Program objectives

To sustain a revenue-generating cost recovery system by applying a charge to most aspects of immigration services in Canada and abroad.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) started collecting cost-recovery fees in 1986 and since then, there have been numerous changes to both policies and procedures.

These cost-recovery instructions are intended to provide clear and consistent, but flexible, guidance and instructions for employees at missions abroad involved in collecting, recording, safeguarding and reconciling revenues under the ICRP. It will also provide links to appropriate references elsewhere. The instructions will define the proper delegation of authority and delineation of responsibilities that are essential to establish effective control mechanisms for, and to ensure the integrity of, the handling of public funds.

At Missions

Readers are reminded that overseas, DFAIT acts as the banker for all other government departments.

Immigration staff are expected to work within these guidelines. If local circumstances require them to be modified, proposed changes, including control procedures, will not be implemented without prior approval from the International Region (IR), International Support (RIS).