National Centre for Permissions (formerly Centre of Administration)

We receive and process applications for domestic and import-related permissions, including:

licences
permits
ministerial exemptions
permissions to move
test market authorizations

Get started

Most permissions are available online through My CFIA.

Answer some questions about your commodities and activities to find out if your business needs permits, licences, certificates and approvals. Sign up for My CFIA to then apply, track and manage your application online.

What to do next

Find an application form for services currently available online
Review CFIA fees
Choose a method of payment (on-account, credit card or other) in My CFIA
- Businesses that manage high volumes of applications can select monthly invoicing as their online payment option by completing an Application for Credit (CFIA/ACIA 0015)
Subscribe to the CFIA's email notifications to stay connected

Processing times

Your processing time starts once your complete application is received and ends when we've issued a decision.

Your processing time may vary based on:

the type of application (level of risk or complexity)
how long you take to respond to any requests or concerns
the volume of applications
technical reviews or inspections
changes in policy and how we operate
factors beyond our control (for example, natural disasters, conflicts in certain regions, animal diseases outbreaks or plant health pest restrictions)

Service standards

If you applied through My CFIA and it's been longer than the normal processing time, check your application status in My CFIA. If you don't see an update, contact us.

Import permissions - Simple applications: 10 business days
Import permissions - Complex applications^Footnote 1 (requires technical review): May exceed 10 business days
Ministerial exemptions for fresh fruits and vegetables: 2 business days
Ministerial exemptions and permissions to move for processed products: 5 business days
Test market authorizations: 6 to 12 weeks
Safe Food for Canadians licence applications^Footnote 2, ^Footnote 3: 70 business days

Find an application form

Search by:

Food (ministerial exemptions, permissions to move and test market authorizations)
- Note: apply for a Safe Food for Canadians licence by using My CFIA
Animal (animal pathogens, animal products and by-products (including pet food), live animals (aquatic and terrestrial, including amphibians and reptiles), hatching eggs, and animal germplasm)
Plant (plants, plant products, unprocessed/raw grains, oilseeds or plant-based meals, wood products, and wood packaging program registration)

Contact us

We offer bilingual support services Monday to Friday between 8 am and 7 pm (ET). Email and voicemail messages will be returned within 3 business days.

Telephone:

1-800-442-2342
613-773-2342

Email: permission@inspection.gc.ca

Our office is closed on statutory holidays.

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Complex applications include, but are not limited to, all requests for permits to import animal pathogens, animal products and by-products containing animal pathogens. Processing times for requests to import animal pathogens are currently prolonged, with the average time for processing estimated at 17 weeks. Complex requests or requests with missing information may take longer. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible, and all applications will be processed in order of arrival. We are unable to provide updates on the status of active applications.

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Footnote 2

Pre-issuance verification by National Centre for Permissions Case Management Officers may result in requests for additional information or trigger an application to be referred to an Area Inspector for a pre-issuance inspection. When any of these scenarios occur, additional processing time may be required.

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Footnote 3

Please submit renewal requests as soon as possible to allow sufficient processing time.

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