OTTAWA, February 3, 2005 — Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today officially announced the launch of a service that has been effectively used by over 20,000 clients since May 2004. The service allows clients to use the Internet to pay their fees for applications for citizenship or immigration services made through a case processing centre in Canada. “This is improving service to our clients, who find that, in addition to the traditional method of paying fees, there is now a safe, quick and convenient alternative,” said Minister Volpe. “Now that we have thoroughly tested this application through a pilot project, we are assured that clients will find it simple and user-friendly.” Rather than conducting transactions during banking hours, clients who choose this form of fee payment can access the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using their credit card as a means of payment. This is the fourth on-line service developed for the Department’s clients in support of the Government of Canada’s Government On-Line initiative: since December 2000, CIC clients have been using the change-of-address feature to advise the Department when they move; since April 2002, they have been able to view the status of their citizenship or immigration applications on-line; and application kits have also been available on-line for some time. More clients will be able to use the service when it is expanded to include clients in foreign countries. Eventually, it will also be expanded to include other services. You may access the on-line payment of fees through the Internet service at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/index.html. For more information on the fees that may be paid through the Internet, please see the attached backgrounder. -30- For further information (media only): Stephen Herbert Director of Communications Office of the Minister (613) 954-1064 Maria Iadinardi Media Relations Communications Branch (613) 952-0740 BACKGROUNDER Payment of fees through the Internet Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has developed a service which allows clients to pay fees for services on-line through the Internet. Available since May 25, 2004, it is the fourth on-line service offered by the Department in support of the Government of Canada’s Government On-Line (GOL) initiative. The federal government is committed to making Canada the most connected nation in the world by the end of this year. It will improve the quality of interactions between Canadians and their government by allowing Canadian residents and overseas clients access to information and services at the time and place most convenient to them. CIC’s case processing centres in Canada receive about 750,000 applications a year for citizenship and immigration services. The fees for these services generate approximately $150 million a year. In the past, clients were required to go to an established Canadian financial institution, pay the fees in person, and submit their immigration or citizenship application to a case processing centre (CPC). During the trial period, more than 20,000 clients have taken advantage of the option to pay for the service on-line using a credit card, at any time of day, any day of the week. The service is available to clients who process their applications through a CPC in Canada, and for the following applications and services. Citizenship Adult grant and right of citizenship for people 18 years old and older Grant of citizenship for people under 18 years of age Retention of citizenship Renunciation of citizenship Resumption of citizenship Certificate of citizenship Search of records of citizenship Immigration Right of permanent residence Sponsorship application Permanent resident visa—family class—principal applicant Permanent resident visa—family class—principal applicant under 22 years of age who is not a spouse or a common-law partner Permanent resident visa—family class—family member under 22 years of age who is not a spouse or a common-law partner Permanent resident visa—family class—family member 22 years old or older or who is a spouse or a common-law partner Permanent residence—spouse or common–law partner in Canada class—principal applicant Permanent residence—live-in caregiver, protected person or Section 25 application—principal applicant Permanent residence—family member 22 years old or older or who is a spouse or a common-law partner Permanent residence—family member under 22 years of age who is not a spouse or a common-law partner Permanent residence—member of the permit holders class Temporary resident permit Extension of authorization to remain in Canada Restoration of temporary resident status Study permit Work permit Permanent resident card—new or replacement The Department worked diligently to create a secure infrastructure for on-line transactions to limit access to sensitive information. The CIC Web site offers the same level of security as Canadian banks. This ensures that the financial information provided by clients will be kept secure, making this a safe alternative method of paying fees. Although the system is currently available only to applicants who apply through a CPC in Canada, once the Department has established a common system, the payment of fees through the Internet will be expanded to include other in-Canada services and services to clients in foreign countries. For more information on CIC’s on-line services, visit the Department’s Web site at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/index.html.
