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Regulation 13 — Application — in Canada

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations r 13 Canada Compilation: 2026-03-17 Verified: 2026-05-23

Text of provision

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a requirement of the Act or these Regulations to produce a document is met

(a) by producing the original document;

(b) by producing a certified copy of the original document; or

(c) in the case of an application, if there is an application form on the Department’s website, by completing and producing the form printed from the website or by completing and submitting the form on-line, if the website indicates that the form can be submitted on-line.

(2) Unless these Regulations provide otherwise, a passport, a permanent resident visa, a permanent resident card, a temporary resident visa, a temporary resident permit, a work permit or a study permit may be produced only by producing the original document.

Plain English

Regulation 13 provides that a foreign national may apply for a permit or visa while in Canada in specified circumstances — typically when the person is already in lawful status and is seeking an extension or change of status.

In-Canada applications for some categories (e.g., spousal sponsorship, refugee protection) have specific timing and status requirements that must be met at the time of filing.

Practical effect

The most common in-Canada applications are extensions of temporary permits (study permit, work permit, visitor record), spousal/common-law partner in-Canada class sponsorship, and in-Canada refugee claims. The timing rules for in-Canada applications are critical: filing before the current permit expires preserves maintained status; filing after expiry means the person is out-of-status and the application may be refused or the person may be required to leave and apply abroad.

Information only. Nothing on this page is immigration advice or legal advice. Only an authorised representative (RCIC or immigration lawyer) may give immigration advice in Canada.

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