Due to some banking restrictions, the Receiver General of Canada can not issue checks that will be honored by banking laws of some countries including the Philippines.
The only payment option available given was to request that fees be returned to someone else who is not residing in applicant's country of residence.
A few days ago, the same Canadian Government office gave another option which is through, Foreign Electronic Funds Transfer.
The payment will be issued in the appropriate currency known to be accepted in the country where the electronic funds transfer will be sent. The final amount will be calculated based on the exchange rate on the date of the payment.
If you are one of those affected by the changes (filed before Feb 27, 2008), you will be receiving an email from FSWFeeReturn@cic.gc.ca for the instructions. It is important that you check the email add you used in your application if you do not see it in your inbox check your spam mail folder.
If you have not been sent an email yet, here is what it will contain:
Hello,
This message is in response to your refund request. Most fees will be returned in the form of a cheque from the Receiver General of Canada. However, as a result of banking restrictions on foreign transactions in your country of residence, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will only return fees directly to you through an electronic funds transfer.
In order for these fees to be returned to you as quickly as possible, you must complete the “Return of Processing Fee, Right of Permanent Residence Fee or Right of Landing Fee” form attached as well as the separate “Foreign Electronic Funds Transfer” form accompanying this email and return both forms to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) within 60 days of the date on this letter.
The payment will be issued in the appropriate currency known to be accepted in the country where the electronic funds transfer will be sent. The final amount will be calculated based on the exchange rate on the date of the payment.
The required completed “Return of Processing Fee, Right of Permanent Residence Fee or Right of Landing Fee” AND “Foreign Electronic Funds Transfer” forms must be returned to CIC either by:
1) E-MAIL (CIC preferred method) to: FSWFeeReturn@cic.gc.ca; or
2) MAIL to:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
P.O. Box 9639
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4B3
CANADA
Sincerely,
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Along with this letter are forms you need to fill out and send to the Case processing center handling Canadian Government processing Fees refund for applicants filed prior to February 27, 2008.