Appendix J – Refunds
Clients typically pay various processing fees towards the processing of their application rather than for the outcome of their application. Therefore, these processing fees will be non-refundable once the processing of the application begins – regardless of its outcome. The responsible Case Processing Centre (CPC) or visa office would need to issue a cheque to the payer (who will usually be the applicant or the sponsor). In addition, they would need to send a letter of explanation along with the refund cheque.
The Types of Refunds
When Can Officers Issue a Refund?
Typically, officers would refund revenues when:
- They have collected these in error
- They have collected these in excess of the requirements
- An applicant requests the withdrawal of the application before the officers begin processing it
- An applicant who has paid a privilege fee such as the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) does not exercise the right or does not receive the right from the authorities
- An applicant paid a fee for a service fee before the authorities subsequently determine that the applicant qualifies for a fee exemption or,
- An applicant submits an application for which the authorities cannot grant the service because of the applicant’s status
The Scenarios Specific to Applications from Designated Foreign Nationals
It is worth mentioning that the authorities would not refund any fees for suspended cases. However, the authorities would need to refund the fees received for new permanent residence or temporary resident permit applications submitted by a Designated Foreign National on or after the date of designation if the five-year bar applies. In this scenario, the officers would also need to return the application to the applicant.
The Employer Compliance Fee Refunds
The officers would need to refund the employer compliance fee to the person who paid it if:
- The authorities refuse the work permit or,
- The employer withdraws the offer of employment and requests a refund prior to the issuance of the work permit
Canada Immigration fees Refunds for Open Work Permit Holder Fees
The officers would need to refund the open work permit holder fee to the person who paid it if:
- The authorities refuse the work permit or,
- The foreign national withdraws the application and requests a refund prior to the issuance of the work permit
Related links:
Refunds for Canada Immigration Processing Fee
Canada Refund Transactions at Missions
Canada Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) Refund
Source: CIC
