Resettlement from outside Canada: After applying
A Canadian visa office will process your application. Most visa offices
follow similar steps to process applications (see the information below).
However, there may be some differences from one office to another.
Letter of confirmation
After you submit your application, the visa office will send you a letter
to confirm it received the application. Your file number will be
at the top of the letter. Make sure you include your file number
if you contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) about your case for any reason.
Application assessment process
A visa officer will check to see that
you included everything needed with your application. The officer will make
sure that you completed your application forms correctly and included the
proper supporting documents.
Most applicants will be asked to attend a personal interview. If an interview
is required, the visa office will contact you and give you information about
the time and place of the interview. Your dependants may be asked to attend
as well.
You should be prepared to tell the visa officer why you consider yourself
a refugee. The officer will ask you questions to assess your situation.
When you attend the interview, bring any documents related to your case
and that may help the visa officer establish your identity and support
your claim.
Processing time
The time it takes to process applications varies depending on
the visa office where you applied. You can find information about application
processing times in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side
of this page.
You may be able to speed up the process if you:
- make sure you include all the information needed with your application
- notify the visa office if information on your application changes
- don’t call the visa office if you don’t need to
- make sure the photocopies and documents you provide are clear and easy
to read and
- provide certified English or French translations of documents, where
needed.
Your application will take longer if the visa office has to take extra
steps to assess your case. This can happen if:
- you do not sign or fully complete your application forms
- documents are missing, or if you do not give a good explanation of why
documents are not included
- there are criminal or security problems with your application
- you do not include a certified English or French translation, if asked
to
- there are problems verifying the information and documents you provided
- you need more tests or consultations for a medical condition you have
- your family situation is not clear for reasons like a divorce, adoption
or child custody case that hasn’t been resolved
- the local visa office has to consult with other CIC offices in Canada
or abroad or
- there is not enough postage on your application.
You can check the status of your application online by going to Check
My Application Status in the I Need To… section on the right-hand
side of this page.
Medical examinations
You must pass a medical examination before coming to Canada. Your dependants
must also pass a medical examination, even if they are not coming with you.
Applications for permanent residence will not be approved if your health
is a danger to public health or safety.
Instructions on how to take the medical examination will be sent to you
after you send in your application. You can find more information about
medical examinations in the I Need To… section on the right-hand
side of this page.
Criminal and security checks
If you have a criminal record, you may not be allowed to enter Canada and
your permanent residence application may be refused. People who pose a risk
to Canada’s security are also not allowed to enter the country.
If you want to immigrate to Canada, you and any family members 18 years of age and older who come with you must have background, criminal and security
checks.
You can find more information about criminal and security checks in the I Need To…
section on the right-hand side of this page.
Change of address
If you move or change your address, telephone number or any other contact
information after you apply, you must notify CIC. Contact
the visa office where you applied.
The decision on your application
If your application is successful, CIC will issue a permanent resident
visa and a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) to you. Your
COPR will include identification information as well as your photograph
and signature. You must have your COPR and your visa with
you when you arrive in Canada.
If your application is refused, the decision will not be revised, but you may complete a new application.
Travelling to Canada
If you are selected to resettle in Canada, CIC may give you a loan to pay
for airfare or, in really exceptional cases, grant you the money. CIC will
book your passage. If you do not have a passport, CIC will help you obtain
travel documents to allow you to come to Canada.
If you do not have a passport, you will need either an International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC) travel document or a single-journey travel document.
The single-journey travel document is issued by CIC.
The visa office where you submit your application will give you information
about travelling to Canada.