Operational Bulletin 497 - January 29 2013
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Closure and Transfer of Visa and Immigration Services of the Canadian Embassy in Caracas
Summary
The purpose of this Operational Bulletin is to provide information regarding the closure of the Caracas visa office, and the transfer of visa and immigration services.
Background
Effective immediately, the Visa and Immigration Section of the Canadian Embassy in Caracas is closed.
Instructions
TEMPORARY RESIDENT PROCESSING
New Applications
New Temporary Resident applications can be submitted online or at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Caracas.
VACs taking applications for residents of Venezuela (Caracas) will continue to operate normally, and applicants are encouraged to use those services.
Applications in-Process
Temporary Resident applications currently in process in Caracas will continue to be processed and finalized at that office.
PERMANENT RESIDENT PROCESSING AND PERMANENT RESIDENT TRAVEL DOCUMENT PROCESSING
New Applications
New Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) applications should be submitted to the VAC in Caracas and will be processed at the visa office in Mexico City.
New Economic Class applications should continue to first be submitted to the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (CIO-S).
New Family Class applications should continue to first be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (CPC-M).
As of January 30, 2013, CIO-S, CPC-M, Case Processing Centre in Ottawa (CPC-O) and the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC-V) should forward files previously referred to Caracas for processing to the visa office in Mexico City.
Applications in-Process
Applications currently in process in Caracas have been transferred to the visa office in Mexico City. All original supporting documents accompanying applications have also been transferred. Applicants who have already sent document to the Canadian Embassy in Caracas do not need to re-send them.
External Client Enquiries
During the transition period, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will make all efforts to minimize processing delays. We ask that applicants and their representatives avoid contacting the visa office during this time. Applicants will be contacted by the visa office as soon as the processing of their application is complete.
Enquiries may be directed to the appropriate visa office, or, if you are in Canada, by e-mail to question@cic.gc.ca.
Web Sites
Expiry of Directives
These directives will remain in force until further notice. Further instructions will be communicated as required.
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