Operational Bulletin 622 – May 13, 2016

Updated functionality enabling applicants to register an application to an online account

Summary

Effective immediately, clients who have an application in progress that was submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under most temporary residence programs may now register that application to their online account (i.e., MyCIC account), using the new “Register my Application” functionality, regardless of the method used to submit the application.

Applicants who register their application to their online account (i.e., MyCIC account) will receive IRCC correspondence in a secure online environment rather than by mail or external email. They will also have the ability to view their case status updates online and to provide information electronically when requested to do so by an IRCC officer

It should be noted that authorized paid representatives must use the Authorized Paid Representatives Portal to register their client’s application. The ability to view case status updates and provide information electronically will also be available in this portal. Representatives must not use the MyCIC account.

Issue

The purpose of this Operational Bulletin (OB) is to inform IRCC staff that some clients, or their authorized paid representative, who submit paper applications will now be requesting that IRCC communicate with them through their online account rather than by mail. This OB briefly explains the updated eServices functionality and its benefits.

Background

IRCC’s long-term vision is to move toward electronic submission for the vast majority of applications across all major lines of business and to streamline the intake process to offer clients an intuitive and responsive service experience.

Until this transition occurs, IRCC will continue to receive both paper and electronic applications. Therefore, there is a need to provide clients with the ability to register their application to an online account, regardless of the method used to submit the application, in order for these clients to benefit from functionalities available online.

Current functionality

Functionality currently exists to support clients who have an online account (i.e., MyCIC account) but can no longer access it and need to create a new one (e.g., because they have lost their secure credentials). The “Link My Application” functionality provides the ability to link existing e-applications to a new online account. It should be noted that authorized paid representatives must use the Authorized Paid Representatives Portal and not MyCIC for linking to a client’s application.

Updated functionality effective April 9, 2016

As of April 9, 2016, clients and authorized paid representatives who have a temporary residence application in progress in select lines of business will be able to use the enhanced functionality to link that application to their online account, regardless of the method used to submit the application. By doing so, they will benefit from the services available to clients who applied electronically, including the ability to receive correspondence from IRCC electronically, to submit requested information electronically and to monitor the status of their application online.

The updated functionality is available to the following temporary residence lines of business as of April 9:

• temporary resident visa
• visitor record
• study permit and extension
• work permit and extension
• International Experience Canada

Additional lines of business, including the family class, the economic permanent residence program and the refugee program, will be subsequently phased in. Clients can find the types of applications that can be linked to online accounts by visiting the Check your application status page.

See also the client instructions for registering an application to an online account.