Program delivery update – June 27, 2017

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

Temporary resident visa requirement imposed for citizens of Antigua and Barbuda

Effective June 27, 2017, paragraph 190(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) was amended to impose the temporary resident visa (TRV) requirement for citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. Further, section R12.05 was amended to note that previously issued electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) to formerly visa-exempt foreign nationals would be rendered invalid following the imposition date and time.

Transitional instructions

These instructions apply starting June 27, 2017, at 5:30 a.m. EDT.

Following the coming into force of the amendment to the IRPR, overseas and in-Canada offices will process applications for TRVs by nationals of Antigua and Barbuda.

Any eTAs previously issued to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda will be rendered invalid and, as such, cannot be used for travel. This includes eTAs issued to valid study or work permit holders. Following the imposition, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda will need to apply for a TRV to travel to Canada. Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda who are lawful permanent residents of the United States or otherwise eligible for an eTA (e.g., through other citizenships) may still apply for one.

The following instructions apply for the study and work permit lines of business:

  • If a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda has received notification that their work or study permit application has been approved but they have not yet entered Canada,
    • the client will contact the visa office that processed their application, as indicated in correspondence they will already have received;
    • the visa office will request that the citizen of Antigua and Barbuda return their port of entry (POE) letter of introduction to the visa office along with their passport;
    • the officer will ensure the previously issued eTA is invalidated, if issued under an Antigua and Barbuda passport;
    • the officer will create an associated TRV application and affix the counterfoil to the applicant’s passport;
    • the visa office will send the applicant their passport, along with the letter of introduction.

Note: There is no additional fee required for this TRV issuance. The officer should use the fee exemption code “999” with a note indicating “visa imposition” as the reason.

  • If a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda has applied for a study or work permit, if their application was opened in the Global Case Management System before the visa imposition, if no final decision has yet been rendered and if the application is otherwise approved,
    • the visa office will request that the applicant’s passport be sent to the processing visa office through the nearest visa application centre (VAC);
    • the officer will create an associated TRV application and affix the counterfoil to the applicant’s passport;
    • the visa office will send the applicant their passport, along with a letter of introduction.
  • If a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda in Canada holds a valid study or work permit and they have left Canada to go anywhere other than the United States or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, or if they need to board a flight to return to Canada, they must apply for and obtain a TRV before returning to Canada. They will need to pay the appropriate fees.
  • If a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda holds a valid study or work permit and they will remain in Canada, they may continue to work or study according to the validity of their permit. They must apply for a TRV from within Canada as per regular procedures along with the appropriate processing fee should they wish to travel abroad.

Instructions for border services officers

Pursuant to paragraph R298(2)(e), border services officers are advised that a 48-hour period is authorized from June 27, 2017, at 5:30 a.m. EDT, until June 29, 2017, at 5:30 a.m. EDT, to accommodate citizens of Antigua and Barbuda who seek entry into Canada and who were in transit at the time the amendment to the IRPR came into force. Officers conducting examinations of foreign nationals of Antigua and Barbuda are to provide such foreign nationals with a fee-exempt temporary resident permit (TRP) if all of the following conditions are met:

  • they were in transit to Canada before June 27, 2017, at 5:30 a.m. EDT;
  • they seek to enter Canada before June 29, 2017, at 5:30 a.m. EDT;
  • they are not in possession of any valid and subsisting TRVs;
  • they are not otherwise inadmissible.

Note: No additional fee will be required for TRPs issued under these circumstances. The fee exemption code “M25” is to be used.

As usual, border services officers have discretion to determine the TRP duration and authorization for re-entry.

Service channels

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda can

In addition to online applications, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda in Canada who hold valid study or work permits may also mail their paper applications to the Case Processing Centre in Ottawa.

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