Program delivery update - November 22, 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.
Closure and transfer of Visa Services of the Canadian Embassy in Santiago
Summary
Effective immediately, the Visa Section of the Canadian Embassy in Santiago is closed.
With the lifting of the visa requirement, holders of Chilean passports will no longer require a temporary resident visa (TRV) to seek entry to Canada.
Temporary residence processing
New applications
The most convenient method for Chilean nationals to submit applications for a study permit or work permit is to apply online. Alternatively, they can submit a paper application in person, by mail or by courier to the nearest visa application centre (VAC).
Third country nationals in Chile who require a visa to come to Canada can also conveniently apply online for a TRV, study or work permit, or submit paper applications to the nearest VAC in person, by mail or by courier.
Effective immediately, the VAC in Santiago will no longer receive new applications, but will remain open until November 28, 2014 to return passports or identification documents (or both).
Applications in process
All study and work permit applications–as well as all TRV applications from third country nationals in Chile–that are currently in process in Santiago will be finalized at the visa office in Buenos Aires.
TRV applications submitted by Chilean nationals prior to the date of the visa lifting (November 22, 2014, at 12:00 p.m. EST) that have not yet been finalised will not be processed. Passports and application fees will be returned to the client. Please refer to CIC’s Program Delivery Update for further details.
Permanent residence and Permanent Resident Travel Document processing
As the visa office in Santiago does not process applications for permanent residence, its closure does not have an impact on their processing. Such applications should therefore continue to be submitted through normal channels, as follows:
- Economic Class applications should be submitted to the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (CIO-S).
- Family Class applications should be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (CPC-M).
- Travel Document (Permanent Resident Abroad) applications should be submitted in person, by mail or by courier to the nearest VAC.