New Public Policy Concerning Students from a One-Year International Business Management Program and a Four-Month Freight Forwarding and Logistics Program at the Same Public College

Summary

Minister Ahmed Hussen established a public policy for a group of international graduates who became ineligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) on October 26, 2018. These students became ineligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) because of misinformation pertaining to their program of study and eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). 

The public policy thus helps in:

• Facilitating the issuance of open work permits and,
• Facilitating the restoration of the students’ temporary resident status

In order to be eligible for consideration under the public policy, eligible individuals will need to make applications for open work permits (from within or outside Canada) and applications for restoration of status (if applicable) by 2359 hrs Eastern Time on December 31, 2018.

Issue

This Operational Bulletin (OB) aims to provide operational instructions pertaining to the submission & processing of applications for open work permits and applications for the restoration of status (if applicable). In particular, the instructions given here apply to applications falling within the scope of the Public Policy Concerning Individuals Who Partook in a One-Year International Business Management Program and a Four-Month Freight Forwarding and Logistics Program at the Same Public College.

Background

Because of misinformation regarding their program of study and eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), a group of international public college graduates became eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP).

It can be worth mentioning that the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) requires that a program of study completed at an eligible institution must be at least eight months in length. In addition, applicants will need to submit their applications within 90 days of receiving written confirmations of program completion. The authorities typically calculate the duration of the post-graduation work permit based on the length of the program of study.

However, this method of calculation affected international public college graduates, who completed a one-year international business management program and a separate four-month freight forwarding & logistic program at the same public college. These individuals believed that they would be eligible for a post-graduation work permit. Unfortunately, the length of the freight forwarding and logistics program damaged their chances of being eligible for post-graduation work permits.

The duration of the freight forwarding and logistics program has led to this situation. This program has a span of four months. Hence, the authorities found that it did not meet the prescribed minimum eight-month duration needed for rendering the student eligible for a post-graduation work permit. Moreover, in some cases, the 90-day application eligibility period following the completion of the one-year international business management program had lapsed as well. Hence, based on these credentials, the authorities did not consider these graduates eligible for applying for post-graduation work permits. 

It goes without saying that this situation has negatively affected these international graduates. It has limited their access to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). To remedy this, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has taken facilitative action. As a result, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship established a public policy on October 26, 2018. This public policy, established under the provisions specified in section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), facilitates the issuance of open work permits and the restoration of temporary resident status for eligible applicants. In particular, it caters to a group of international graduates who became ineligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) because of misinformation pertaining to their program of study and eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). Readers will need to note that this public policy came into force on October 26, 2018. In addition, this policy will cease to apply on December 31, 2018.

The Public Policy – The Eligibility Criteria and the Prescribed Conditions

The authorities consider international graduates eligible for consideration in case these individuals meet the following eligibility criteria and conditions under the Public Policy Concerning Individuals Who Partook in a One-Year International Business Management Program and a Four-Month Freight Forwarding and Logistics Program at the Same Public College.

The Guidelines for International Graduates When the Authorities Have Refused their Post-Graduation Work Permit

• The authorities have refused the student’s post-graduation work permit between July 25, 2018 and the date of issue of this public policy i.e. October 29, 2018
• The only reason for the refusal was the fact that more than 90 days had elapsed since the student received confirmation that the student had completed the international business management program at their public college
• The student had received the confirmation of program completion of a one-year international business management program at their public college, following which they received the notification of completion of a four-month fright forwarding and logistics program, offered by the same public college between August 01, 2017, and September 30, 2018
• The student has not previously received a post-graduation work permit and,
• The student applied for facilitation under this public policy by 2359 hrs Eastern Time on December 31, 2018

The Guidelines for International Graduates Who Have Not Yet Applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit or Have Not Yet Received a Decision on Their Post-Graduation Work Permit Application

• The student will need to have completed a one-year international business management program at a public college between August 01, 2017, and June 01, 2018
• The student will need to have completed a four-month freight forwarding and logistics program on or before August 31, 2018, at the same public college, following the international business management program
• The student will need to have qualified for a post-graduation work permit in case the student had applied for it within 90 days of receiving confirmation that they had completed the international business management program
• The student will need to have applied for a post-graduation work permit within 90 days of having received confirmation of completion of the freight forwarding and logistics program or, the student will need to have applied for facilitation under the purview of this public policy, within 90 days of receiving written confirmation of completion of the freight forwarding and logistics program from their public college
• The authorities must not have issued a post-graduation work permit previously to the student and,
• The student will need to have applied for facilitation under the purview of this public policy by 2359 hrs Eastern Time on December 31, 2018

Note:

• The authorities will require international graduates to self-identify as eligible for consideration, under the provisions of the public policy, based on the eligibility criteria and conditions specified in the public policy by writing ‘Public policy for international graduates ineligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP)’ on the first page of the application or correspondence

The Processing Instructions for Post-Graduation Work Permit Applicants Who Have Not Yet Received a Decision on their Applications

The authorities permit international graduates to withdraw their post-graduation work permit applications in case these individuals applied under the public policy and have not yet received a decision on their post-graduation work permit application.

