Mandatory Electronic Filing for Temporary Resident Applications

Policy effect

Ministerial instructions mandate that all new applications for temporary resident visas (including a transit visa), work permits, and study permits submitted by foreign nationals who are outside Canada must be filed using electronic means, with specific exceptions.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Ministerial instructions mandate that all new applications for temporary resident visas (including a transit visa), work permits, and study permits submitted by foreign nationals who are outside Canada must be filed using electronic means, with specific exceptions.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

All applications for a temporary resident visa (including a transit visa), a work permit or a study permit submitted by foreign nationals who are outside Canada at the time of application must be submitted using electronic means (apply online). … These Instructions take effect on September 1, 2021, and expire March 31, 2022.

Review method

Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite extraction with independent Gemini 3.8 Flash verification

Other Canada changes operative in 2021

• 2021-01-05Parents and Grandparents Program 2020 Income Requirement Relief
• 2021-01-27Temporary public policy for former students in Canada with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits
• 2021-02-01Ministerial Instructions on Mandatory Online Applications
• 2021-02-22Enhanced COVID-19 Border Compliance and Quarantine Mandates
• 2021-04-01Temporary public policy to exempt certain visitors in Canada from immigration requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
• 2021-05-17Expansion of Education Requirements for Hong Kong Open Work Permit Pathway
• 2021-06-17Rules Amending the Federal Courts Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection Rules (SOR/2021-149)
• 2021-06-21Expansion of Travel Exemptions for Approved Permanent Residents
• 2021-06-28Special PR Policy for Over-Cap International Graduate Applicants (TR to PR Pathway)
• 2021-06-28Temporary public policy exempting some foreign nationals in Canada from requiring an immigration medical exam
• 2021-06-29Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA) Submission Period Restored to 60 Days
• 2021-07-09Expansion of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) to Seven New Countries
• 2021-07-16Launch of a Dedicated Refugee Stream for Human Rights Defenders
• 2021-07-20Announcement and Criteria for 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Intake
• 2021-07-30Updated Temporary Public Policy for Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
• 2021-08-12Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Seizure Provisions) — SOR/2021-202
• 2021-08-13Establishment of the Special Afghan Resettlement Programs
• 2021-08-31Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) Eligibility Expansion to Quebec Economic Streams
• 2021-08-31Expiration of Broad COVID-19 Restoration Public Policy
• 2021-09-07Border Reopening and Quarantine Exemption for All Fully Vaccinated International Travelers
• 2021-09-09Re-issuance of Exemption Policy for Excluded Family Members (IRPR 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d))
• 2021-09-19Temporary Public Policy for Resettlement of NATO's Afghan Locally Engaged Staff
• 2021-09-30Resettlement Pathway for Afghan Human Rights Defenders
• 2021-10-06Extension of In-Person Exemption for Inland Refugee Claimants
• 2021-10-18Changes to the pre-removal risk assessment for Afghanistan
• 2021-10-25Afghan Families Resettlement Program Status Update
• 2021-11-05Closure of Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR to PR) Pathway
• 2021-11-30Mandatory ArriveCAN Vaccine Disclosure for Essential Services
• 2021-12-09New Permanent Residence Pathway for Extended Family of Afghan Interpreters
• 2021-12-16Fee Exemptions and Status Extensions for Foreign Nationals Directly Affected by British Columbia Floods