Online Filing for Permanent Residence

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published new Ministerial Instructions with respect to the submission of online applications for permanent resident visas and other documents that require many kinds of permanent residence applications to be filed online. The rule took effect on November 9, 2023 and is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

What it does#

• Requires most applications for permanent resident visas, applications for permanent resident status, and sponsorship applications to be submitted electronically (apply online) when submitted on or after November 9, 2023.
• Lists the immigration streams covered, including:
  • Permit Holder Class
  • Quebec Skilled Worker Class
  • Provincial Nominee Class (with some exceptions)
  • Atlantic Immigration Class
  • Quebec Investor Class
  • Quebec Entrepreneur Class
  • Start-Up Business Class
  • Self-Employed Persons Class and Quebec Self-Employed Persons Class
  • Family Class
  • Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class
  • Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
  • Home Support Worker Pilot
  • Home Child Care Provider Pilot
  • Agri-Food Pilot
• Keeps an exception: the Instructions do not apply to applications under the Provincial Nominee Class, Atlantic Immigration Class, or Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot when the foreign national has also applied under the public policy supporting the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.
• Says an alternate application format will be made available for foreign nationals, sponsors, or representatives who are unable to apply online. The notice does not give detailed steps for how to use that alternate format.
• States paper applications received on or after November 9, 2023 will not be accepted; processing fees will be returned unless an alternate method is used that the Minister provides.
• Repeals the previous instruction known as MI61 (the earlier online-application instruction), effective November 9, 2023.

Who's affected#

• People applying for permanent residence in Canada under the listed streams (principal applicants and their dependants).
• Sponsors submitting sponsorship applications for family class and related streams.
• Authorized representatives who prepare or file applications on behalf of applicants.
• People who cannot use online systems (e.g., because of limited internet access, disability, or other barriers) — they are supposed to be able to use alternate formats, but the notice is not specific about how that will work.
• Immigration officers and IRCC staff who process and redistribute applications using the online system.

Why it matters#

• If you apply for permanent residence in one of the covered streams on or after November 9, 2023, you generally must use the online application system. Paper submissions can be returned and fees refunded.
• The change aims to let Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada move and process applications more quickly and efficiently by using electronic intake and by redistributing work across processing centres.
• People with limited internet access, low digital literacy, or special needs may be affected if the alternate application options are not clearly available or easy to use. The notice does not explain in detail how to request or use those alternatives.