Public Policy concerning the payment of application fees for an initial temporary resident permit and an initial work permit for victims of family violence

Background and Public Policy Considerations

Financial vulnerability may play a role in cases of family violence. Consequently, these fees exemptions recognize the possibility that foreign national victims of family violence may lack sufficient resources to pay the initial temporary resident permit or work permit fees.

I hereby establish that, pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), there are public policy considerations that justify the granting of an exemption from the listed provisions of the Act to foreign nationals in situations of family violence who meet the eligibility criteria and conditions below.

Conditions (Eligibility Requirements)

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the criteria and obligations listed below when a foreign national complies with the following conditions (eligibility requirements).

The foreign national eligible, in accordance with Ministerial Instructions given under subsection 24(3) of the Act, for the issuance of an initial temporary residence permit due to family violence, may be exempted from the requirement to pay the temporary resident permit processing fee, if not otherwise exempted from such fees under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations).

The foreign national to whom a temporary resident permit due to family violence has been issued for a duration of at least 6 months and who has applied for a work permit may be exempted from the requirement to pay the work permit processing fee under this public policy, if not otherwise exempted under the Regulations.

If the foreign national applies for a subsequent temporary resident permit or work permit, fee payments will be required.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted unless already exempted:

Subsection 298(1) – requirement of a fee for processing an application for a temporary resident permit

Subsection 299(1) – requirement of a fee for processing an application for a work permit

Paragraph 10(1)(d) – requirement to provide evidence of payment of the applicable fee

Start and End dates

This public policy takes effect on July 26, 2019. It may be cancelled at any time.