Operational Bulletin 558 (modified) – November 14, 2013
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Closure and Transfer of Visa Services of the Canadian Embassy in Prague
Summary
The purpose of this Operational Bulletin is to provide information regarding the closure of the Prague visa office, and the transfer of visa services.
Background
Effective immediately, the Visa Section of the Canadian Embassy in Prague is closed.
With the lifting of the visa requirement, holders of Czech Republic passports will no longer require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to seek entry to Canada.
Instructions
Temporary Resident (TR) Processing
New Applications
New TR applications from visa-required third country nationals in the Czech Republic should be submitted online or at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Prague.
New study permit applications from Czech Republic nationals who are exempt from medical requirements and applications for the International Experience Class (IEC) should be submitted online via eApplications and will be processed in Canada.
The VAC in Prague will continue to accept TRV, study permit and work permit applications from those requiring them. These applications will be processed in Vienna.
Applications in-Process
All study and work permit applications, as well as all TRV applications from third country nationals in the Czech Republic, that are currently in process in Prague will be finalized at that office.
TRV applications submitted by Czech Republic nationals prior to date of the visa lifting (November 14, 2013) and that have not yet been finalised will not be processed. Passports and application fees will be returned to the client. Please refer to OB 556 for further details.
Permanent Resident (PR) and Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) Processing
As Prague did not process PR applications, its closure does not have an impact on PR processing. PR applications should continue to be submitted through normal channels.
New Economic Class applications should continue to first be submitted to the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (CIO-S).
New Family Class applications should continue to first be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (CPC-M).
New PRTD applications should be submitted to the VAC in Prague and will be processed in Vienna.
External Client Enquiries
Enquiries may be directed to the appropriate visa office.
Web Sites
Expiry of Directives
These directives will remain in force until further notice. Further instructions will be communicated as required.