In some cases, the applicant might submit the application under the public policy and not withdraw the post-graduation work permit application by 2359 hrs Eastern Time on December 31, 2018. In this scenario, the officers will need to process the post-graduation work permit application under the post-graduation work permit guidelines.

Note:

• The authorities will not accept applications for this public policy at Ports of Entry (POEs)
• Thus, officers will need to refer all applicants who are applying under this public policy at a Port of Entry (POE) to the Case Processing Centre in Edmonton 
• In case applicants withdraw their applications before the processing of the application commences might receive refunds

The Guidelines for In-Canada Applications

It can be worth highlighting that the public policy authorises officers to exempt eligible applicants from the requirement that these applicants need to make their applications for work permits from outside Canada. Thus, eligible international graduates will be able to apply for the open work permit from within Canada. In addition, the authorities do not require applicants to have a valid study permit at the time of application. This is because this is not a post-graduation work permit. 

The Guidelines for the Restoration of Status

The public policy also authorises officers to waive the requirement that applicants need to make applications to restore their temporary resident status within 90 days of losing their temporary resident status. Thus, eligible international graduates in Canada will still be able to apply for restoration and open work permits under the provisions specified in the public policy. This applies even in case the eligible international graduate in Canada is without status and the 90-day restoration period has elapsed.

The Guidelines Pertaining to the Medical Exams

The authorities require applicants to provide evidence of medical exams in case one of the following two circumstances apply:

• The applicant is requesting an open work permit to enable them to work in a designated occupation or,
• The applicant visited or lived in a designated country for more than six months during the past year

In some cases, the applicants might not provide any evidence of a medical exam at the time of application. They might do so because the above-mentioned circumstances do not apply. In this scenario, the officers will need to issue the open work permit. In addition, the officers will need to specify the condition that the applicant will remain restricted from working in occupations that would necessitate a medical exam in case the applicant met all the other eligibility criteria prescribed.

In case the applicant has a valid medical exam on file, the officers will need to check whether the applicant has visited or lived in a designated country for more than six months since the applicant underwent the medical exam. If the officers find that the applicant has a valid medical exam on file and has not visited or lived in a designated country for more than six months since the date of the medical exam, the officers will need to issue the open work permit. However, the officers will also need to specify the condition that the applicant can work in occupations that would necessitate a medical exam in case the applicant met all the other eligibility criteria prescribed. 

For more information on medical exam requirements for temporary residents, officers will need to go through the section titled ‘Who Must Submit to an Immigration Medical Exam?’ on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

On the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the authorities have provided a complete list of panel physicians in the ‘Find a Panel Physician’ tool. It can be worth highlighting that panel physicians are independent from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and thus, set their own fees. The fees levied by these physicians is not exempt under the terms of this public policy.

The Guidelines for Issuing an Open Work Permit Under the Public Policy

When issuing a work permit under the new public policy, officers will need to:

• Confirm that the applicant is eligible for consideration under the provisions specified in the public policy
• Avoid refusing the application in case the applicant has not included a copy of the applicant’s post-graduation work permit refusal letter, dated between July 25, 2018, and October 29, 2018, in the application
  • In this scenario, the officers will need to refer to the refusal letter on file in the previous application in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
• Avoid refusing the application in case the applicant has not included evidence that the applicant submitted a post-graduation work permit application within 90 days of having received confirmation of completion of the freight forwarding and logistics program from their public college in the application
  • In this scenario, the officers will need to refer to the list of the previous applications in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
• Enter ‘Public policy for refused Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) applicants’ on the work permit’s notes, in case the officer is issuing an open work permit outside Canada
  • The presence of this annotation would inform officers at the Port of Entry (POE) that the authorities issued the work permit based on the provisions specified in the public policy
• Assess each application made under this public policy on a case by case basis when they determine the validity of the open work permit
  • In most cases, the validity of the open work permit will be for a span of two years

The Special System Coding

The authorities have placed special system coding in effect for tracking applications and transactions linked to this public policy. It can be worth mentioning that the use of the following special program coding i.e. PP-PGWP is mandatory. Thus, officers will need to use this special program coding for tracking all related applications processed in the Global Case Management System (GCMS).

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) Certificate Issuance Policy

Summary

This Operational Bulletin (OB) provides information to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) staff about an update to the policy for the issuance of certificates for the following learners:

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) learners and,
• Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) Learners

Issue

The authorities had formulated and issued the National Language Placement and Progression Guidelines (NLPPG) in 2013. Thereafter, they had facilitated the current national implementation of the Portfolio Based Language Assessment (PBLA) and the Évaluation linguistique basée sur le portfolio (ELBP) approaches.

