit a new form?
Answer: No. Verification of Entry forms that have already been submitted will be processed.  There is no need to re-apply.
Question: Will I still get a certified true copy of my immigration document?
Answer: No. We will only issue a plain paper copy of your Verification of Status document.  It will no longer issue certified true copies.
Question: What language level do I need when I apply for citizenship?
Answer: If you’re between 18 and 54 years old when you sign your application, you must show an adequate knowledge of speaking and listening skills in English or French.
An “adequate knowledge” is equivalent to level 4 in Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC).
Learn more about the language requirement
Question: How do you measure how well I can speak English or French when applying for citizenship?
Answer: To measure if you have adequate knowledge of English or French we use:

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC)

You must reach CLB/NCLC Level 4 or higher to get Canadian citizenship.
CLB/NCLC is the official standard used in Canada to describe, measure and recognize how well adult immigrants can communicate in their second language. We use this standard to make sure we evaluate everyone the same way.
The ways we measure how well you can speak and listen in English or French include:

reviewing the documents you send in with your application to prove you can speak and listen in English or French at Level 4 (if you’re 18 to 54 years of age) 
noting how well you communicate when you talk to staff or a citizenship officer during your interview

Using the CLB/NCLC, a citizenship officer will make the final decision if you have adequate knowledge of English or French.
Question: What documents can I use to prove that I meet the citizenship language requirement?
Answer: You can send us one of a number of different documents to show that you meet the language requirement, including:

the results of an IRCC-approved third-party test
proof from certain government-funded language training programs
proof of completion of secondary or post-secondary education in English or French, in Canada or abroad

For information on other forms of proof accepted, see:

acceptable language proof tool (wizard) 
complete list of acceptable documents

You need to reach level 4 or higher to apply for citizenship. We use your documents to determine if you have reached this level for speaking and listening in English or French.
We will review the language proof you send us. We won’t process your application and will return it to you if your proof:

can’t be read
can’t be verified
isn’t included with the application
is in a language other than English or French (without a certified translation)
Question: What third-party language tests will you accept as proof I have adequate knowledge of English or French when I apply for citizenship?
Answer: A third-party test is a test done by an organization that isn’t Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
We accept third-party test results as proof of your language ability from organizations including:

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program:
    
CELPIP General
CELPIP General-LS: a 2 skills (listening and speaking) version


International English Language Testing System General training (IELTS - General)
Test d'Évaluation de Français (TEF) (in French)
    
Test d'Évaluation de Français (TEFAQ) (in French)
TEF pour la naturalisation: a 2 skills (listening and speaking) version



We will accept tests that you previously submitted for immigration purposes to Quebec, including:

Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF) (in French)
Diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF) (in French)
Test de connaissance du français (TCF) 
Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCFQ)

We don’t accept any other third-party test results, even if they’re similar.
Visit each organization’s website to learn how to write the exams. Since we don’t run them, we don’t track when and where they’re offered.
In some cases, you may send test results that you already sent to us or the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI). We’ll accept the test results that you sent with your application for:

Federal Skilled Worker
Canadian Experience Class
Quebec-selected Skilled Worker

See the complete list of acceptable documents.
Question: I graduated from an English-or French-language high school/college/university. What can I use to show that I can communicate in one of the official languages when I apply for citizenship?
Answer: You may send a transcript, diploma or certificate showing that you graduated from a secondary school or from a post-secondary program in Canada or abroad. These materials must show that the program was in English or French. A single course in an official language is not enough to meet this requirement.
See the complete list of acceptable documents.
Question: Can I use the government-funded language program I took to prove that I meet the citizenship language requirement?
Answer: Yes, you can use a federal or provincial language program to prove that you meet the language requirement for your citizenship application.
Federal language program
When you submit your citizenship application, you need to include a language certificate from a

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) course, or
Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC)

Your results for speaking and listening skills must be equal to either a language level 4 or higher of the

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), or
Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)

