On August 10, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it will be launching a new Permanent Residence Online Application Portal (PR Online Application Portal).
Authorized immigration representatives will be able to submit non-Express Entry permanent residence applications, on behalf of their clients, using the PR Online Application Portal. The PR Online Application Portal will be available by September 2021.
The new portal is a step in the right direction for Canada’s immigration system. Representatives will now have the ability to manage non-Express Entry applications more effectively by using a single account to oversee multiple applications online, without relying on paper-based forms.
For clients, the PR Online Application Portal provides a transparent platform through which they can rely on authorized representatives to complete and submit their permanent residence application.
What does this mean for immigration representatives?
Once the PR Online Application Portal is available, representatives will first need to create a PR Online Application Portal account. Representatives will be prompted to provide information such as membership ID number, business address and name, and a copy of an identity document.
After creating a PR Online Application Portal, the next step will involve providing their client’s information, including the client’s e-mail address and the program under which the client is applying. The representative will also need to fill out the appropriate forms and upload any supporting documentation which includes a receipt for the payment of application fees.
It is important to note that some forms that require a third-party signature, such as the family class sponsorship forms, require the principal applicant and the sponsor to print the forms and sign them by hand, before uploading the forms online. The same procedure is necessary for the IMM 5476- Use of a Representative form.
Once the client has reviewed and signed the declaration and consent form, the representative will be able to submit the permanent residence application on their behalf.
What does this mean for clients?
Once an application has been submitted by the representative, clients will need to access the client side of the portal using their own credentials in order to review and sign the declaration and consent form.
Aside from signing the declaration and consent page and the IMM 5669 form, clients will not have the ability to make any changes to their applications. As such, clients should only review and sign the declaration once the application is fully completed.
If you have any questions about the new PR Online Application Portal or your own permanent residence pathway in Canada, contact our office today to speak to one of our immigration lawyers.
