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This article was updated more than 6 months ago. Some information may be outdated.

Applicants to a broad range of Canadian permanent residence programs now need to online, as Canada’s immigration department transitions from paper-based formats to digitization.

The move to online applications affects applicants to non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs, the Quebec Skilled Worker Program and Quebec Experience Program, and those sponsoring a spouse or partner, among others.

Which programs are moving online, and when?

The following programs are online as of September 23, 2022:

The following programs are online as of October 7, 2022:

The following programs are online as of October 14, 2022:

The following programs are online as of October 21, 2022:

The following program are online as of October 28, 2022:

Paper-based applications that are received after the transition dates outlined above will be returned to applicants. Applicants who are not able to apply online, for example due to a disability, will be able to contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to request an alternative format.

The expansion of online applications, announced by Canada’s Minister of Immigration on September 1, continues a trend toward digitization in Canadian immigration processing. The Permanent Residence Portal gives applicants more flexibility to apply from their devices and allows them to receive immediate confirmation that they have successfully submitted their application, instead of waiting months for such acknowledgment. The portal has been expanded and is currently open to most permanent residence program applicants.

The shift to online applications over the past few years began in earnest with the launch of the fully-online Express Entry system back in 2015.

As of October, 2022, IRCC has transitioned to 100% digital applications for most permanent residence programs.

Deanne Acres-Lans, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant with Canada Abroad, goes deeper into the transition to online applications in the video below. If the transition to online applications may affect your Canadian immigration goals, you may wish to book a consultation with an expert before proceeding.

For immigration updates, immigration roadmaps, career document templates, and a copy of our FREE Getting Started Guide magazine — create your free Moving2Canada account and complete your profile!

About the author

Hugo O'Doherty profile picture

Hugo O'Doherty

He/Him
Canadian Immigration & Integration Specialist
Hugo O’Doherty has over a decade of experience and research in Canadian immigration, establishing him as a recognized authority on immigrant integration and adaptation. His personal and professional experiences with immigration have made him an expert on the practical aspects of successfully moving to and settling in Canada.
Read more about Hugo O'Doherty
Citation "Online applications coming for a range of Canadian immigration programs." Moving2Canada. . Copy for Citation

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