If you did your training

on or after November 1, 2012, submit a copy of your certificate with your application
between January 1, 2008, and October 31, 2012, either
  
submit a copy of your certificate, or
check the appropriate box in your application if you don’t have your certificate


Provincial language program
We also accept results from language programs in

British Columbia (in English only)
Manitoba (in English only)
Nova Scotia
 Ontario
Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration
Quebec’s Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche
Saskatchewan

Submit a certificate or report card from the program. It must show that you completed the training at a CLB/NCLC level 4 or higher (or equivalent).
See the complete list of acceptable documents if you apply as

an adult (18 or older)
a Canadian Armed Forces member
Question: I’ve lost my certificate or transcript showing I meet the citizenship language requirement. What can I do?
Answer: If you have lost your certificate, most third-party testing bodies and provincially-funded language training programs will send you a copy of your certificate. Contact the organization where you completed the language training or testing.
Question: What is Sign-In Partner?
Answer: This is a secure way for you to sign into your online account using information you already have.
Sign-In Partners are groups like banks and credit unions that partner with Interac® sign-in service. If you’re their customer, you can use the same login that you use to sign in to your bank or credit union, to access Government of Canada services.
You can use Sign-In Partner (Interac® sign-in service) if you have an account with:

Affinity Credit Union
Alberta Treasury Branches
BMO Financial Group
Caisse Alliance
CIBC Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Coast Capital Savings
Conexus Credit Union
Desjardins Group
Libro Credit Union
National Bank of Canada
RBC Royal Bank
Scotiabank
Servus Credit Union
Simplii Financial
TD Bank Group
Tangerine
UNI Financial Cooperation
Vancity
Question: What are electronic credentials?
Answer: Electronic credentials are what you use to securely sign in to online accounts. They usually include a password and:

your email address
a card number
a username
Question: What do you mean by authentication?
Answer: It is a secure means to recognize a user when accessing government services online. The user remains anonymous, and the authentication process just confirms that the credential is valid and is in the hands of the owner of the credential. Credential authentication does not reveal or confirm identity to the government website. It receives only a message confirming that your credential (username/password) was successfully validated by your bank or by the government.
Question: Why is the Government of Canada offering users the option to use banking credentials?
Answer: By offering a choice of credentials, the government is making its online services more convenient for clients to access. Many individuals use their online banking credentials regularly, so being able to use the same credential to access government services online means that you will have one less User ID and password to remember.
Question: What are the advantages of using my online banking credentials?
Answer: Your existing credentials, such as your online banking credentials, are familiar as you may already use them on a regular basis. Using your credential from one of the Sign-In Partners to access government services is convenient as you don’t have to remember a different user ID and password.
 The safeguarding of Canadians’ information online is a priority for the Government of Canada and measures have been put in place to ensure secure online access which respects privacy. 
 Remember that when you use a Sign-In Partner, none of your banking or personally identifiable information is communicated to the government service you are trying to access and the Government of Canada does not know which Sign-In Partner (or financial institution) you have used. Similarly, no information about the government service being accessed by the user will be shared with the user's Sign-in Partner.
Question: Is the banking credential (Sign-In Partner) as secure as the government credential (GCKey)?
Answer: Yes, the banking credential is just as secure as the government credential. The same authentication process and security requirements are used whether you use your banking credential through Sign-In Partner (Interac® sign-in service) or the government-issued credential service called GCKey.
The authentication process does not carry any personally identifiable information such as name or birth date. It relies on strong technology, built using industry best practices. By offering you the choice of using a banking credential, the Government of Canada is leveraging the investments made by financial institutions in secure online environments.
Question: Will any of my banking information be shared if I use Sign-In Partner?
Answer: No, your banking information is not shared when you use a Sign-In Partner (Interac® sign-in service).
The technology is designed in such a way that the Government of Canada will not know which Sign-In Partner (or financial institution) you have used. Similarly, the bank will not know which government department or agency its customer contacted. Also, the credential broker who facilitates this interaction will not know the identity of the individual or business. The participating financial institutions and departments and agencies will not share any information that identifies individuals, as directed under privacy legislation.
Question: I had to switch my electronic log-in credentials not that long ago. Why are you changing it again?
Answer: The Government of Canada has been using a phased approach to authentication services. Access Key was an interim step while the Government of Canada was putting in place new, cost-effective solutions which would provide improved user choice and convenience, securely.
Question: Can I still use my Access Key?
Answer: No. As of November 3, 2012, you will need to use either GCKey or Sign-In Partner (Interac® sign-in service) to access IRCC online services.
Question: What services do I need Sign-In Partner or GCKey for?
Answer: You need to use Sign-In Partner or GCKey to access :

