File transfers

While the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) define where an application must be submitted, they do not stipulate where an application must be processed.

Applicant requests for a file transfer

Visa offices are not required to transfer applications for permanent or temporary residence to another processing office upon the request of applicants or their designated representatives. Offices should refuse to transfer files if a transfer would affect program integrity. The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate that the transfer of their file would not compromise the integrity of the application assessment process.

The following are examples of assessments that may affect program integrity if a file is transferred to a different processing office:

• ability to effectively evaluate documents
• knowledge of local security and criminality environments
• familiarity with business practices and procedures

Before transferring a file, officers should consult the potential receiving offices to seek assistance in finalizing the case.

Officer-initiated file transfers

At times, offices may independently decide that program integrity issues merit transferring an application to another processing office. When transferring files, offices should consider the resource implications for the receiving office. Offices should notify the receiving office of upcoming transfers, particularly multiple transfers.

Officers may transfer applications electronically to offices within the global network where capacity exists, which allows IRCC to manage its workload and ensure that service standards and processing times are met. Before doing so, the officer should always make sure a transfer does not affect program integrity.

When a case is facilitated through early admission, the officer is to transfer the file to the Case Processing Centre in Edmonton (CPC-E) for finalization once all statutory requirements have been completed abroad. See Temporary resident permits for information on early admission and on issuing temporary resident permits.

Receiving a transferred file

Offices receiving a transferred file must respect the original date on which the application was received as the “lock-in” date. For processing purposes, all processing steps for the files transferred to an office, including the scheduling of interviews, should be the same as for all other applications received in the office on the date corresponding to the received file’s “lock-in” date. This means that an application that is received in Paris in July 2015 and transferred to New Delhi in March 2016 would enter the New Delhi queue as of July 2015.