Transfer of Processing of Applications for Canadian Permanent Residence Under the Spouse or Common Law Partner in Canada Class to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga
Operational Bulletin 565 – February 13, 2014
Summary
Since January 17, 2014, the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga (CPC-M) has taken on additional responsibilities. Henceforth, it would also process applications for permanent residence submitted under the Spouse or Common Law Partner in Canada (SCLPC) class.
Background
The SCLPC class allows individuals to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners for permanent residence. Individuals sponsoring their spouses or common-law partners must be:
- Canadian citizens or,
- Permanent residents
Additionally, the SCLPC permits this sponsorship as long as the spouse or common-law partner meets certain criteria. These include:
- Co-habiting with the sponsor in Canada
- Having a legal temporary resident status
- Meeting all the admissibility requirements stipulated
Prior to January 17, 2014, sponsors and their spouses or common-law partners completed the entire SCLPC application package. Then, they submitted this to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC-V). This package comprised the:
- Application to Sponsor (IMM 1344)
- Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)
- Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
- Various other forms and supporting documents (specified in the application guide) and,
- Appropriate fees
CPC-V would receive the application package. Thereafter, it would assess and process the application within Canada.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) decided to transfer the responsibility for processing SCLPC applications from CPC-V to CPC-M. The reasons for this transfer included:
- Utilising the inherent expertise of CPC-M in family class processing
- Improving processing efficiency and,
- Improving the levels of service in processing
These changes would ensure that CIC continues meeting its operational objectives. Implementing these changes would also aid in achieving the Department’s ongoing agenda of modernisation.
Operating Procedures
- CPC-V would internally transfer any SCLPC applications that it has not commenced processing to CPC-M
- On receiving these cases, CPC-M would send a letter to the sponsor
- The letter would inform the sponsor that:
- The CPC-V has transferred the sponsor’s application to CPC-M and,
- Henceforth, CPC-M would assess and process the sponsor’s application
- CPC-M would continue to apply referral criteria for non-straightforward cases
- Non-straightforward cases would typically include applications for permanent residence under the SCLPC class
- CPC-M would forward such cases to a local CIC office if the case warrants:
- An interview or,
- A closer investigation of circumstances like the evaluation of:
- Serious inadmissibility concerns
- Possible misrepresentation or,
- Suspected relationships of convenience
Effective January 17, 2014, sponsors and their spouses or common-law partners need to submit their SCLPC application packages directly to CPC-M. Their mailing address is:
In-Canada Sponsorship,
CPC-Mississauga,
PO Box 5040, Station B,
Mississauga, ON
L5A 3A4
Note:
- CPC-V would automatically transfer any SCLPC applications it receives after January 17, 2014 to CPC-M internally
- CIC would continue processing all components of SCLPC applications in the prescribed manner
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