These steps are bringing greater levels of consistency to in-class language assessments. In addition, they are increasing the reliability of the:

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program results and,
• Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) program results

This is why the issuance of standard certificates takes on increased levels of significance for the Department. The Department typically accepts Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) certificates as proof of language ability for citizenship purposes. Therefore, it makes sense that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) staff inform the recipients of this updated guidance. This would help in ensuring that the Department adopts consistent practices for issuing certificates across the program.

Background

With effect from February 11, 2017, all recipients of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funding for the delivery of the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) programs will need to apply the following guidance when they:

• Issue Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) certificates and,
• Enter data in the Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment (iCARE) system or the History of Assessments, Referrals and Training system (HARTs)

• As a general rule, the staff would need to issue Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) certificates to learners at the end of a term (or reporting period) with “completed” levels against the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale.
  • It is worth noting that, in accordance with the specifications listed in the National Language Placement and Progression Guidelines (NLPPG), the authorities consider the completion of a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level, when the learners achieve and demonstrate the level of communicative ability associated with most or all of the descriptors for the benchmarks assigned by the authorities in each of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing
  • The level of communicative ability associated with most or all of the descriptors for the benchmarks assigned will traditionally range from 70 to 100 percent
• The officers would need to derive the designation of a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level from an evaluation of evidence collected throughout the term for assessing the learner’s progress on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale
• In some cases, the recipients might be using the Portfolio Based Language Assessment (PBLA) and the Évaluation linguistique basée sur le portfolio (ELBP) approaches
  • In this scenario, the officers will need to issue the certificates at the time of issuance of the progress reports
• In certain cases that are not as frequent, the officers might need to issue certificates upon the learner’s departure from class or upon the learner’s request
  • In this scenario, the officers could issue these certificates as long as the instructor (or teacher) has gathered sufficient evidence for determining the language proficiency of the learner
• The officers would need to avoid using the placement assessment results, and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) levels addressed in the course as evidence for assigning the learner’s Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) results
  • For instance, the officers must not assume that a learner has completed the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 4 merely because the learner participated in a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 4 course
  • Thus, the officers would need to review documented evidence that shows that the learner completed the level specified
• The officers will need to refer to the ‘Resources’ tab in the Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment (iCARE) system, under the “Language Training Definitions” and “Updates to the Language Modules in Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment (iCARE) and History of Assessments, Referrals and Training system (HARTs)” for obtaining additional details on assigning Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) levels

The Recipient Requirements

• Only recipients who deliver Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) training that meets the following seven criteria have the authority to issue Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) certificates:
  • A Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) based placement assessment or an instructor-led in-class assessment will need to precede the training
  • The training must be aligned to the National Language Placement and Progression Guidelines (NLPPG)
  • The training will need to remain based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) framework
  • The training will need to adhere to the curriculum guidelines as prescribed by the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC), or the provincial Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) based curriculum guidelines
  • A qualified instructor (or teacher) will need to lead the training
    • This denotes that the instructor or teacher will need to have taken training in Canada – or in a recognised foreign educational institution – for teaching English or French as a second language
  • The training will need to remain aligned with the Portfolio Based Language Assessment (PBLA) approach, which is basically a task-based approach to language instruction and assessment integrated throughout the teaching / learning cycle and,
  • The training will need to conclude with an evaluation of evidence collected throughout the term for determining the learner’s progress in accordance with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale
• The officers will need to print all certificates in black on white paper, letter size and signed manually or electronically by the recipient’s Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) coordinator
• Situations could arise where clients lose their Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) or Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) certificates
  • In this scenario, the clients will have to request for new copies
  • In case the recipient still has access to the client’s record, the recipient has the ability to reprint certificates with the original issuance date
• The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Case Processing Centre in Sydney (CPC-S) will need to authenticate Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) certificates submitted with citizenship applications through the Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment system (iCARE) system
  • Hence, the officers will need to ensure that they update the clients’ language results upon certificate issuance or shortly after certificate issuance
    • For Ontario recipients, the officers will need to ensure that they upload the language results of the clients from History of Assessments, Referrals and Training system (HARTs) to the Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment system (iCARE) system upon certificate issuance or shortly after certificate issuance
  • In addition, the officers will need to check that the Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment system (iCARE) system users have responded with a ‘Yes’ to the question “Was a certificate issued to the client?”
  • History of Assessments, Referrals and Training system (HARTs) users will need to remember that History of Assessments, Referrals and Training system (HARTs) automatically generates information about certificate issuance, which it thereafter uploads into Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment system (iCARE)
• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) recipients situated in Ontario will need to continue generating certificates from History of Assessments, Referrals and Training system (HARTs)
• The officers might come across cases where some Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) recipients reside outside Ontario
  • These individuals will continue to have access to private groups on Tutela.ca
  • As such, they will be able to download their certificates from this site
  • It is worth highlighting that the authorities will only give access to Tutela users who indicate that they are language administrators for a given Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) recipient

The Next Steps

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officers will need to review the provisions related to the issuance of Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC) certificates in their contribution agreements. Thereafter, they will need to amend these as appropriate to meet the requirements specified above.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Electronic Identity History Summary – Police Certificates

Issue

The objective of this Operational Bulletin (OB) is to notify clients that they now have the option to request for an electronic Identity History Summary (IHS) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These individuals would be able to use this electronic Identity History Summary (IHS) as a police certificate across all lines of business.

