tugrularas/irccfaq huggingface dataset:
Question: Who can make a request under the Privacy Act?
Answer: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals, regardless of where they are located, can request access to their personal information held by federal government institutions under the Privacy Act.
Question: Will my access to information or privacy request be processed faster if my representative sends it?
Answer: If you choose to hire a representative, your application will not be given special attention, nor can you expect faster processing. The Government of Canada treats everyone equally, whether they use the services of a representative or not. 
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) realizes that the use of a representative to assist in the completion of your Access to Information or Privacy application is a personal choice. Please note that the Government of Canada does not recommend or endorse any individual representative. Visit the following page for more information on representatives.
Question: What is the fee for an Access request?
Answer: Each request filed under the Access to Information Act requires a $5.00 application fee. A requester can either pay by credit card using the online payment service within the ATIP Online Request tool, or by cheque or money order made payable to the Receiver General for Canada for requests by mail. There may also be additional fees if copying, computer processing or further search and preparation time is required. (The first five hours of search and preparation are free).
Question: What is the fee for a Privacy request?
Answer: There are no fees under the Privacy Act.
Question: How and where do I submit an Access to Information or Privacy request?
Answer: If submitting a request electronically, you must do so through the ATIP Online Request tool. Once you have completed the questions, the request will be automatically sent to the Access to Information and Privacy Division at IRCC. 
If submitting a written request, you must complete one of the following forms:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC's)  Access to Information and Personal Information Request Form (IMM 5563)
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Access to Information Request Form (TBC/CTC 350-57)
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Personal Information Request Form (TBC/CTC 350-58).

You may also submit a letter, as long as it indicates under which Act the request is being made and includes sufficient detail to enable an employee of IRCC to identify the records that are being requested.
You can send your completed form or letter to: 

Access to Information and Privacy Division
	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 
	Ottawa, Ontario
	K1A 1L1
Note: Credit card payment is only accepted via the ATIP Online Request tool. If paying the application fee by cheque or money order, you must send your  request by regular mail.
Question: How long does the Department have to respond?
Answer: Access to Information
For requests made under the Access to Information Act, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has 30 days to respond to a formal request. However, this period may be extended for a reasonable period of time if:

the request is for a large number of records, or
the request requires a search through a large number of records and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the government institution.

A time extension may also be granted if consultations are necessary to comply with the request that cannot be completed within the original time limit. If the required time extension is greater than 30 days, the head of the institution is required under subsection 9(2) of the Act to inform the Information Commissioner of the extension. We will tell you about the extension and its length, within 30 days of getting your request. It will also let you know that you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner about the extension.
Privacy
In the case of formal requests made pursuant to the Privacy Act, we have 30 days to respond. However, this period may be extended for a maximum of 30 days if: 

meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the government institution, or 

consultations are necessary to comply with the request that cannot be completed within the original time limit. 


The period may also be extended for a reasonable period of time if:

additional time is necessary for translation purposes, or
for the purposes of converting the personal information into an alternative format.

We will tell you about the extension and its length, within 30 days after the request is received. It will also let you know that you have the right to complain to the Privacy Commissioner about the extension.
Note: If you do not receive a response within 30 days, you may obtain the status of your request by contacting the ATIP Division via: 

e-mail: ATIP-AIPRP@cic.gc.ca;
or 
mail: 
Access to Information and Privacy Division
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
Question: Can I get personal information about someone else?
Answer: To get personal information belonging to someone else, you must submit their written consent authorizing you to receive their personal information. Consent may be provided by:

completing the Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request – IMM 5744, or 

a written statement that includes:

		
the name of the person giving the consent,
the name of the person to whom consent is being given,
the signature of the person giving the consent and
the date the letter was signed. 



