User Fees Reporting

User Fees

The following tables list CIC user fees and provide information regarding the history of the fees, client service outcomes, revenue and associated costs.

Notes regarding all fees:

1. Forecasted revenues are based on CIC’s 2013–14 Report on Plans and Priorities - archived which have been established on a cash basis, , i.e., revenues recognized when an application is received.
2. In 2012–13, the actual revenues are reported on an accrual basis—revenues recognized when an application is processed—compared with reporting on a cash basis in the 2011–12 DPR user fee table, which explains in part variances between forecasted and actual revenues. The actual revenue amounts are net of current year remissions and exclude revenues with respect to interest for the Immigration Loan Program.
3. Deferred revenues fluctuation is now presented separately under “Other Revenues” and not reallocated among business lines as reported in the 2011–12 DPR user fee table.
4. The full cost methodology to produce the 2012–13 user fee table total cost, including other government departments (OGD), was reviewed and revised. Therefore the year-over-year analysis may not be comparable with the 2011–12 estimated full cost as reported in the DPR 2011–12.
5. The full cost for 2012–13 and the estimated full cost for planning years are based on the final CIC 2011–12 and OGD unit costs from the CIC Cost Management Model (CMM) by applying the 2012–13 and future-year volume fluctuation where applicable to the 2011–12 unit costs. They represent the best available cost data at the time of producing this table. This methodology does not account for fluctuations due to changes in application processing that may have occurred in 2012–13 since the unit costs are based on 2011–12 information.

   OGDs included in the CIC’s CMM are Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada; PWGSC; the IRB; the RCMP; Department of Justice; Employment and Social Development Canada; Canadian Security Intelligence Service; CBSA; and Treasury Board Secretariat.

6. It should be noted that CIC’s service standards were not developed to relate to user fees but rather to application processing times.
7. According to prevailing legal opinion, where the corresponding fee introduction or most recent modification occurred prior to March 31, 2004:
   • the performance standard, if provided, may not have received parliamentary review;
   • the performance standard, if provided, may not respect all established requirements under the User Fees Act (e.g., international comparison, independent complaint redress); and
   • the performance result, if approved, is not legally subject to section 5.1 of the User Fees Act regarding fee reductions for unachieved performance.

User Fee: Right of Permanent Residence Fee

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: Financial Administration Act (FAA); Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA); and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)

Date Last Modified: 2006

Performance Standards: This fee is collected for all persons who become permanent residents of Canada except for persons who are exempted by regulations from paying the fee (protected persons and dependent children).

Performance Results: The fee is collected for 100 percent of applicants who do not qualify for a regulatory exemption. This fee is closely linked to the processing of permanent resident applications in Canada and overseas.

User Fee: Permanent Residence Application Fee, Permanent Resident Card (PRC) Fee, Permanent Resident Travel Document Fee and Sponsorship Application Fee for Family Classes

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: IRPA and IRPR

Year Last Modified: 2002

Performance Standards: Permanent Residence Application Processing: Priority is given to processing the reunification of immediate family members—spouses, partners and dependent children—and to the other lines of business for which CIC has service standards (Quebec-selected skilled worker, Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program applications, as well as federal skilled worker applications received after June 26, 2010).

Service standards on applications for permanent residence are as follows:

As of April 1, 2010:

• Immediate members of the Family Class processed overseas (spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children processed overseas): We aim to process 80 percent of these applications within 12 months from the time the application is received at the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Mississauga.

As of September 30, 2011, new service standards were implemented for other permanent resident classes, including:

• Federal skilled workers: We aim to process 80 percent of federal skilled worker applications received after June 26, 2010, within one year from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.
• Provincial nominees and Quebec-selected skilled workers: We aim to process 80 percent of provincial nominee and Quebec-selected skilled worker applications within 11 months from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision (does not include provincial processing time).
• Canadian Experience Class: We aim to process 80 percent of Canadian Experience Class applications within 10 months from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.

