Operational Bulletin 329 - July 27, 2011

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

2 Dimension Bar Coded Temporary Resident Visa, Study Permit and Work Permit Applications

Summary

The purpose of this Operational Bulletin (OB) is to advise that as of August 1, 2011 the 2 dimension (2D) bar code forms for temporary resident visas (TRVs), work permits (WPs) and study permits (SPs) listed below are the only temporary resident application forms that will be accepted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Note: This OB replaces OB 259 (December 21, 2010), “Temporary Resident Visa Application Form Transition Date” and OB 270 (February 4, 2011), “New Overseas Temporary Resident Forms.”

Issue

Amendments have been made to processing procedures in the IC Manual, Chapter 2: Effective Screening of Temporary Residents. These changes are being forwarded separately by secure communications.

As of August 1, 2011, CIC will no longer accept any previous version of the below-mentioned forms at overseas visa offices with one exception: previous versions of the CIC work permit application which are submitted at the following visa offices under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program will continue to be accepted until September 30, 2011:

  • Mexico;
  • Jamaica.

Background

On February 15, 2011, the following new application forms and updated instruction guides were introduced across the temporary resident lines of business:

Visa and inland offices should encourage applicants to complete the new forms electronically in order to validate them by selecting the “Validate” button on the form once it is filled in to facilitate data input at the visa office.

Using the links above, all visa offices must ensure that the correct web links to the new visitor, SP and WP application forms and mission-specific checklists are provided on their mission website. Requests for changes to the missions’ websites must be made directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s web team. Visa offices that normally make changes directly to their own websites may continue to do so (e.g. New Delhi, London). Any links to the above documents must be modified or removed by no later than August 1, 2011.

Local contacts should also be made aware of the new WP and SP application forms, corresponding instruction guides and supporting documentation. This may involve requesting the removal of older version paper forms / guides in the possession of internal / external partners and stakeholders. It is also strongly recommended that applicants complete the form electronically and take advantage of the available 2D bar code so as to facilitate the intake of the form.

All in-Canada and overseas offices must ensure that all stock of previous versions of the IMM 1295 B (WP), IMM 1294 B (SP) application forms and corresponding documentation that were used when applying for SPs and WPs overseas are destroyed.

Form Details

All three temporary resident application forms (TRV, student and worker) are now consistent both in format and in the language of the questions being asked. Both the SP and WP applications request additional information unique to each line of business. All three application forms have had modifications to the following sections:

  • “Education”: now requires only the “highest level” of post-secondary education, not all levels of post-secondary education.
  • “Current Occupation”: has been renamed “Employment.” The Employment section now requires the last 10 years of employment, even if the applicant is retired.
  • “Background Information”: question 4b now requires applicants to indicate the dates of service and the countries in which they served instead of “full details.”

Communications regarding these new application forms have been provided to the CIC Call Centre and information is available on WebCART.

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