Program delivery update - November 21, 2014
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Voluntary renunciation of permanent residence
Summary
Prior to November 21, 2014, there was no legislative mechanism under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to voluntarily renounce permanent resident status. In order for individuals to have lost permanent resident status under the previous legislative framework, they had to be found to not meet the residency obligation, be otherwise inadmissible or lose their protected person's status in accordance with paragraphs A46(c.1) or (d). If they met the residency obligation and were not otherwise inadmissible, an administrative procedure was followed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that allowed individuals to relinquish their permanent resident status and be treated as foreign nationals. That process did not have a legislative basis. In addition, under the former Immigration Act, relinquishment when the residency obligation was met did not have the force of law.
New instructions
- Renouncing permanent residence