Sponsorship application for Family Class processed abroad: There is no public commitment on the time taken to process the sponsorship portion of the Family Class application. However, please see above for the service standard on the end-to-end application process (which includes both the sponsorship application and the application for permanent residence) for spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children processed overseas.

Permanent resident travel documents processed overseas: Processed expeditiously.

PRCs: There are two types of clients for the PRC—new permanent residents who have never had a PRC and existing permanent residents requesting their first PRC or renewing or replacing their current PRC. As of April 2010, PRCs for new clients are subject to a two-month processing service standard.

Performance Results: Permanent resident application processing: In calendar year 2012, overseas missions issued 238,919 permanent resident visas, and 28,261 were issued in Canada (CPC-Vegreville and in-Canada regions). In 2012, the in-Canada network processed permanent residence applications for 4,157 live-in caregivers; 9,875 protected persons in Canada; and 8,911 spouses, partners and children.

In the 2012–13 fiscal year, performance against service standards related to permanent residence lines of business was as follows:

• Spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children processed overseas: In 2012–13, 66 percent of spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children overseas applications were processed within this service standard, with 80 percent of files being processed in 16 months.
• Federal skilled workers (received after June 26, 2010): In 2012–13, 62 percent of these applications were processed within the 12-month service standard.
• Provincial nominees and Quebec-selected skilled workers: In 2012–13, 61 percent of provincial nominee and Quebec-selected skilled worker applications were processed within this service standard, with 80 percent of applications being processed in 18 months or less.
• Canadian Experience Class: In 2012–13, 68 percent of Canadian Experience Class applications were processed within this service standard, with 80 percent of applications being processed in 13 months or less.

Recent processing times for all permanent residents are updated regularly on the CIC website. At the end of calendar year 2012, the in-Canada processing time for permanent residence applications was within 38 months for 80 percent of live-in caregivers; within 24 months for 80 percent of protected persons in Canada; and within 21 months (including sponsorship processing time) for spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and children. In-Canada operations (including CPC-Vegreville and the in-Canada regions) currently process applications for permanent residence for protected persons, live-in caregivers eligible to apply under the program, members of the spouse and common-law partner in-Canada Family Class, applicants considered under humanitarian and compassionate grounds, as well as permit holders.

Sponsorship application for Family Class processed abroad: The sponsorship eligibility for members of the Family Class processed abroad is generally assessed at CPC-Mississauga, with support this year from the Case Processing Pilot in Ottawa. Priority processing is given to spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, and dependent children. In 2012, CPC-Mississauga processed Family Class sponsorship applications for 53,393 spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and children, and for 52,853 parents and grandparents.

In 2012, applications received at CPC-Mississauga for the sponsorship portion of the Family Class priority class were processed within three months in 80 percent of cases. While there is no public commitment on this portion of the process, the results against the service standard for the end-to-end process on spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children processed overseas is provided above.

At the end of calendar year 2012, Family Class sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents were processed within 48 months for 80 percent of applications processed as older files continued to be processed. Orphans and adopted children are processed daily on a priority basis. Recent processing times for CPCs are updated weekly on the CIC website.

Permanent resident travel documents processed overseas: In calendar year 2012, 80 percent of applications were processed within 15 days.

PRCs: In 2012–13, 61 percent of new PRC applications were processed within the service standard of two months, with 80 percent of files processed within 69 days. Overall, all PRCs (including initial issue, replacement and renewal for existing permanent residents) received at the end of 2012–13 were being processed within 73 days.

User Fee: Work Permit Fee (Individuals and Performing Artist Groups)

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: IRPA and IRPR

Year Last Modified: 1997

Performance Standards: Work permits processed overseas and in Canada: As of September 30, 2011, service standards were implemented for all work permit applications:

• Work permit applications submitted outside Canada: We aim to process 80 percent of work permit applications received from outside Canada (excluding Live-in Caregiver Program) within two months from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.
• Work permit applications for live-in caregivers submitted from outside Canada: We aim to process 80 percent of live-in caregiver work permit applications received from outside Canada within one year and four months from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.
• Work permit applications submitted in Canada (same and new employer): We aim to process 80 percent of work permit applications submitted in Canada for same and new employers within four months from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.
• Off-campus work permit applications submitted in Canada: We aim to process 80 percent of off-campus work permit applications submitted in Canada within four months from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.

