Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Announcements
October 17, 2013: Biometrics Mandatory Coming Into Force
The collection of biometric information has become mandatory for the nationals of:
- Albania
- Algeria
- The Democratic Republic of Congo
- Eritrea
- Libya
- Nigeria
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- South Sudan and,
- Tunisia
This has come into effect since October 23, 2013.
Therefore, applicants making applications for Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs), Work Permits (WPs) or Study Permits (SPs) would need to submit their biometric information as well.
For more information on this, officers would need to refer to the Operational Bulletin (OB) 520-A issued in September. Similarly, officers would need to refer to the Biometrics Procedures Manual, issued in May 2013 and subsequently revised in September 2013.
October 29, 2013: The Reminder to the Field: Single Journey Documents (SJDs)
The IMM 5485 – The Single Journey Document for Resettlement in Canada
The IMM 5485 is a temporary Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) document. Officers issue this to persons who:
- Cannot otherwise obtain passports or other travel documents from their countries of nationality and,
- Are coming to Canada as government-assisted refugees (GARs) and privately sponsored refugees (PSRs)
When these individuals arrive in Canada, the Port of Entry (POE) examining officers would need to port-stamp the document in the space indicated. In addition, the officers would need to cancel the affixed visa.
In many cases, this document is probably the only identification that the new permanent residents have until they receive their permanent resident cards. Therefore, the officers would need to return this document to the clients.
The IMM 5565 – The Single Journey Travel Document
The IMM 5565 is a temporary Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) document. Officers issue this in limited circumstances. They issue this document to people who are unable to obtain a prescribed travel document. This document bears close semblance to the IMM 5485 Single Journey Document for Resettlement.
When these individuals arrive in Canada, the Port of Entry (POE) examining officers would need to port-stamp the document in the space indicated. In addition, the officers would need to draw a diagonal line through the counterfoil by using a black pen.
Moreover, the officer would also need to recover the IMM 5565. On recovering this document, the officers would need to return it to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) at the following address:
CIC – Program Integrity Division, OMC
360 Laurier Avenue West, 6th floor
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 1L1
For more details, officers would need to refer to OB 290 and 05-028 RIL.
November 15, 2013: Always Collect Biometric Information Prior to Making a Decision
The authorities have asked officers to collect biometric information from all biometrics-required applicants. This is especially so prior to the finalisation of an application. Officers would need to do this even if the authorities are likely to refuse the application for various other reasons.
This directive is in accordance with the guidelines specified in Section 6.3 of the Biometrics Procedures Manual. Officers would need to refer to the Biometrics Procedures Manual, issued in May 2013 and subsequently revised in September 2013.
November 22, 2013: Single Name Procedures
Situations could arise where officers determine that they cannot divide the applicant’s name into two parts. In this scenario, the officers would need to define the name, as it appears on the document used to establish it, as the primary identifier. In addition, the officers would need to record this name in the family name field in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC’s) system of record.
It is worth noting that officers could use either the family name of the given name, in this regard. In addition, the officers would also need to leave the given name field in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC’s) system of record blank.
For example, consider a situation where a client’s travel document displays:
- The name “Harry” in the given name field and,
- A blank in the family name field
In this scenario, the given name “Harry” becomes the primary identifier. Therefore, the officers would record this name in the family name field. In addition, they would leave the given name field as blank in in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC’s) system of record.
This is in accordance with the instructions specified in Section 4.1.2 Single Names mentioned in IM1 Naming Procedures. It is also consistent with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines. Following this process would help in facilitating future name searches.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