Background

It is worth mentioning that previously, the United States (US) offered the option to request for a police certificate from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) only via mail.

The Guidelines

With effect from July 04, 2018, officers of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will be able to accept electronically submitted Identity History Summaries (IHSs) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These officers will be able to use these documents as tools for determining inadmissibility based on the provisions specified in section 36 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

However, the authorities require officers to continue accepting the previously available options for mailing in requests to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or using Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) approved channelers. It is worth highlighting that clients do not need to be in the United States (US) for using an electronic Identity History Summary (IHS). Nor will these individuals need to be permanent residents or citizens of the United States (US) for using the electronic Identity History Summary (IHS). The authorities permit all individuals to use the electronic Identity History Summary (IHS) method. This is regardless of their place of residence or citizenship.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Randomised Selection Intake Management Process for the Sponsors of Parents and Grandparents

Summary

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has the responsibility of managing the intake of the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program. Henceforth, it will carry out these responsibilities in a different manner. New Ministerial Instructions (MIs) came into force on January 01, 2017. These Ministerial Instructions (MIs) served to support the implementation of a new Randomised Selection Intake Management process, while maintaining the cap of 10,000 complete applications.

Issue

The objective of this Operational Bulletin (OB) is to provide instructions to staff on the new Randomised Selection Intake Management process, which will govern the application intake into the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program.

Background

The authorities had put in place an application intake cap of 5,000 complete applications in place for the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program. This has been in place since January 2014. Each year, the number of applications received has led to the filling of the cap within days. Therefore, the authorities published Ministerial Instructions (MIs) on February 27, 2016 to increase the cap from 5,000 to 10,000 applications i.e. complete applications acceptable for processing.

In the past, the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program used the first-in first-out principle for accepting applications for processing. As such, many applicants used courier services for ensuring that their applications arrived as quickly as possible at the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M) so that the applications would be well within the prescribed cap. The authorities have had concerns that courier services could give an unfair advantage to applicants who are able to pay additional courier fees. This, in turn, could lead to concerns about couriers potentially overcharging applicants.

To ensure that all clients have the same opportunity to get the authorities to accept their applications for processing under the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program, in addition to managing the intake cap of 10,000 applications, the Department has decided to launch a Randomised Selection Intake Management process. Under this process, the authorities will provide potential sponsors a timeline of 30 days for indicating their interest in sponsoring their parent or grandparent. From among those potential sponsors who submit an Interest to Sponsor web form successfully, the Department will randomly select 10,000 potential sponsors and invite them to submit complete applications for sponsoring their parents and grandparents.

The authorities will send randomly selected potential sponsors an invitation via e-mail. This invitation will invite the randomly selected potential sponsors to submit a complete application. In the past, each person who successfully submitted an Interest to Sponsor form received a notification – regardless of whether the authorities had selected them or not. 

The Procedures

The program will re-open annually at 1200 hrs Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the first working day of the year. Similarly, the Interest to Sponsor web form will also be available at the same time. Both will remain open for a span of 30 days. Thus, the authorities will give potential sponsors time until 1200 hrs EST 30 days later for indicating the sponsors’ interest in making applications to sponsor their parent or grandparent by using the Interest to Sponsor web form, which is available on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for that purpose. It is worth highlighting that the Interest to Sponsor web form is not an application for sponsorship. Potential sponsors will need to complete all the required information on the form for the authorities to consider them eligible for randomised selection.

The Process for Potential Sponsors Who Are Successful in Submitting their Web Forms

As mentioned earlier, the potential sponsors will need to submit their Interest to Sponsor web form online. Thereafter, a computer-generated confirmation number will appear on the webpage. The applicant will need to retain this number. 

The Process for Potential Sponsors Who Are Not Successful in Submitting their Web Forms

Some potential sponsors might not be able to complete the required information on the web form. In addition, some potential sponsors might experience technical issues that render them unable to successfully transmit the Interest to Sponsor web form. These individuals will typically come across messages on their computer screens inviting them to try again later.

