Ministerial Instructions on Mandatory Online Applications

Policy effect

New Ministerial Instructions mandate that all applications for Temporary Resident Visas, work permits, and study permits submitted by foreign nationals outside of Canada must be processed through electronic filing.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: New Ministerial Instructions mandate that all applications for Temporary Resident Visas, work permits, and study permits submitted by foreign nationals outside of Canada must be processed through electronic filing.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… objectives, as laid out in section 3 of the *Immigration and Refugee Protection Act*, include the establishment of fair and efficient procedures, to maintain the integrity of the Canadian immigration system. ## Scope These Instructions apply to new applications for Temporary Resident Visas, work permits and study permits, submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on or after the coming into force of these Instructions. ## Applications Submitted from Outside Canada to be Submitted by Electronic Means - Temporary Residence All applications for a Temporary Resident Visa (including a Transit Visa), a work permit, or a study permit submitted by foreign nationals who are outside Canada at the time of application must be submitted using electronic means (apply online). The following foreign nationals who are outside Canada and submitting applications for temporary resident visas, work permits, and study permits may submit these applications by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose: - Foreign nationals who, because of a disability are unable to meet a requirement to make an application, submit any document or provide a signature or … for that purpose, in accordance with these Instructions. ## Effective date These Instructions take effect on February 1, 2021 and expire September 30, 2021. Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Dated at Ottawa, this 28th day of January, 2021 ## Page details 2021-02-01 ## About this site ### Immigration and citizenship - [Help Centre](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/index-featured-can.asp) - [Contact us](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc.html) - [Check your application status](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other Canada changes operative in 2021

• 2021-01-05Parents and Grandparents Program 2020 Income Requirement Relief
• 2021-01-27Temporary public policy for former students in Canada with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits
• 2021-02-22Enhanced COVID-19 Border Compliance and Quarantine Mandates
• 2021-04-01Temporary public policy to exempt certain visitors in Canada from immigration requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
• 2021-05-17Expansion of Education Requirements for Hong Kong Open Work Permit Pathway
• 2021-06-17Rules Amending the Federal Courts Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection Rules (SOR/2021-149)
• 2021-06-21Expansion of Travel Exemptions for Approved Permanent Residents
• 2021-06-28Special PR Policy for Over-Cap International Graduate Applicants (TR to PR Pathway)
• 2021-06-28Temporary public policy exempting some foreign nationals in Canada from requiring an immigration medical exam
• 2021-06-29Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA) Submission Period Restored to 60 Days
• 2021-07-09Expansion of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) to Seven New Countries
• 2021-07-16Launch of a Dedicated Refugee Stream for Human Rights Defenders
• 2021-07-20Announcement and Criteria for 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Intake
• 2021-07-30Updated Temporary Public Policy for Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
• 2021-08-12Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Seizure Provisions) — SOR/2021-202
• 2021-08-13Establishment of the Special Afghan Resettlement Programs
• 2021-08-31Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Eligibility Expansion to Quebec Economic Streams
• 2021-08-31Expiration of Broad COVID-19 Restoration Public Policy
• 2021-09-01Mandatory Electronic Filing for Temporary Resident Applications
• 2021-09-07Border Reopening and Quarantine Exemption for All Fully Vaccinated International Travelers
• 2021-09-09Re-issuance of Exemption Policy for Excluded Family Members (IRPR 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d))
• 2021-09-19Temporary Public Policy for Resettlement of NATO's Afghan Locally Engaged Staff
• 2021-09-30Resettlement Pathway for Afghan Human Rights Defenders
• 2021-10-06Extension of In-Person Exemption for Inland Refugee Claimants
• 2021-10-18Changes to the pre-removal risk assessment for Afghanistan
• 2021-10-25Afghan Families Resettlement Program Status Update
• 2021-11-05Closure of Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) Pathway
• 2021-11-30Mandatory ArriveCAN Vaccine Disclosure for Essential Services
• 2021-12-09New Permanent Residence Pathway for Extended Family of Afghan Interpreters
• 2021-12-16Fee Exemptions and Status Extensions for Foreign Nationals Directly Affected by British Columbia Floods