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How to get a refund

On May 2, 2006, the Government of Canada announced a reduction of 50 percent for the $975 Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Immigrants who paid the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, but who are not permanent residents of Canada as of 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006, are entitled to a refund.

This fact sheet provides information on the new fee and instructions on how to obtain a refund.

THE NEW RIGHT OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE FEE

Effective 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee will be reduced to $490. Applicants who paid the $975 fee but who have not become permanent residents of Canada as of 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006, are eligible for a refund.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND?

You are eligible for a refund if:

• You paid the $975 Right of Permanent Residence Fee; and
• You have not become a permanent resident of Canada as of 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006.

AMOUNT OF THE REFUND

The amount of the refund is $485 (Canadian dollars). The refund applies to every person who paid the fee. Due to fluctuations in exchange rates, there may be differences in refund amounts for refunds issued in local currencies outside of Canada.

HOW TO OBTAIN A REFUND

If you (or your sponsor) paid the fee in Canada

If you or your sponsor paid the $975 fee in Canada, and you did not become a permanent resident before 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006, CIC will issue a refund to you. You do not have to request it. You will receive it by mail.

If you applied under the family class, the permit holder class or the live-in caregiver class, or if you applied for permanent residence in Canada on humanitarian or compassionate grounds, you or your sponsor are eligible for a refund if you have not become a permanent resident of Canada as of 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006.

If you have moved since you paid the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, you can use our On-line services to notify us of your new address. If you do not have a permanent address, or if you have trouble using our on-line service, please contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

If you paid the fee in another country

If you paid the Right of Permanent Residence Fee in another country before 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006, and you have not yet received a visa, you can request a refund from the CIC mission where you paid the fee. If you do not request a refund, you will receive one when your visa is issued.

If you paid the Right of Permanent Residence Fee in another country, and you have received your visa but you have not yet become a permanent resident of Canada as of 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006, you can request a refund after you become a permanent resident of Canada.

If you have not received a refund before you become a permanent resident, you will be given information on how to request one when you arrive in Canada.