Performance Results:Work permits processed overseas and in Canada: In 2012, work permits were issued overseas to 147,154 persons while the volume of work permits and extensions issued in Canada was 204,125 persons (includes both paper and electronic applications). CPC-Vegreville prioritizes work permits for those who are changing employers, as applicants extending their permit with the same employer benefit from implied status, and may continue to work until a decision is rendered on their case, with certain conditions.
Performance against service standards, which were established in September 2011, was as follows:

• Work permit applications received from outside Canada: In 2012–13, 84 percent of work permit applications received from outside Canada (excluding Live-in Caregiver Program) were processed within the two-month service standard.
• Work permit applications for live-in caregivers received from outside Canada: In 2012–13, 91 percent of live-in caregiver work permit applications received from outside Canada were processed within the one-year, four-month service standard.
• Work permit applications submitted in Canada for new and same employers: In 2012–13, 94 percent of work permit applications submitted in Canada for new and same employers were processed within the four-month (122-day) service standard.
• Off-campus work permit applications submitted in-Canada: In 2012–13, 100 percent of off-campus work permit applications submitted in Canada were processed within the four-month service standard.

User Fee: Study Permit Fee

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: IRPA and IRPR

Year Last Modified: 1994

Performance Standards: Study permit applications processed overseas and in Canada: As of September 30, 2011, new service standards were implemented for all study permit applications:

• New study permit and permit extension applications submitted in Canada: We aim to process 80 percent of new study permit and permit extension applications submitted in Canada within four months from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.
• New study permit applications submitted outside Canada: We aim to process 80 percent of new study permit applications submitted outside Canada within two months from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.

Performance Results: Volume of study permits issued overseas and in Canada: In calendar year 2012, study permits and extensions were issued overseas to 105,676 persons; for in-Canada applications, study permits and extensions (including both paper and electronic applications) were issued for 76,270 persons.

Results against the September 2011 service standards are as follows:

• New study permit applications submitted outside Canada: In 2012–13, 87 percent of new study permit applications submitted outside Canada were processed within the two-month service standard.
• New study permit and permit extension applications submitted in Canada: In 2012–13, 98 percent of new study permit and permit extension applications submitted in Canada were processed within the four-month service standard.

User Fee: Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Application Fee, Extension of Authorization to Remain in Canada as a Temporary Resident Fee and Restoration of Temporary Resident Status Fee

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: IRPA and IRPR

Year Last Modified: 1997

Performance Standards: A new service standard was implemented in September 2011 for TRV applications submitted outside Canada:

• New TRV applications submitted outside Canada: We aim to process 80 percent of new TRV applications submitted outside Canada within two weeks from the date we receive a complete application package/request to the date of the final decision.

Performance Results: New TRV applications submitted outside Canada: In 2012–13, 74 percent of new TRV applications submitted outside Canada were processed within the two-week service standard implemented in September 2011; 80 percent of these applications were processed within 19 days.

Extensions of authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident: CPC-Vegreville processes extensions of authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident in various formats, including both paper and electronic applications. Recent processing times for CPCs are updated weekly on the CIC website.

Restoration of temporary resident status: These applications are submitted into various processing streams, including students, workers and visitors, depending on the status that the applicant needs to regain. They are processed according to the processing times of the stream under which they are applying, and thus there are no separate processing times available for these cases.

User Fee: Temporary Resident Permit (TRP Fee) Fee

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: IRPA and IRPR

Year Last Modified: 1997

Performance Standards: TRPs processed overseas and in Canada: TRPs are processed expeditiously. The variability in the complexity of the cases and the inadmissibilities being addressed mean that no meaningful service standard can be established.

