Operational Bulletin 566 – February 12, 2014

Federal Immigrant Investor Program and Entrepreneur Program Applications: Budget 2014

Summary

A number of immigration-related announcements were made in the 2014 Budget on February 11, 2014. This Operational Bulletin (OB) serves to clarify the immediate implications for processing of federal Immigrant Investor Program and Entrepreneur Program applications.

It is important to note that this OB does not apply to investor and entrepreneur applicants selected by a province (i.e., Quebec).

Background

Budget 2014 (Economic Action Plan 2014) proposes to terminate applications and return associated fees paid by certain federal Immigrant Investor Program and Entrepreneur Program applicants who applied on or before budget day. To implement this, the government’s Budget Implementation Act has to be passed by Parliament, be given royal assent and come into force.

Processing instructions

Processing of federal Immigrant Investor Program and Entrepreneur Program applications should proceed according to routine office procedures in accordance with current work plans based on previously assigned targets.

Further messaging on next steps and instructions with respect to federal Immigrant Investor Program and Entrepreneur Program applications affected by the Budget announcement will be published as soon as they become available.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will be providing standardized communications lines to respond to clients and stakeholders in the next few days. Standardized text will also be provided to advise clients of the proposed changes and the impact these changes could have on their applications. Please wait for these products before responding to clients’ enquiries.

Enquiries from the media should be referred to CIC Media Relations.