Payments abroad

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

Right of Permanent Residence Fee

Effective January 14, 2014, economic and business class applicants outside Canada can pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) online by using an accepted credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express only).

Processing online RPRF payments and related refunds

The data capture in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) for online fee payments using HPM receipts is very similar to that for payments received at visa offices using POS+ receipts. However, unlike POS+ receipts, the HPM receipt information entered in GCMS is integrated with HPM and CIC's financial system (IFMS).

For each completed online fee payment, an HPM receipt is electronically generated. Payers have the choice to print the receipt and mail it or to submit it via e-mail as proof of payment.

Processing online RPRF payments

  1. The client pays the RPRF online via the CIC website using an accepted credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express only).
    • Upon approval of the online payment, funds are deposited directly into CIC's bank account in Ottawa. As a result, data capture in IMS (SAP of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD)) and POS+ are not required, and these payments are therefore excluded from the monthly certification of immigration deposits.
    • After a delay of up to three (3) business days, the HPM receipt number will be available for selection in GCMS.
  2. The client submits the HPM receipt to the appropriate visa office as proof of payment.
  3. A GCMS user at the visa office will retrieve the HPM receipt number specified on the receipt submitted by the client (assuming at least 3 business days have passed).
  4. A GCMS user at the visa office responsible for cost recovery will record the payment for the HPM receipt under the client's application and allocate the payment.

Processing refunds of online RPRF payments

  1. The visa office that recorded/allocated the online payment in GCMS (displayed as the “Create office” on the fee tab in GCMS) must trigger the refund process in GCMS.
  2. The visa office processing the refund completes the Refund Request Form for Online Payments Only.
  3. The refund request form must be signed by a delegated employee with refund of revenue authority [Section 34 (Restricted to section 20) of the Financial Administration Act].
  4. The completed form and a copy of the HPM receipt must be sent to NHQ Finance.
  5. NHQ Finance will issue the refund payment within 4 to 6 weeks. No intervention is required by DFATD visa office finance.

Note: in cases where it is not possible to make the refund payment via the original credit card, for example, if the card has expired, NHQ Finance will issue a cheque (in the appropriate currency) to the payee and mailing address as stated on the refund request form. Should a cheque from Canada not be possible, NHQ Finance will communicate with the client to identify an alternate method of payment.

Communications to applicants

Visa offices are encouraged to promote online RPRF payments for economic and business class applicants outside Canada, and submission via e-mail, by including the following message in fee payment instructions:

"You can now pay your Right of Permanent Residence Fee online. Instructions on how to pay your fees can be found at: https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/epay/welcome.do?lang=en. Once you have completed your online payment, please retain a copy of the receipt and forward the confirmation of payment to the following e-mail address: [insert appropriate visa office generic mailbox address]. The e-mail to our office must include the following information:

  • Subject line: Payment for [insert your immigration file number]
  • Body: Given/family names and date of birth of the principal applicant."

Due to the wide variations in banking conditions from visa office to visa office, forms of payment abroad are decided jointly between DFATD and the CIC manager on a post-by-post basis. Decisions on alternate banking arrangements for payment of fees abroad require the approval of International Region Management Services in cooperation with DFATD.

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