• Step 1
  • The Interest to Sponsor web form will be available from noon Easter Standard Time (EST) on the first working day of the year
  • The potential sponsor will need to complete the web form available on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
  • The authorities will give potential sponsors 30 days for expressing their interest in applying to be sponsors in the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program
  • Potential sponsors who are unable to fill out the form online because of exceptional circumstances (including those with a disability) will need to contact the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre for a paper copy
    • The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre will forward a referral to the Immigration Program Guidance Branch and mail a paper copy to the potential sponsor
  • The potential sponsor will need to provide the following details on the web form:
    • The last name
    • The first name
    • The date of birth
    • The country or territory of birth
    • The country or territory of residence
    • The status in Canada
    • The size of the family unit
    • The number of people that the potential sponsor would like to sponsor
    • The complete names and the dates of birth of the people that the potential sponsor would like to sponsor
    • Details concerning whether the potential sponsor meets the income requirements prescribed
    • The primary residential address
    • The postal code
    • The e-mail address (this is the e-mail address that the Department will need to use for all future communications) and,
    • The e-signature
• Step 2
  • Once a potential sponsor submits the Interest to Sponsor web form, they will receive a confirmation number
  • If the potential sponsor is successful in submitting the online form, they will see a computer-generated confirmation on the webpage
  • The potential sponsors will need to include this number in the sponsor’s application form, if they are among those whom the authorities randomly select to apply
  • In case the potential sponsor is unable to successfully submit the online form, they will come across an error message on the webpage
  • This error message would indicate that the potential sponsor was unable to transmit the submission and that the individual would need to try again later
• Step 3
  • The system will automatically collect the information submitted via the Interest to Sponsor web form in a database
  • The system will automatically export the potential sponsor’s biodata information and alphanumerical id to a Master list in GCDocs
• Step 4
  • At the end of the 30-day period, the Interest to Sponsor web form will close and the system will remove duplicate Interest to Sponsor web forms
  • The Centralised Network (CN-RHQ) will review the Master list and remove duplicate Interest to Sponsor web forms
• Step 5
  • The Centralised Network (CN-RHQ) will need to provide the final number of Interest to Sponsor web forms that they will send to Operations Performance and Planning (OPP) for randomisation
  • The authorities will randomly select 10,000 people and invite them to submit complete applications for sponsoring their Parent and Grandparent (PGP) to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M)
  • Operations Performance and Planning (OPP) will randomly shuffle the numbers and provide the Centralised Network (CN-RHQ) with the randomised list of numbers

The Process for People Whom the Authorities Invite for Submitting Applications to Sponsor

The authorities will randomly select potential sponsors for submitting applications to sponsor. They will send these individuals e-mails inviting them to submit applications. These invitations are not transferable. The people who submitted the Interest to Sponsor web forms will need to be the sponsors, otherwise the authorities will not accept these applications for processing.

The applications would need to:

• Be complete
• Include all the relevant supporting documents in accordance with the document checklist and,
• Be submitted within 60 days of the date on which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent the e-mail to the potential sponsors inviting them to apply

It is worth mentioning that the potential sponsors will need to pay all the appropriate processing fees in full online. Failure to provide the relevant proofs of payment or insufficient payment of fees could render the application incomplete. In this scenario, the authorities will return the application to the sponsor without processing.

It is worth highlighting that the authorities will not notify people not invited to submit an application to sponsor.

The Procedures for Accepting Parent and Grandparent (PGP) Applications into the Cap

The authorities will need to send all applications for sponsoring a Parent and Grandparent (PGP) to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M). The Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M) will need to verify that the authorities invited the person to apply once they receive these applications. In addition, the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M) will need to verify that their information matches the associated information submitted on the web form. The Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M) will need to feel satisfied that the authorities invited the person and that the information provided in the Interest to Sponsor web form matches the information on the application and the supporting documents. 

The officers will need to check the application for completeness. This is in accordance with the provisions specified in sections 10 and 11 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). The Ministerial Instructions (MIs) also specify that the applications must include the documents specified in the application package. The authorities will accept complete and documented applications from people who received the invitations to apply in the cap of 10,000 outlined in the current Ministerial Instructions (Mis). However, the authorities will need to receive these applications within the required timeframe.  The authorities will not accept incomplete or undocumented applications into the cap. Instead, the authorities will return all such applications. In addition, the authorities will not issue another invitation to apply to the sponsor. As such, the sponsor will need to re-submit the Interest to Sponsor web form once the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program re-opens.

The Process for Randomly Selected People Who Do Not Submit their Applications to Sponsor Under the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) Sponsorship Program Within the Prescribed Time

Situations could arise where some sponsors fail to submit their applications for sponsoring their Parents and Grandparents (PGP) within 60 days of the day on which the authorities sent the e-mail notifying these sponsors that the authorities had randomly selected them to apply. Once the 60-day period concludes, these people will no longer remain eligible for having their applications processed. In some cases, the authorities might receive sponsorship applications after the 60 days have passed. In this scenario, the officers will need to return these applications. As such, these sponsors will need to re-submit the Interest to Sponsor web form once the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program re-opens.

