Return of passports that were seized during our refugee claim process (Vancouver office)

[VanCity2026]

Hello everyone,
I have already received my PR, but I need to return the original documents from my country of origin (no, not to return, restore protection, or travel to my country of birth). Unfortunately, other documents are not suitable for online identity verification for some online services.

Has anyone managed to return it? Please share the methods, links, and details of communication/requests with the IRCC. It is impossible to schedule an appointment there on the website or through the web form. Perhaps I am doing something wrong.

I would be very grateful for any help or advice.

 

[4emad4]

Yeah I’m wondering the same I’m doing my citizenship oath in a few days and I want it back. I sent webform a few weeks ago and I got a generic reply “we are working on your application..” I might call them on Monday and see what they say.

 

[VanCity2026]

UPDATE:

Unfortunately, no one has shared this information, but it is what it is.
I want to be that person, this information will help someone else.

I mailed the completed form to IRCC for the return of the original documents and waited a week or a week and a half, no one contacted me.
I found the contact information for a member of parliament in my district online and wrote a very sincere email asking for help. I didn't even expect anyone to respond, but within a few days they responded, asking for additional information about the documents, the letter, and identification documents. A very kind and helpful employee forwarded all this to IRCC, and a few days later I received a call from IRCC inviting me to their office. I showed up on the appointed day and time. Before returning the documents, they asked me why I needed them. I replied to confirm some documents online. I also asked if I needed to return them when I was finished with my business, but they said that wasn't necessary.

I admire the work of our Members of Parliament, their involvement and concern in the lives of ordinary people, and also that the IRCC were so polite and patient with my concerns.

 

[4emad4]

UPDATE:

Unfortunately, no one has shared this information, but it is what it is.
I want to be that person, this information will help someone else.

I mailed the completed form to IRCC for the return of the original documents and waited a week or a week and a half, no one contacted me.
I found the contact information for a member of parliament in my district online and wrote a very sincere email asking for help. I didn't even expect anyone to respond, but within a few days they responded, asking for additional information about the documents, the letter, and identification documents. A very kind and helpful employee forwarded all this to IRCC, and a few days later I received a call from IRCC inviting me to their office. I showed up on the appointed day and time. Before returning the documents, they asked me why I needed them. I replied to confirm some documents online. I also asked if I needed to return them when I was finished with my business, but they said that wasn't necessary.

I admire the work of our Members of Parliament, their involvement and concern in the lives of ordinary people, and also that the IRCC were so polite and patient with my concerns.

I'm a Canadian citizen now, and I've already submitted 3 web forms and called IRCC last month. The agent told me she contacted the office holding my passports and that they would contact me, but I still haven't heard anything.


Could you please share more information about the form you filled ? What was the form called, and where did you send it? I'm trying to figure out if I should do the same.

 

[adamkw]

Does anyone know if the siezed passport is valid for tavel to a country other than the home country?

An aquantaince wants to travel to Kuwait to see her parents. Kuwait is not her home country. Since Kuwait doesn't recognize RTD to issue visa, she wants to know if she could request the siezed passport, then apply for Kuwait visa on that passport, and make this journey to Kuwait.

I advised her not to as my understanding is - use of the seized passport for any travel is reavailment of protected person status. However she is adamant that some people in her community had used this approach to visit Gulf countries. I'm posting here to know if this is allowed, and any repurcussions or know of any published cases on canlii.org. I expect the answer to be no but please share if there's any insights. Thanks.

 

[appwarez]

Hello everyone,
I have already received my PR, but I need to return the original documents from my country of origin (no, not to return, restore protection, or travel to my country of birth). Unfortunately, other documents are not suitable for online identity verification for some online services.

Has anyone managed to return it? Please share the methods, links, and details of communication/requests with the IRCC. It is impossible to schedule an appointment there on the website or through the web form. Perhaps I am doing something wrong.

I would be very grateful for any help or advice.

I would suggest contacting IRCC directly and explaining that you are now a permanent resident and need the original documents for identity verification purposes. You can submit an enquiry through the IRCC Web form and clearly state that you are not requesting the documents for travel to your country of origin.

 

[appwarez]

I

Does anyone know if the siezed passport is valid for tavel to a country other than the home country?

An aquantaince wants to travel to Kuwait to see her parents. Kuwait is not her home country. Since Kuwait doesn't recognize RTD to issue visa, she wants to know if she could request the siezed passport, then apply for Kuwait visa on that passport, and make this journey to Kuwait.

I advised her not to as my understanding is - use of the seized passport for any travel is reavailment of protected person status. However she is adamant that some people in her community had used this approach to visit Gulf countries. I'm posting here to know if this is allowed, and any repurcussions or know of any published cases on canlii.org. I expect the answer to be no but please share if there's any insights. Thanks.

