Visas and Immigration
Enquiries Submitted by E-mail, Fax and Post
It is possible to submit an enquiry to our office by e-mail, fax or post. Please note that we are unable to accept telephone enquiries. Before sending an enquiry, you should review the following websites:
- General information related to Canadian Immigration for temporary (visitors, students and workers) and permanent resident applications: Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- Status of case (for permanent residence only): e-CAS
- Processing times for Applications for Permanent Residence
- Information on who may represent you
- Websites of Canadian visa offices around the world
- For individuals who are currently in Canada, the Call Centre may be able to provide the information you require.
Information to provide in your enquiry
All case specific enquiries should include the following information (if they do not, you may not receive a reply):
- full name
- date of birth
- file number (letter B, V, S or W followed by nine digits) or client identification number, if known
- telephone number
- fax number
- postal address
Language of communication
We can only answer enquiries sent in English or French.
Privacy and access to information
Information provided in connection with a visa application is protected under the Canadian Privacy Act. The purpose of the Act is to protect the privacy of individuals in their dealings with the Government of Canada. The Access to Information Act guarantees that an individual can examine any information that the Government of Canada has related to them. For more information, see our policy on this matter.
Service standards
- e-mail enquiry: acknowledgment of receipt sent within 48 hours
- all enquiries (including e-mail): full answer within 28 days
Note:
- We do not answer general enquiries if the information can be found on this website or the main website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- We do not answer enquiries on a case if the standard processing time has not yet been exceeded
- We do not answer repeated enquiries on the same case.
E-mail communications are not protected
E-mail is not a protected means of communication. By sending us an e-mail enquiry, you are authorizing us to answer you by e-mail. You must be aware that our response may contain personal information. We are not liable for misuse or any inadvertent disclosure of such information resulting from the use of e-mail when you have initiated the correspondence with us.
We take reasonable measures to verify your identity when you make a case specific enquiry (see "Information to provide in your enquiry" above). It is your responsibility to protect your file and client identification numbers. We use these numbers to authenticate enquiries, so it is very important that you avoid disclosing them to unauthorized third parties.
See our Privacy Statement
Temporary Resident (Visitor, Worker, Student) Case Specific Enquiries
We regret that we are unable to provide a substantive response in cases where we are within our regular processing time. For applications submitted by mail for temporary resident (visitor) visas, study permits and work permits, this is four (4) weeks. Please also note that it may take up to 28 days for us to provide a full answer in cases where the processing time has been exceeded. In order for us to identify you, you must provide at a minimum your name, date of birth and client identification or file number. If you do not have your client identification or file number, we will only be able to respond to an e-mail account or mailing address that was listed on your application form.
Enquiries conforming to the above requirements may be sent to us:
- by E-mail to seattle-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca
- by Fax to (206) 441-7838
- by Post to 1501 Fourth Avenue, Suite 600, Seattle, WA, 98101
Permanent Resident Case Specific Enquiries
All enquiries related to permanent resident cases in process in our office must be made by following the instructions at https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/?app=ecas&lang=en.
Criminal Rehabilitation/Temporary Resident Permit Case Specific Enquiries
We regret that we are unable to provide a substantive response in cases where we are within our regular processing time which is currently a minimum of 6 months for applications for Criminal Rehabilitation and Temporary Resident Permits. Please also note that it may take up to 28 days for us to provide a full answer to your enquiry in cases where the processing time has been exceeded. In order for us to identify you, you must provide at a minimum your name, date of birth and client identification or file number. If you do not have your client identification or file number, we will only be able to respond to an e-mail account or mailing address that was listed on your application form.
Enquiries conforming to the above requirements may be sent to us:
- by E-mail to seattle-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca
- by Fax to (206) 441-7838
- by Post to 1501 Fourth Avenue, Suite 600, Seattle, WA, 98101
General Enquiries
Prior to making a general enquiry to our office, carefully review the information provided on this website and the general website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada at http://www.cic.gc.ca. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a response to requests for information that is readily available in either of these two places. Our address for general enquiries is seattle-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca.
