# Can I pay my immigration fees by cheque instead of online?

- Jurisdiction: Canada
- Practice area: Immigration Law
- Published: 2026-10-24
- Last updated: 2026-10-24
- Canonical: https://lawasked.com/ca/immigration/can-i-pay-my-immigration-fees-cheque-instead

## Question

I am currently living in Vancouver, British Columbia, and I am in the middle of applying for a work permit to stay in Canada. My employer has been very supportive, but the process is becoming quite stressful. On the 14th of last month, I received an email stating that I must submit my final application and all supporting documents through their official online portal. I also noticed a note saying that the processing fee of $155 must be settled immediately to avoid delays. I am quite worried because I do not have a credit card with a high enough limit to cover the fee and the additional service charges, and I prefer to use my bank's mobile app to transfer funds. I tried to call the help desk yesterday afternoon to ask if I could simply mail a bank draft or a personal pay cheque to their office instead of using their specific electronic system, but the person on the phone was not helpful and just told me to check the website. I am unsure if they have the legal authority to force me to use only their digital payment method, or if there is a way to provide proof of payment through a different method if my internet connection fails during the submission process.

## Summary

It depends on the specific rules set by the Minister, but they likely have the legal authority to require you to pay online. The law allows the government to mandate that all payments and applications be made through an electronic system.

## Analysis

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Minister has broad powers to decide how people apply for permits and how they pay for them. Specifically, the regulations may "require that payments that are required to be made or evidence of payment that is required to be provided under this Act must be made or provided by means of an electronic system" [cite:ca-irpa-sec186p3]. This means that if the official portal you were instructed to use on the 14th of last month requires electronic payment, the government has the legal authority to enforce that requirement. 

Furthermore, the law allows the Minister to set the rules for how these electronic systems work, including "the circumstances in which those payments may be made or evidence of payments may be provided by other means" [cite:ca-irpa-sec186p3]. While the law does allow for the possibility of using other methods, this is only if the specific regulations for your application type permit it. 

In your situation, because you were told to use an official online portal and settle the $155 fee immediately, you are subject to the specific electronic rules established by the Minister. The law also allows the Minister to use electronic means to "administer this Act" [cite:ca-irpa-sec186p1]. This includes the power to use automated systems to process your work permit application. 

It is currently uncertain whether the specific regulations governing your work permit application allow for a bank draft or cheque as an alternative 'other means' of payment. The statutes provided do not confirm if your specific application type has an exception for manual payments; they only state that the Minister has the power to create such exceptions.

## Statutory citations

- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, s. 186.3 - Regulations [in force] (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-2.5/index.html#s-186.3)
  > The regulations may... require that payments that are required to be made or evidence of payment that is required to be provided under this Act must be made or provided by means of an electronic system
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, s. 186.1 - Powers [in force] (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-2.5/index.html#s-186.1)
  > The Minister may administer this Act using electronic means

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