Procedures for finalizing approved applications
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Processing offices must undertake the following steps to finalize an e-application.
Right of Permanent Residence Fee
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) must be paid before an application can be finalized.
For more information on the RPRF, please refer to the program delivery instructions on Fee payment .
Passport request letter
Once an application has been approved and a final decision has been entered, the processing office must send the ‘Passport Request’ letter to the applicant through their MyCIC account.
Request for photos
Applicants and their accompanying dependents are required to submit electronic photos as part of their complete e-application. Applicants are asked to ensure that these photos conform with Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC’s) Permanent Resident Card Photo Specifications (PDF, 614.24KB).
At this time, the electronic photos uploaded by applicants cannot be used for the permanent residence card; therefore, CIC will not reject an application as incomplete if the photos submitted do not comply with CIC’s prescribed photo specifications.
The ‘Passport Request’ letter, therefore, includes a request for hard copy photos. Applicants are instructed to mail these photos to CIC.
Request for passport
Applicants from visa-exempt countries
The ‘Passport Request’ letter instructs the applicant on how to send a photocopy of the bio data page of their passport and, if applicable, the bio data page of the passports of their accompanying spouse and dependent children.
Applicants from visa-required countries
The ‘Passport Request’ letter instructs the applicant on how to send their valid passport and, if applicable, the valid passports of their accompanying spouse and dependent children.
Permanent resident visas cannot be affixed to diplomatic, official or military passports.