Program delivery update: Termination of the Automatic Partner Notification Policy for Applicants Who Test Positive for HIV in the Sponsored Family or Dependent Refugee Classes
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
July 7, 2023
Beginning July 7, 2023, automatic partner notifications of applicants in the sponsored family class and dependent refugee class who test positive for HIV will be discontinued. In effect, applicants who test positive for HIV in the sponsored family class and dependent refugee class will be subject to the same procedural process as all other applicants who test positive for HIV from other classes.
The following changes have been made to the PDI to reflect the change in procedure for persons who test HIV positive within this class:
- Removal of the following subsections:
- Automatic partner notification of sponsored family class applicants who test positive for HIV
- Identification of an HIV-positive applicant
- Interview with a visa or migration officer
- Consequences after interview
- Consequences 60 days after interview
- Formal notification to the spouse or partner
- Guidelines for witnesses (to be used by visa and immigration officers)
- Updated steps listed under the “Procedures” section reflecting the removal of the subsections noted above
- Updates to the “Key documents” section to include only documents relating to standard HIV-positive case procedures
Updated instructions
- Procedure for HIV-positive cases
- Health related forms, documents and templates
Deleted instructions
- Automatic partner notification policy for human immunodeficiency virus-positive applicants in the family and dependant refugee classes
- HIV contact information in Canada (for sponsor)