The Processing Priorities

The Department will process applications for sponsoring Parents and Grandparents (PGP) received after they have invited the sponsors to apply in accordance with regular office procedures.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

The Manual Update Required for the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) Validity from Two to Four Years

Summary

The authorities have implemented a procedure for all offices processing in-Canada refugee claims. This procedure involves changing the system default validity date of the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) from the current two-year default in the system to four years. Officers of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will need to make this change manually in the system. The authorities expect to implement the necessary permanent change to the system in Fall 2018. Until then, officers will need to follow the procedures given in this Operational Bulletin (OB).

The authorities expect officers to issue all claimants currently having Refugee Protection Claimant Documents (RPCDs) with Refugee Protection Claimant Documents (RPCDs) that specify a four-year validity period. As such, the claimants eligible for receiving Refugee Protection Claimant Documents (RPCDs) having a four-year validity period include:

• People whose claims are eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) or,
• People whose claims are ineligible – in the case of people who might be entitled to apply for Pre-Removal Risk Assessments (PRRAs)

Issue

The authorities have found that the current system default validity period of two years is not viable. It is resulting in an increase in the number of Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) renewal requests. These requests are time consuming to fulfil. In addition, some of these requests invariably led to a plethora of system-related issues. As refugee claim volumes are increasing, the volumes of such requests might register a commensurate increase as well. So, by increasing the default validity period to four years, the authorities are aiming to remedy the situation.

Background

It is worth mentioning that the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) is a document that identifies the holder as a client of Canada’s refugee protection system. Officers typically issue the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) to people whose claims are eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). In addition, officers issue the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) to people whose claims are ineligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) as well. But, this only applies to individuals who are entitled to apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). 

If applicable, the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) could indicate that the holder is eligible for coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Some clients use the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) to support applications for certain provincial benefits as well.

In 2012, the authorities made reforms to the in-Canada asylum system. Before these reforms came into effect, the authorities heard refugee claims in an average of 18 months. During this time, the officers issued Refugee Protection Claimant Documents (RPCDs) at the time of intake. These Refugee Protection Claimant Documents (RPCDs) typically had a validity span of five years. The authorities established this five-year validity span to ensure that officers would seldom, if at all, receive requests for the renewal of expired Refugee Protection Claimant Documents (RPCDs). However, once the reforms came into effect, the authorities took the decision to reduce the validity period to two years. 

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Operational Bulletin 646 – December 06, 2017

The Summary

This Operational Bulletin (OB) serves to outline the procedures for converting a Government Assisted Refugee (GAR) case into a Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) post arrival. It serves to outline the procedures in certain exceptional circumstances as well. Such exceptional cases typically feature the recommendation of a Blended Visa Office Referred Refugee (BVOR) case for the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program by:

• The sponsoring group
• A Service Provider Organisation (SPO) or,
• A domestic Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office

These cases will feature recommendations for Blended Visa Office Referred Refugee (BVOR) cases because of high settlement or medical needs.

The operational instructions given in this Operational Bulletin (OB) apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) domestic operations. As such, they serve to identify the roles and responsibilities of the following groups with reference to finding sponsors and sharing relevant information:

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officers
• The Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O)
• Service Provider Organisations (SPOs) and,
• Sponsoring groups

The Issue

It is worth mentioning that the in-Canada determination of the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) cases initiative aims at improving the quality of Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) referrals. In addition, it aims to improve the overall outcomes of the refugees. To accomplish this, it provides the refugees with the appropriate levels of support they need for integrating successfully. The authorities anticipate that this initiative will help in ensuring that the sponsoring groups participating in the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program have as much relevant information about refugee needs as possible. At the same time, the authorities anticipate that this initiative will go a long way towards increasing the overall number of Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) referrals nationally.

It is worth highlighting that the authorities do not aim to replace the current structure of an overseas identification by a migration officer by identifying Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) within Canada. Rather, by identifying Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) cases within Canada, the authorities aim to complement the existing process.

The Background

The previous experiences of the authorities have led the authorities to conclude that the special needs of some refugees might become apparent only after the clients have arrived in Canada. The authorities are aware that Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Service Provider Organisations (SPOs) possess significant expertise in settlement needs. As such, these Resettlement Assistance Program Service Provider Organisations (SPOs) might be best placed to recommend the high-needs clients that could benefit from the additional support of a sponsoring group by virtue of carrying out a detailed post arrival needs assessment.

In Blended Visa Office Referred Refugee (BVOR) cases, the authorities have found that sponsoring groups could end up struggling with having to provide the necessary support for higher needs cases. To enable these groups to provide the requisite levels of support, the authorities have enabled them to contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to request reconsideration of the case for the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program.

It is worth mentioning that currently, there are provisions for converting in-Canada Government Assisted Refugee (GAR) and Blended Visa Office Referred Refugee (BVOR) cases to Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) cases. However, it is equally possible that the local Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officers, Service Provider Organisations (SPOs) and sponsors might not be aware of this option.

For Further Information

Situations could arise where the officers have questions concerning various Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) or Visa Office Referred (VOR) procedures. Alternatively, the officers might wish to discuss specific cases. In this scenario, the authorities require these officers to contact RIM in the International Region at [email protected] and / or the Matching Centre at [email protected].

