Canada testing phone confirmation for approved permanent residents

IMPACT – LOW

What is the change? Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is testing the use of telephone interviews to confirm permanent residency for selected applicants who are already in Canada.

What does the change mean? In the pilot, an approved permanent residence applicant who is already in Canada may receive an email or a message through their IRCC account inviting them to be confirmed as a permanent resident by telephone at a specified date and time. Those confirmed by telephone will then receive their permanent residency confirmation by mail or uploaded to their IRCC account online. The interview will last approximately 15 minutes and the applicant will sign the permanent residence document during the telephone call.

• Implementation time frame: The pilot is ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Selected approved permanent resident applicants already in Canada.
• Impact on processing times: If the pilot is successful and implemented, the telephone confirmation system will speed confirmation times for approved permanent residents already residing in Canada. 

Background: Currently, approved permanent residence applicants in Canada must travel to an IRCC office for an in-person appointment or leave and re-enter Canada for confirmation. The pilot is testing a third option for confirmation that would save approved applicants time and travel expenses.

BAL Analysis: If successful, the IRCC’s telephone confirmation system for permanent residence will make it easier for approved applicants to confirm their permanent residency. BAL will continue monitoring the IRCC’s pilot and inform clients if and when the pilot is considered successful and fully implemented.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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