I would not advise to request the seized passport, obtain a Kuwait visa on it, and travel without first getting written advice from an immigration lawyer. Even if people in the community have done it successfully, that doesn't establish that it is legally risk-free.

 

[VanCity2026]

I'm a Canadian citizen now, and I've already submitted 3 web forms and called IRCC last month. The agent told me she contacted the office holding my passports and that they would contact me, but I still haven't heard anything.


Could you please share more information about the form you filled ? What was the form called, and where did you send it? I'm trying to figure out if I should do the same.

I filled out the "NOTICE OF SEIZURE" form they gave me when they seized my documents. I included a return address so they could mail them to me if they were successful. But I still don't think that form worked, I think the appeal from the member of parliament to the IRCC was the one that worked.

 

[VanCity2026]

Does anyone know if the siezed passport is valid for tavel to a country other than the home country?

An aquantaince wants to travel to Kuwait to see her parents. Kuwait is not her home country. Since Kuwait doesn't recognize RTD to issue visa, she wants to know if she could request the siezed passport, then apply for Kuwait visa on that passport, and make this journey to Kuwait.

I advised her not to as my understanding is - use of the seized passport for any travel is reavailment of protected person status. However she is adamant that some people in her community had used this approach to visit Gulf countries. I'm posting here to know if this is allowed, and any repurcussions or know of any published cases on canlii.org. I expect the answer to be no but please share if there's any insights. Thanks.

I'd really like to help you, but unfortunately, neither I nor anyone I know has had this experience. I don't plan to use my passport for travel, even to third countries. I'd probably advise your friend not to use hers, but that's up to you.

 

[God's own 269]

Udin

Does anyone know if the siezed passport is valid for tavel to a country other than the home country?

An aquantaince wants to travel to Kuwait to see her parents. Kuwait is not her home country. Since Kuwait doesn't recognize RTD to issue visa, she wants to know if she could request the siezed passport, then apply for Kuwait visa on that passport, and make this journey to Kuwait.

I advised her not to as my understanding is - use of the seized passport for any travel is reavailment of protected person status. However she is adamant that some people in her community had used this approach to visit Gulf countries. I'm posting here to know if this is allowed, and any repurcussions or know of any published cases on canlii.org. I expect the answer to be no but please share if there's any insights. Thanks.

Using your country's passport is seen as reavailment and its seen as accepting the protection of your country even if you are not visiting. A passport is more powerful than most of us think. Once you enter into any coutry using your home passport, you are seen as under the protection of your home country and should anything happen in that country, they will either send you to your country or to your embassy. You are in no way under the protection of Canada. Canada may find out and keep you quiet until its time to apply for citizenship.

 

[Copingwithlife]

Does anyone know if the siezed passport is valid for tavel to a country other than the home country?

An aquantaince wants to travel to Kuwait to see her parents. Kuwait is not her home country. Since Kuwait doesn't recognize RTD to issue visa, she wants to know if she could request the siezed passport, then apply for Kuwait visa on that passport, and make this journey to Kuwait.

I advised her not to as my understanding is - use of the seized passport for any travel is reavailment of protected person status. However she is adamant that some people in her community had used this approach to visit Gulf countries. I'm posting here to know if this is allowed, and any repurcussions or know of any published cases on canlii.org. I expect the answer to be no but please share if there's any insights. Thanks.

Your country wasn’t good enough to live in to the extent you claimed asylum against it , but it’s a good enough country to use the passport

You seriously can’t make this up

I seriously hope they do it and get nailed for it by the CBSA

 

[adamkw]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. As I mentioned before, I had already advised her against using it. I researched and found this legal precedent and shared it with them - https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/fct/do...8125&highlightEdited=true#:~:text=[63,arrival

You're right - they'll feel regret when they apply for citizenship and have to disclose their travel history.

 

[appwarez]

Does anyone know if the siezed passport is valid for tavel to a country other than the home country?

An aquantaince wants to travel to Kuwait to see her parents. Kuwait is not her home country. Since Kuwait doesn't recognize RTD to issue visa, she wants to know if she could request the siezed passport, then apply for Kuwait visa on that passport, and make this journey to Kuwait.

I advised her not to as my understanding is - use of the seized passport for any travel is reavailment of protected person status. However she is adamant that some people in her community had used this approach to visit Gulf countries. I'm posting here to know if this is allowed, and any repurcussions or know of any published cases on canlii.org. I expect the answer to be no but please share if there's any insights. Thanks.

Under immigration law, voluntarily seeking or using a national passport can trigger a cessation (loss) proceeding of refugee status, because it signals to authorities that the person no longer fears their home country or is willing to rely on its diplomatic documents. "Our strong advice is to avoid using a seized national passport for travel, as doing so can trigger a re-availment of protected person status and severely jeopardize your legal standing."