Annex 1 – The Visa Office Referred (VOR) Referral Template

Upon completing this form, the officers will need to send it to the Matching Centre at [email protected].

VOR REFERRAL

VISA OFFICE:

FILE NUMBER:

URGENCY (high, medium, low):

ETHNICITY:

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

COUNTRY OF CURRENT RESIDENCE:

FAMILY SIZE:

PRINCIPAL APPLICANT:

• Gender (M/F):
• DOB:
• Education:
• Official language(s) spoken:
• Other language(s) spoken:
• Work experience / skills:
• Special settlement needs/assistance required (Include information from the IMM 5544 “Resettlement Needs Assessment Form”):

SPOUSE:

• Gender (M/F):
• DOB:
• Education:
• Official language(s) spoken:
• Other language(s) spoken:
• Work experience / skills:
• Special settlement needs/assistance required (Include information from the IMM 5544 “Resettlement Needs Assessment Form”):

ACCOMPANYING CHILDREN (Include the following information for each):

• Relationship to HOF:
• Gender (M/F):
• DOB:
• Education:
• Official language(s) spoken:
• Other language(s) spoken:
• Work experience / skills:
• Special settlement needs/assistance required (Include information from the IMM 5544 “Resettlement Needs Assessment Form”):

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Case summary (Describe case. Detailed information about the refugee claim will assist in finding a sponsor.):
• Non-accompanying family members listed on IMM8 (Y/N) (Indicate number of persons eligible for OYW, relationship to HOF, reasons why not accompanying):
• Relatives on linked cases (Indicate file number(s) of XREF cases not requiring VOR sponsorship, relationship to HOF):
• Relatives in other countries (Indicate relationship to HOF, country of residence):
• Travel ready (Y/N) (If not travel ready, provide current case status. Travel arrangements, such as exit permits and flight bookings are to be arranged once a sponsor is found.):
• Expiry date of medicals:
• Estimated timeframe to departure once sponsor found:
• Recommended destination:

The information below will not be posted to the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) or Visa Office Referred (VOR) matching website:

NAME OF REFUGEE CAMP AND LENGTH OF STAY (If applicable):

RELIGION (Taken into consideration when planning appropriate settlement services):

REFUGEE CONTACT INFORMATION:

• Mailing address:
• Telephone number:
• E-mail address:

RELATIVES/FRIENDS IN CANADA:

• Name:
• Residence address:
• Telephone number:
• E-mail address:
• Relationship:

Annex 2 – The Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) Referral Template

Upon completing this form, the officers will need to send it to the Matching Centre at [email protected].

JAS REFERRAL

VISA OFFICE:

FILE NUMBER:

URGENCY (high, medium, low):

ETHNICITY:

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

COUNTRY OF CURRENT RESIDENCE:

FAMILY SIZE:

PRINCIPAL APPLICANT:

• Gender (M/F):
• DOB:
• Education:
• Official language(s) spoken:
• Other language(s) spoken:
• Work experience / skills:
• Special settlement needs/assistance required (Include information from the IMM 5544 “Resettlement Needs Assessment Form”):

SPOUSE:

• Gender (M/F):
• DOB:
• Education:
• Official language(s) spoken:
• Other language(s) spoken:
• Work experience / skills:
• Special settlement needs/assistance required (Include information from the IMM 5544 “Resettlement Needs Assessment Form”):

ACCOMPANYING CHILDREN (Include the following information for each):

• Relationship to HOF:
• Gender (M/F):
• DOB:
• Education:
• Official language(s) spoken:
• Other language(s) spoken:
• Work experience / skills:
• Special settlement needs/assistance required (Include information from the IMM 5544 “Resettlement Needs Assessment Form”):

REASON FOR JAS REQUEST (Mark with an “X” all that apply):

• Family size:
• Medical needs / Disability:
• Victim of Trauma or torture:
• Illiterate / Limited education:
• Elderly:
• Woman at Risk:
• Urgent Protection:
• Other (specify):

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Case summary (Describe case. Detailed information about the refugee claim will assist in finding a sponsor.):
• Non-accompanying family members listed on IMM8 (Y/N) (Indicate number of persons eligible for OYW, relationship to HOF, reasons why not accompanying):
• Relatives on linked cases (Indicate file number(s) of XREF cases not requiring VOR sponsorship, relationship to HOF):
• Relatives in other countries (Indicate relationship to HOF, country of residence):
• Travel ready (Y/N) (If not travel ready, provide current case status. Travel arrangements, such as exit permits and flight bookings are to be arranged once a sponsor is found.):
• Expiry date of medicals:
• Estimated timeframe to departure once sponsor found:
• Recommended destination:

The information below will not be posted to the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) or Visa Office Referred (VOR) matching website:

NAME OF REFUGEE CAMP AND LENGTH OF STAY (If applicable):