your online account
the Authorized Paid Representatives portal
the Employer portal
the provincial territorial partner portal
Question: Which banks are participating in Sign-In Partner?
Answer: The following financial institutions have partnered with Sign-In Partner (Interac® sign-in service):

Affinity Credit Union
Alberta Treasury Branches
BMO Financial Group
Caisse Alliance
CIBC Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Coast Capital Savings
Conexus Credit Union
Desjardins Group
Libro Credit Union
National Bank of Canada
RBC Royal Bank
Scotiabank
Servus Credit Union
Simplii Financial
TD Bank Group
Tangerine
UNI Financial Cooperation
Vancity

It is expected that other financial institutions will participate in Sign-In Partner in the future. Keep checking the Sign-In Partner list when you log in to access Government of Canada services.
Question: I don’t bank with any of the financial institutions listed. What alternative do I have when I want to access government services online?
Answer: If you don’t have a credential with one of the Sign-In Partners, you can use the government-issued credential, GCKey.
It is expected that other Sign-In Partners will be added in the future, so keep checking the list of Sign-In Partners when you log in to access Government of Canada services.
Question: My bank is on your list, but I don’t have online banking. How do I access the IRCC secure account using Sign-In Partner?
Answer: To use Sign-In Partner (Interac® sign-in service), you must be registered for online banking with your financial institution. Your bank can assist you with online banking.
Question: I would rather not use Sign-In Partner to access the IRCC secure account. What are my options?
Answer: You can use GCKey, a government-issued credential, to access Government of Canada online services.
Question: Will the bank charge me for using my banking credential to access government services?
Answer: No. This is part of the service your bank offers its customers.
Question: Will I still be able to use GCKey even if I decided to use my online banking credentials once?
Answer: Yes, if you wish to do so, you can use a different credential to access different Government of Canada services. However, you will need to remember which credential you used with each of those services. For example, if you use GCKey to register for an account with IRCC, you must always use GCKey to access your account.
Question: Who can I contact if I have questions about GCKey or Sign-In Partner?
Answer: For questions about GCKey, please call 1-855-438-1102. The GCKey help desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More information is available on the GCKey website.
For questions about Sign-In Partner (Interac® sign-in service), find out how to get help.
Question: I am a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (green card holder). Do I need an eTA?
Answer: No. As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the U.S. must show the following 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


Bring your proof of status documents when you travel to Canada
To confirm your status as a lawful permanent resident in the U.S., you’ll need to show your proof documents to
airline staff when you check in for a flight to Canada
a border services officer when you arrive in Canada
Question: Can I provide my LINC/CLIC placement test as a proof that I meet the citizenship language requirement?
Answer: No. You must provide evidence that you have reached CLB/NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening as part of a LINC/CLIC course to meet the language ability requirement for your citizenship. A placement test done by a LINC/CLIC assessment center is not accepted as evidence.
Question: Can I submit the results from a third-party language test that I took when I first applied to immigrate to Canada as proof I meet the citizenship language requirement?
Answer: Yes. You may send the same third-party language test results from your immigration application with your  application for citizenship. There is no expiration date for third-party language test results for citizenship applicants.