Backgrounder - Frequently Asked Questions: Priority Processing in the Philippines

N.B.: Contact information that is inaccurate or no longer in use has been removed from this page.

Q1: Who can apply for priority processing?

Effective immediately, priority processing will be available to those who identify themselves as being directly and significantly affected by Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines in the following categories:

• New and existing sponsorship applications at the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga from Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have close family members directly affected by this disaster in the Philippines (specifically, spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents and orphaned family members within the meaning of the Family Class);
• New and existing applications at the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville from protected persons including close family members directly affected by this disaster in the Philippines in their application (specifically, spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, dependent children);
• New and existing applications for permanent residence in Canada in the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class and the Permit Holder Class from persons who are including close family members* directly affected by this disaster in their application
• Family members* of persons in the Live-in Caregivers Class (LC2), who are living in the affected area, where the primary applicant has submitted an application for permanent residence to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville;
• Family Class and LC2 applications from persons directly affected already in process at Manila; and
• Temporary resident applications from persons directly affected in the Philippines.

* Family members as defined in part 1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Q2: How can I be assured that my application will be processed as a priority?

It remains the applicant or sponsor’s responsibility to demonstrate that they are significantly and adversely affected by the situation. New sponsorship applications should have “Philippines” written prominently on the mailing envelope. For what to do about applications already in the system, please see below.

Regardless, all permanent resident and temporary resident application requirements must be met. Only complete applications will be processed on a priority basis.

Q3: How can I demonstrate on my application that I’m significantly affected by the Typhoon?

The evidence varies on a case by case basis and depends on individual circumstances.

It remains the applicant or sponsor’s responsibility to demonstrate that they are significantly and adversely affected by the situation.

Permanent Residence Applications

Q4: How can I apply to sponsor a close family member?

New sponsorship applications should have “Philippines” prominently written on the mailing envelope to receive priority handling. It is the sponsor’s or the live-in caregiver applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate that their family member is significantly and adversely affected by the situation.

Family Sponsorship applications should be sent to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga. Applications from Dependents of members of the Live-in Caregivers In Canada class should be sent to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville.

For further information, please consult the website.

Q5. How can I verify the status of the application of a family member in the Philippines?

There are two ways to check the status of an application:

• use the e-Client Application Status service on our website;
• contact the visa office in the region by writing or by e-mail.

Please note that at this time, the office in Manila can only deal with correspondence relating to priority applications. We hope to return to regular service when the situation stabilizes.

Applications for Temporary Residence

Q6. Who can apply to come to Canada temporarily on an urgent basis?

The visa office will give priority consideration to temporary resident applications from nationals of the Philippines who can demonstrate that they are significantly affected. It remains the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that they are adversely affected.

Applicants must meet the criteria for Temporary Resident applications in all other respects.

Q7. Can another person apply on my behalf if I am in the Philippines and cannot get to the visa office?

Yes. The application must be complete and include an application form signed by you. Applications may be submitted by mail to a Visa Application Centre or the Canadian Embassy in Manila.

Temporary resident visas for residents in the Philippines are usually processed at the Canadian visa office in Manila. To obtain a temporary residence application, please visit our website.

Existing applications

Q8. What about people who have already submitted sponsorship applications from the Philippines? How can they be assured their applications will be given priority?

Sponsors and in-Canada permanent residence applicants whose applications include persons residing in the Philippines who have been directly and significantly affected by the situation should notify CIC. Sponsors must also inform their relatives in the Philippines to contact the visa office about their application.

They must provide information regarding their application and their relatives in the affected area (including the Handling of Public Money receipt number). This information will be forwarded to the appropriate Case Processing Centre or local office, which will retrieve the application and take appropriate action.

Any supporting documents should be sent to the processing office and NOT to the Call Center.

Q9. What about people who have already submitted applications to visit, study or work temporarily in Canada? Will those applications be prioritized?

The visa office in Manila will prioritize temporary resident applications from nationals of the Philippines who can demonstrate that they are adversely affected. It remains the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that they are significantly affected.

Q10. I have temporary resident status (e.g. a study permit, work permit or temporary resident visa) which is due to expire shortly. What should I do?

Temporary residents already in Canada may apply to extend their temporary status according to normal procedures. Priority processing will not be given to these applications since temporary residents retain their status until a decision is made on their application.

Should temporary residents identify a hardship due to the situation in the Philippines, the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville will consider this as an additional factor within existing guidelines.

Screening

Q11. Will background check requirements be waived for people applying from the Philippines?

No. All applicants must meet standard admissibility requirements. We are working closely with our partners to facilitate this process.

Q12. Will medical requirements be waived for people applying from the Philippines?

Where a medical condition does not represent a risk to public health, the humanitarian situation in the Philippines will be taken into consideration. CIC works closely with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, the provinces and territories and other partners on medical matters.