Performance Results: TRPs processed overseas and in Canada: TRPs processed overseas are issued to overcome an inadmissibility identified during the processing of any type of visa application; as such, processing times for TRPs abroad are not available. TRPs processed in Canada are received at CPC–Vegreville and may be referred to local CIC offices for processing. In calendar year 2012, 80 percent of TRP applications were processed within 111 days, and TRP extensions were processed within 109 days.

User Fee: Other Immigration Services (Rehabilitation; Authorization to Return to Canada; Immigration Statistical Data; Certification and Replacement of Immigration Documents)

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: IRPA and IRPR

Year Last Modified: Various

Performance Standards: Applications processed overseas: Authorizations to return to Canada (ARCs) are processed expeditiously. No meaningful service standard can be established because ARC cases are extremely variable in nature and complexity. The need for an ARC is usually identified during the processing of any type of visa application.

Certification and replacement of immigration documents:

Clients can obtain a certified true copy or a replacement copy of most documents issued by Canadian immigration authorities that have been lost, stolen or destroyed. Requests for certified copies of expired immigration documents are sent to the Query Response Centre via a local CIC. Clients may also request changes to and obtain a replacement of certain current, valid immigration documents.

Recent processing times

are updated frequently on the CIC website.

Performance Results:Applications processed overseas: ARCs are processed expeditiously but the variable nature and complexity of ARC cases means that there can be no meaningful performance results.

Certification and replacement of immigration documents: Recent processing times are updated regularly on the CIC website.

User Fee: Right of Citizenship Fee

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: FAA, Citizenship Act and Citizenship Regulations

Year Last Modified: 1997

Performance Standards: This fee is payable by persons obtaining citizenship status. Persons under 18 years of age do not pay the right of citizenship fee. This fee is linked to acquisition of citizenship status. See CIC’s fee list for additional details.

Performance Results: Recent processing times are updated regularly on the CIC website. In calendar year 2012, the national processing time for 80 percent of citizenship grants was within 26 months; citizenship grants were processed for 126,492 persons.

User Fee: Citizenship Fees: Grant, Retention, Resumption and Renunciation of Citizenship

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: Citizenship Act and Citizenship Regulations

Year Last Modified: 1997

Performance Standards: Recent processing times are updated quarterly on the CIC website.

Performance Results: In calendar year 2012, the national processing time for 80 percent of citizenship grants was within 26 months; citizenship grants were processed for 126,492 persons. Recent processing times are updated frequently on the CIC website.

User Fee: Citizenship Status Document Fees: Proof of Citizenship and Search for Record of Citizenship

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-setting Authority: Citizenship Act and Citizenship Regulations

Year Last Modified: 1997

Performance Standards: Recent processing times are updated quarterly on the CIC website.

Performance Results: In calendar year 2012, the processing time for 80 percent of citizenship proofs was within seven months; CIC issued 46,044 citizenship proofs. Processing times for citizenship proofs are updated regularly on the CIC website.

User Fee: Fees for Processing Access Requests Filed under the Access to Information Act (ATIA)

Fee Type: Other products and services

Fee-setting Authority: ATIA

Year Last Modified: 1992

Performance Standards: Response provided within 30 days following receipt of request; the response time may be extended pursuant to section 9 of the ATIA. Notice of extension is to be sent within 30 days after receipt of request. The ATIA provides further details.

Performance Results: CIC received 25,010 requests under the ATIA in 2012–13 (not including 2,217 requests carried over from the previous year) and completed 26,020 requests during the same period. In 93 percent of the completed cases, CIC responded within the legislative timeframe.

Other Information: The number of ATIA requests received by the Department has increased significantly, almost tripling over the past six years. This has resulted in increased costs to process these requests. Source: ARCHIVED – Annual Report 2012–13—Privacy Act, Access to Information Act

User Fee Totals
($ thousands)

External Fees