You do not need consent to get the personal information of any dependants who are under 18 years of age.
Question: Can I get personal information about someone who is deceased?
Answer: Yes, you can get someone’s personal information if they died at least 20 years ago. You must provide reasonable proof of death, such as

an obituary notice
a death certificate
photographs of a tombstone or
provincial vital statistics

If a person has been dead for less than 20 years, only the following people can get their personal information: 

the executor of the estate or
in the case of a person who has died without a will, the administrator of the estate

The executor or administrator of the estate does not have an unlimited right of access to all of the deceased’s personal information, but only the information that will allow them to fulfill their legal responsibilities to finalize the estate.
See also
How to notify the federal government of a death
Question: How can I get information on an individual who arrived in Canada before 1936?
Answer: Landing and immigration records for individuals who arrived in Canada before 1936 (passenger lists 1865–1935 and border entry lists 1908–1935) are kept by Library and Archives Canada. They are available free of charge. Send requests for these records to:
Library and Archives Canada
Researcher Services Division
Genealogy Section
395 Wellington Street, 3rd floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N3
Fax: 613-995-6274
For more information on the Canadian Genealogy Centre, you may consult the following website: www.collectionscanada.ca.
Question: What information should I provide to get a naturalization record?
Answer: The more information you provide, the better. This information includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Complete name,
Date of birth,
Certificate number (if available),
Date of entry,
Port of entry,
If accompanied, provide the names of companions (e.g., spouse’s name)
If the person is deceased, please provide proof of death (such as a death certificate or executorship).
Question: Can non-residents of Canada who are conducting genealogical research access family records held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada?
Answer: Non-residents of Canada are only eligible to make requests for their own personal information under the Privacy Act.
However, you may consider the following options for seeking other personal information records from IRCC:


If the personal information you seek pertains to an individual who has been deceased for more than 20 years, you may ask a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident to submit an Access to Information Act request on your behalf. Please note that any available records will be provided directly to the individual who submitted the request.
You may also wish to consult Library and Archives Canada’s Genealogy and Family History website for information about their records and resources.

If the personal information you seek pertains to an individual who is living, you may submit a request under the Privacy Act for the individual’s personal information but only with that individual’s written consent. This written authorization must state that you are permitted to make a request and receive information on the individual’s behalf.

For information about how to submit a request for information, visit IRCC’s Access to information and privacy webpage.
Question: I sponsored a family member who resides outside of Canada, and they applied for permanent residence at a visa office overseas. Can I obtain information on that file?
Answer: A: Yes. If you are seeking personal information about someone other than yourself, in this case, a family member’s file, you must: 

send a request under the Access to Information Act,
get written consent from the family member, and anyone else over 18 years of age who is included in the file, to get their personal information and
pay a C$5.00 application fee.

If, however, you are requesting information contained in your own sponsorship file, you must submit a request under the Privacy Act and no fees apply.
Question: When should I submit a police certificate?
Answer: Check the instruction guide for the program you are applying for to find out when you need to send us your police certificate(s).
Learn more about police certificates.
Question: How can I extend my stay as a visitor?
Answer: If you want to extend your stay in Canada, you should apply at least 30 days before your status expires.
For the steps to apply, see How to apply to extend your stay as a visitor.
Study and work permit holders
If your visitor visa expired and you need to leave and return to Canada, you need to apply for a new visitor visa (not a visitor record).
See also How can I extend my stay as worker? and How can I extend my stay as a student?
Question: How can I extend my stay as a worker?
Answer: You should apply as early as possible (at least 30 days) before your current work permit expires if you want to extend your stay as a worker in Canada.
For more information on extending your stay as a worker, visitor or student, see

Extend or change the conditions on your work permit
Extend or change your work permit – International Experience Canada
How can I extend my stay as a visitor?
How can I extend my stay as a student?

