The government of Canada updated the list of programs exempted from the in-Canada mandatory electronic application (e-application) requirement for temporary residents. It was updated on December 31, 2021.
As of now, live-in caregiver applications for permanent residence (A71), start-up visa work permit applications (A75), and Guatemalan workers’ applications for non-Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) can be submitted online. These work permits applications are no longer part of the list of exemptions.
The government added 2 groups of applicants to the list of exemptions. These are applicants with travel documents from a visa-exempt country and those who hold passports for stateless persons and other refugee travel documents for non-citizens.
To extend temporary resident status or to obtain authorization to work or study in Canada, foreign nationals must use electronic means only, unless otherwise specified. Those who are unable to meet the requirements of making an electronic application because of a disability may use any other method provided or specified by the Minister for that purpose, such as the paper application form.
IRCC wants us, authorized paid representatives with access to the Authorized Paid Representatives, to submit applications electronically on behalf of our clients. We submit all applications using the Authorized Paid Representatives Portal, since we select the documents we wish to upload rather than having a personalized document list based on the logic of the question flow.