Privacy Policy

At Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), we are committed to protecting the privacy of individuals whose personal information we collect, use, and disclose in the course of our operations. This Privacy Policy outlines our practices and measures to safeguard the personal information entrusted to us.

Collection of Personal Information

IRCC collects personal information directly from individuals or indirectly from third parties, as required to administer and enforce the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Citizenship Act, and other applicable laws and regulations. The type of personal information collected may include, but is not limited to, names, contact information, biographical data, employment and educational history, and financial information.

Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

IRCC uses personal information for the purposes for which it was collected, such as processing immigration and citizenship applications, conducting security screenings, and facilitating the entry and travel of individuals to and from Canada. Personal information may be disclosed to other government institutions, law enforcement agencies, or third parties as permitted or required by law.

Protection and Retention of Personal Information

IRCC implements appropriate technical, physical, and administrative safeguards to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Personal information is retained in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and retention schedules, and disposed of securely when no longer required.

Access to Personal Information

Individuals have the right to access and request corrections to their personal information held by IRCC, subject to certain exceptions prescribed by law. Requests for access or correction must be made in writing and may be subject to applicable fees.

Privacy Breach Reporting

IRCC has established procedures for reporting and responding to privacy breaches involving personal information under its control. In the event of a privacy breach, affected individuals will be notified and appropriate remedial actions will be taken.

Compliance and Oversight

IRCC is subject to the Privacy Act and other applicable privacy laws and regulations. The department’s privacy practices are periodically reviewed and audited to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

Contact Information

For inquiries or complaints related to IRCC’s privacy practices, individuals can contact the department’s Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Office or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.