1. Can I change my status after I arrive in Canada as a visitor?
A temporary resident enters Canada with a particular status and under specific conditions. A temporary resident who wants to change these conditions and status after arrival must get the approval of an immigration official.
In most cases, temporary residents cannot apply for permanent resident status from within Canada.
Exceptions to this rule include:
i. refugees or protected persons;
ii. live-in caregivers; and
iii. spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
To request a change of status or condition of admission, or to apply for permanent residence, use the
application guides and forms available on the CIC Website or from the Call Centre. Mail your completed applications to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville.
2. If I want to leave Canada, how can I maintain my permanent resident status?
Permanent residents are given a Permanent Resident Card, which is valid for five years. It allows them to travel outside Canada and return to Canada. They must ensure that they meet the residency obligation for permanent residents or they may lose their status.
See the "
What are the rights and obligations of permanent residents?" section of this guide.
3. Who can get information about an individual's case?
Under the
Privacy Act, personal information about an individual may not be provided to a third party without that individual's written consent. For example, CIC cannot give specific reasons for a refusal to a member of the person's family, a friend, a consultant or the media, unless that person has authorized, in writing, the disclosure of personal information to the third party. The third party must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Personal information may be given to a federal member of Parliament (MP) or a senator only when the MP or senator is working to help that individual.
When a third party represents the interests of a constituent to a federal member of Parliament, the third party must have the constituent's written authorization to disclose personal details that would otherwise not be given to the MP.
When a person contacts a CIC office--whether it is the Minister's office or a Call Centre--about an immigration case on behalf of a client, CIC officials cannot release any information on the case without the client's written consent.
For more precise information, please see section 8(2) of the
Privacy Act.