Steps your employer may need to take
Your employer may need to apply for a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada that says the employer is allowed to hire you.
If you’re exempt from the LMIA process, your employer will need to pay the employer compliance fee and submit a new offer of employment through the Employer Portal.
For more information, see Extend a temporary worker’s permit.
Question: How can I extend my stay as a student?
Answer: If you want to study in Canada longer, you need to extend your study permit.
You should apply to extend your study permit at least 30 days before your current permit expires. However, we recommend you apply more than 30 days before it expires.
If you need to renew your Social Insur ance Number (SIN) or health insurance, you need a valid study permit. If you wait until there are only 30 days left, you may have problems renewing these, because your study permit will be expiring.
Check the processing times to find out how long it may take to have your study permit extended.
Find out how to apply to extend your study permit.
If your study permit has already expired
If you applied to extend your study permit before it expired, but haven’t received a decision on your application, you’re allowed to stay in Canada because you’ve maintained your status. This means you’re a temporary resident until we decide on your application. You can keep studying until you get a decision on your application.
If you haven’t applied to extend your study permit, you lost your status in Canada. You can’t continue or restart your studies until we’ve restored your status and issued a new study permit. You have 90 days to apply to restore your status and extend your permit. There’s a CAN$200 fee to restore your status, as well as a CAN$150 fee for the new study permit. Find out what to do if your study permit has expired and you haven’t applied to extend it.
If you’re planning to travel outside of Canada
Make sure you have the travel document you need to be able to re-enter Canada. You must have a valid travel document to be able to re-enter the country.
Learn more about travelling outside of Canada when you’ve applied to extend your study permit.
If you’ve applied for a different permit
If you were a student, but you’ve applied for a work permit instead, you can’t keep studying while you wait for a decision on your application. You also can’t work until we’ve approved your application. You can stay in Canada as a temporary resident until you get a decision on your application.
See How can I extend my stay as visitor? and How can I extend my stay as a worker?
Question: How do I find out about schools for international students in Canada?
Answer: Canada offers many choices of schools for international students. These include primary and secondary schools, post secondary institutions (i.e. colleges and universities) private career /vocational schools, and language schools. Find more information on choosing a school.
Once you have chosen a school, you will need to make sure it is on the designated learning institution list. This list names the schools in Canada that are approved to accept international students. A study permit can only be issued to someone who has been accepted to study at a designated learning institution.
Question: How do I study in Quebec as an international student?
Answer: To study in Quebec, you first need to have a letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution that you plan to attend in Quebec. In addition, you must have received an attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), which is issued by the province of Quebec. At that time, you can apply for a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
For more information, contact the school where you want to study or the Government of Quebec.
Question: Do I need a permit to study in Canada?
Answer: Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. Some people in specific situations may not. Learn more about who needs a study permit.
You should apply for a study permit before coming to Canada. Only some people can apply for a study permit from within Canada. Before you apply, you must have a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution in Canada.
How you can apply for a study permit depends on if you’re applying from outside Canada, inside Canada or at the port of entry. Find out what options are available for you.
Your study permit isn’t a travel document. Your permit lets you study in Canada, but you may also need a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. If we approve your study permit, we’ll also give you either a visitor visa or an eTA, depending on which document you need. This document will let you enter Canada.
Find out more about how to apply for a study permit.
Question: How do I apply for a study permit?
Answer: You should apply for a study permit before coming to Canada. Make sure you have a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution in Canada before you apply.
You should apply online for a study permit, whether you’re outside of Canada or already in Canada. If you can’t apply online because of a disability or because there’s a  problem with the online application, you can apply on paper.
If you’re currently a visitor in Canada
Find out how you can apply for a study permit if you’re already in Canada as a visitor.