RELIGION (Taken into consideration when planning appropriate settlement services):

REFUGEE CONTACT INFORMATION:

• Mailing address:
• Telephone number:
• E-mail address:

RELATIVES/FRIENDS IN CANADA:

• Name:
• Residence address:
• Telephone number:
• E-mail address:
• Relationship:

Contribution (For Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Use Only):

• Requested (Y/N):
• Approved (Y/N):
• If partial, provide details:

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Operational Bulletin 650 – December 29, 2017

The Summary

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has committed to make things easier for people to get work permits with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption under Significant benefit i.e. exemption code C10. The authorities took this step primarily to meet the needs of the Quebec Department of Health and Social Services (MSSS). The authorities also took this step to address a shortage of French speaking physicians in the underserved regions of the country.

The Issue

The authorities only permit foreign physicians to apply for a work permit under the exemption code C10. It is worth mentioning that these physicians must have:

• Been selected for an assessment period or an adaptation period lasting 13 successive weeks in an accredited university clinical setting or any other clinical setting designated by the Collège des Médecins du Québec (CMQ) i.e. the college of physicians and surgeons of Quebec or,
  • Foreign physicians will need to note that the stipulated duration of 13 weeks will need to include a week of observation as well
• Subsequently obtained a restrictive permit issued by the Collège des Médecins du Québec (CMQ) i.e. the college of physicians and surgeons of Quebec, which is valid for a maximum span of five years

It is worth highlighting that physicians with a regular permit to practise in Quebec are not eligible for the exemption. This is because they do not have the obligation needed for working in an underserved region.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) remains committed to expeditiously process applications made outside Canada as part of the Global Skills Strategy within two weeks. Thus, applicants will need to make their applications online in order to benefit from the two-week processing stipulation.

For renewal applications made within Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will permit applicants transitioning from the assessment period or adaptation period to the restrictive permit for submitting their work permit application to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC-V) before the end of the period. As such, these individuals would not need to provide confirmation of the restrictive period in order to avoid a stoppage of their temporary status.

It is worth mentioning that the applications will typically need to include all the other required documents, in addition to the fees. The documents that the authorities require applicants to submit along with the applications typically include:

• The promise to hire letter for the application for eligibility for a restrictive permit
• Financial assistance agreement i.e. the work contract from the Quebec Department of Health and Social Services (MSSS) outlining the significant benefit and,
• The offer of employment

For these exceptional cases, the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC-V) will need to put applications on hold for a maximum of 60 days pending receipt of the confirmation of the restrictive permit. Once the authorities receive this document, the officers will process the application within 10 business days. It is worth mentioning that the officers will not approve renewal applications until they receive the confirmation of the restrictive permit.

The Prescribed Requirements

In order for the authorities to process the applications under the exemption code of C10, the applicants will typically need to provide:

• The complete application package
• The letter of promise to hire for the application for eligibility for a restrictive permit from the Quebec Department of Health and Social Services (MSSS) detailing the significant benefits
  • The authorities will accept and use the same letter for the renewal
• A copy of the financial assistance agreement between the health care facility, the foreign physician and the Quebec Department of Health and Social Services (MSSS) i.e. the work contract
• A copy of the confirmation letter issued by the Collège des Médecins du Québec (CMQ) i.e. the college of physicians and surgeons of Quebec stating that the authorities have admitted the foreign physician to the assessment or adaptation period or a copy of the letter from the Collège des Médecins du Québec (CMQ) i.e. the college of physicians and surgeons of Quebec stating that the authorities have granted the foreign physician a restrictive permit
• The offer of employment completed by the Collège des Médecins du Québec (CMQ) i.e. the college of physicians and surgeons of Quebec submitted via the Employer Portal that covers the assessment or adaptation period or the offer of employment from the health care facility that covers the restrictive period
  • It is worth highlighting that the offer of employment will clearly need to set out the period during which the applicant will be working for the health care facility
  • The authorities usually permit health care facilities to offer a period of employment of up to five years
• A valid medical exam
• Payment in full, which the authorities require the applicant to submit at the beginning of the process
  • In case applicants submit applications without making the complete payment, the officers will refuse and return the applications

In addition, it is worth mentioning that the authorities do not require the applicants to submit a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (QAC).

The authorities require applicants to make renewal applications in Canada. Thereafter, the applicants will need to submit the renewal applications in paper format to the following address:

The Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC-V)

Expedited Work Permit Processing

6212 – 55^th Avenue

Vegreville, Alberta

T9C 1W9

It is worth mentioning that the applicants will need to mark the envelopes with the phrase ‘Team Leader OSS’. Doing so would enable the officers to easily identify these applications from other correspondence typically received at the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC-V).

It is worth highlighting that unless the applicants follow the directions given here, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will not be able to commit to processing these applications on an expedited basis. The authorities have placed the onus on the applicant to ensure that the applicants meets these (and other) applicable requirements prescribed perfectly. 

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)