Home Visas and Immigration IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE NEW YORK AREA Refund of Right of Permanent Residence Fee

Refund of Right of Permanent Residence Fee

On May 2nd, 2006, the Government of Canada announced a significant reduction in the fees to become a permanent resident of Canada.  As a result of the change, many immigrants who have already paid the Right of Permanent Residence Fee and who have not yet received Permanent Residence status in Canada will be entitled to refunds.  Immigrants who did not pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee up-front will be requested to pay a new, lower fee before the visa is issued.

As 12:00 EDT, May 3rd, 2006, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee will be reduced in all categories to CAD$490.  Applicants who have already paid the higher fee, but who have not yet received status as a permanent resident in Canada, are eligible for a refund of CAD$485.  The refund applies to every person who paid the fee as long as they have not been given permanent resident status in Canada before May 3rd, 2006.

The change applies to the Right of Permanent Residence Fee only.  The application processing fees remain unchanged.

Refunds will be processed as quickly as possible however a delay will be expected topermit systems to be updated and procedures to be put into place.

If your sponsor paid the fee in Canada, the refund will be sent directly to him/her.  Your sponsor will receive the refund in the mail.  If your sponsor has moved since the Right of Permanent Residence Fee was paid, he or she can use our On-line services to notify us of the new address.  This service is available in English, click here and in French, click here.

If you paid the Right of Permanent Residence Fee outside Canada when you submitted your application and your visa was not issued prior to 12:00 EDT, May 3rd, 2006, you can ask for a refund from the Canadian Embassy,  High Commission or Consulate where your application is being processed and where you paid the fee.  If you do not ask for the refund,  you will receive it automatically when your visa is issued.

If you have already received your visa, but you have not yet traveled to Canada,  you will receive information on how to claim your refund at the Port of Entry when you arrive in Canada.  Please note that these requests for refunds will be processed in Canada only and cannot be entertained at missions abroad.

Note that you will be asked to provide proof of payment of having paid the right of Permanent Residence Fee overseas.  Also note that the exchange ate used to calculate the Canadian dollar amount of the refund is based on the current exchange rate and may be different from the one in effect at the time of payment.  Gains or losses due to exchange rate fluctuations are borne by the applicant.

If your application was received at the Consulate General with the higher fee before the date of the change, processing of your application will not be delayed.  The higher the fee will be accepted and a refund will be provided to yuo at a future date.  However, if your application with the higher (incorrect) fee was received at the Consulate General after the date of the change on May 3rd, it will be returned to you so that the correct fee can be paid.

For more information on the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and its Regulations and on the new fee please visit the CIC website on-line, click here.