Problem with the online application


You may not be able to apply for your study permit online. For example, if you currently have visitor status in Canada and your spouse or common-law partner is a NOC C or D worker, you may need to submit your application on paper.
Question: When should I apply for my study permit?
Answer: Apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance. The times needed to process your application may vary among visa offices. Check our application processing times for details.
Question: How do I pay for a study permit?
Answer: You must pay a processing fee with your application. For details, visit the Pay your fees page to learn about the methods of payment  accepted by Canadian visa offices.
Question: Will I get my money back if CIC turns down my study permit application?
Answer: No, you will not get your money back, even if your application is refused.
Question: Can I apply for a study permit if I’m already in Canada?
Answer: Yes. You can apply for a study permit while you’re in Canada. Find out what instructions you need to follow and what forms you need to use by telling us where you’re applying from.
Some people don’t need a study permit to study in Canada. If your class or program lasts less than 6 months, or you meet one of the other exceptions, you may not need to get one. Find out if you need a study permit. If you don’t need a study permit, you can enrol in your classes.
Question: I want to study in Canada for less than 6 months. Do I need a study permit?
Answer: You don’t need a study permit for a course or study program that lasts 6 months or less. However, getting a study permit when you don’t need one has benefits.
You still need a valid travel document (electronic travel authorization or visitor visa) to come to Canada. You must get a study permit if you want to study for longer than 6 months.
Question: How long will it take to process my study permit application?
Answer: Processing times vary. It depends on the type of application you submit, and where it is processed. IRCC lists processing times for applications submitted inside and outside Canada. We update this section regularly, so visit often to get the latest details.
Question: I want to change my school or study program. How can I change my study permit?
Answer: You don’t need to change your study permit if you’re changing your school or study program
If you’re a high school student
If you’re moving to post-secondary school and want to be able to work while you study, you must apply to change the conditions of your study permit. There is a fee to make this change. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a new study permit from within Canada.
If you’re a post-secondary student
While you don’t need to change your study permit, you do have to tell us when you change post-secondary schools. Find out how to tell us that you’ve changed your post-secondary school.
If you’re moving to a school in Quebec
If you’re moving to a school in Quebec (and your previous school is outside Quebec), you must get an attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). You need a CAQ for any level of school, including primary.
While you don’t need to change your study permit, you do have to tell us when you change post-secondary schools. Find out how to tell us that you’ve changed your post-secondary school.
Question: Do I need a medical exam to study in Canada?
Answer: Yes, you need a medical exam to study in Canada if you:

come from a designated country/territory for which Canada requires a visa
will be here for more than 6 months
are a medical student or
will work in health care, or another field that brings you into close contact with children or the elderly

See Medical Exams for more details.
Question: How do I renew my study permit while I am in Canada?
Answer: Most people must apply online to extend their study permit from within Canada. You should submit an application to extend your study permit before your current permit expires.
If your study permit has already expired
You need to restore your status as a student, as well as extend your study permit. You must apply to restore your status within 90 days of losing it. If you don’t, you must leave Canada.
You can’t continue your studies until we restore your status as a student in Canada and extend your study permit.
Question: How do I get a copy of a lost, stolen or destroyed study permit?
Answer: You must fill out an application and pay a fee to replace the permit.
Question: Can I stay in Canada after my study permit expires if I applied for a new permit?
Answer: Yes. You can stay in Canada as a temporary resident until we make a decision on your new permit application. You must make sure you applied for a new permit before your original permit expired.
If you applied to extend your study permit, you can stay in Canada and continue studying under the conditions of your original study permit if you

applied to extend your study permit before your original permit expired
are waiting for a decision on your study permit application

If you applied for a work permit, such as a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), you can stay in Canada and continue to work full-time if you

were already able to work off campus during your studies
applied for a work permit before your study permit expired
are waiting for a decision on your work permit application

If you’re not eligible to extend your study permit, you

can apply to stay in Canada as a visitor
must stop studying when your study permit expires
Question: As a foreign student, can I return home or travel outside Canada while studying?
Answer: Yes. However, your study permit is not a travel document. It doesn’t give you the right to travel to or enter Canada. Along with your permit, you may need:

a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or
an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Depending on where you’re from, you may only need your passport. Make sure you know which document you need to travel to and enter Canada.
Having the travel document you need also doesn’t guarantee you’ll be allowed back into Canada. You still must show the border services officer that you meet all the requirements before we’ll let you re-enter.
If you need a visitor visa to enter Canada
Make sure the one you have will still be valid when you return to Canada. If it won’t be valid, you must apply to extend it before you leave Canada.
Read more about travelling while you are a student.
Question: I’m an international student in Canada. Can I work while studying?
Answer: You may be eligible to work in Canada while studying, if your study permit includes a condition that says you can work on or off campus. You must also meet all the other requirements. You can only start working in Canada when you start your study program. You can’t work before your studies begin.
Work on or off campus
As a study permit holder, you may be able to work on-campus or off-campus without getting a work permit. Make sure you meet the requirements before you find a job.
Work as a co-op student or intern
You will need to get a work permit if your study program includes a required co-op or internship placement. Find out how to apply for a co-op work permit.
Work after you graduate
You may also be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) to continue working in Canada after you graduate. Find out if you’re eligible for a PGWP.