The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has pre-arrival services in Canada that will help you pay for your airfare, medical expenses, accommodation, and food.
All travel costs are covered by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under one of its Immigration Loans Program (ILP) and through the Transportation Loan.
How to make the IOM loan payment online?
There are different options to catch up with the IOM loan. The organization usually has no problem approving or allowing you to access their programs. However, to gain access, you must sign a promissory note stipulating that you must make the corresponding payments.
One of the benefits of this loan is that it is interest-free. The payments are necessary to reimburse the money that the U.S. Government provided to the IOM to pay for the transportation of the refugees.
Now, to make the payment online, you must find one of the participating financial institutions to use their online banking and make the payment. For example, USCRI oversees the entire process and allows you to pay on its platform.
Through uscropayments.org, you can have a complete guide to the payment process and ask for advice from one of the specialists to get you up to date with the loan. On the home page, you will see the information about the loan services and below two spaces where you must enter the loan number, phone number, and amount to be paid.
Then you must click on “Next” and follow the steps indicated on the website. It would be best if you remembered that you must start paying the loan from the 12th month you received it.
Other payment methods for the IOM loan
The possibilities to repay the money vary. You can make a personal check, a certified check, pay by credit card, postal or money order, or any participating financial institution.
To know the financial institutions, you should ask for the list when purchasing the aid. On the other hand, payments must be in Canadian funds and, if by check, must be made payable to the “Receiver General of Canada.”
After obtaining the benefit, you will receive a letter with the minimum monthly amount to be paid. The agency will remind you that there is no interest and that your loan may be forgiven in exceptional circumstances.
How are loans repaid?
The time and amount to be repaid almost always depend on the amount of the loan; in this sense, it can be like this:
- Loans up to $1,200 but not to exceed 36 months.
- Loans over $1,200 but not to exceed $2,400 within 48 months.
- Loans over $2,400 but not to exceed $3,600 within 60 months.
- Loans over $3,600 but not to exceed $4,800 within 72 months.
- Loans over $4,800 within 96 months.
If you need more time, it is essential to contact IRCC and ask if the month’s payment can be deferred or paused. Of course, to get a positive response, you must explain your finances and why you cannot make the payment.
Although you will not be expelled from Canada for not paying the loan, you must go to a collection agency, and if you wish to sponsor a family member, the process will be more complex.