Health-care workers permanent residence pathway: COVID-19 program delivery – Making a final decision

This section includes information on finalizing the application.

On this page

• Approving the application
• Refusing the application
• Withdrawal of applications under the public policy

Approving the application

When all requirements are met, IRCC will do the following

• ensure family members are still admissible, meaning that medical results and background checks are still valid
• verify that the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) has been paid
• enter a final decision in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
• issue an approval letter requiring applicants with a claim, appeal or application as indicated below to withdraw it in order to be granted permanent residence through one of the public policies

As a final condition, applicants are required to

• withdraw their refugee claim or refugee appeal to the Immigration, Refugee Board (IRB)
• discontinue their application to the Federal Court or their appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal in relation to an underlying IRB negative decision

Once IRCC receives confirmation of the withdrawal, the department may proceed with finalizing the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and granting permanent resident status.

Should the individual decide not to withdraw or discontinue their claim, appeal or application, those processes will proceed and their application for permanent residence under the public policy will be refused (see Refusing the application).

Refusing the application

All refused applicants must be provided with a formal refusal letter. When a case is refused, the processing office must do all of the following

• send a letter to the principal applicant explaining the reasons for the refusal
• inform applicants who paid the RPRF that they are entitled to a refund and provide an approximate timeframe for its receipt

IRCC will also

• inform the IRB that the application was refused (if the applicant had a pending claim that was put on hold)
• inform MIFI that the application was refused, if a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) under the Special program for asylum seekers during the COVID-19 period was issued

Withdrawal of applications under the public policy

In cases where an applicant requests to withdraw their application under the public policy, IRCC will

• send a letter to inform the applicant if the withdrawal of the application is accepted
• inform the IRB, if the applicant had a pending claim or appeal that was put on hold
• inform MIFI that the application has been withdrawn, if applicable