Online applications required for visas and permits

Summary#

The government issued Ministerial Instructions with respect to the submission of online applications for temporary resident visas and other documents due to reduced processing capacity during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. They require most new visa, work‑permit and study‑permit applications from people outside Canada to be sent online from February 1, 2021 until September 30, 2021.

What it does#

• Requires that new applications for a temporary resident visa (including transit visas), a work permit, or a study permit submitted by foreign nationals who are outside Canada be filed online (apply online).
• Allows three specific exceptions to use other submission methods:
  • people who cannot use electronic means because of a disability;
  • people who hold a special travel/identity document described in paragraph 52(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (documents issued to non‑national residents, refugees or stateless persons who cannot get a passport);
  • people applying for work permits to perform work under an international arrangement concerning seasonal agricultural workers.
• States that applications received on or after the instructions take effect that were not submitted electronically will not be accepted and application fees will be returned, except for the listed exceptions.

Who's affected#

• Foreign nationals outside Canada who want a temporary resident visa, work permit, or study permit and who plan to apply on or after February 1, 2021.
• Immigration representatives and people who help prepare applications, because they will need to use online submission tools.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada staff who process those applications.
• People with disabilities, holders of certain special travel documents, and seasonal agricultural workers — these groups are named as exceptions and may still use other submission methods.

Why it matters#

• If you are applying from abroad for a visa, work or study permit, you generally must use the online system. Paper applications sent after the date will be returned and fees refunded unless you fit an exception.
• The rule is temporary and linked to reduced processing capacity during the COVID‑19 pandemic. It aims to keep processing moving while offices have limited ability to handle paper files.
• People without reliable internet access or who are not comfortable with online forms could face extra steps or delays. The instructions do include written exceptions for some people with special needs or documents.