Coronavirus: Canada Immigration Agents Can Now Be Reached By Phone Again

Colin R. Singer
April 28, 2020

Federal government immigration agents can once again be reached by phone after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reopened call operations.

Previously, the call centre had only been reachable by email after call operations were suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The ongoing impact of COVID-19 means the service will operate at reduce capacity, with calls taken Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm EST.

IRCC warned technical problems could occur ‘given new systems that have been put in place to support agents working remotely’.

“Thank you for your patience as we continue to work to address operational challenges resulting from this global pandemic,” a statement said.

Enquiries can be submitted online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Instead of closing itself off entirely during the pandemic currently engulfing the world, Canada has continued to look for a position where immigrants can help the country make a swift economic recovery in post-coronavirus times.

Canada’s coronavirus lockdown in mid-March saw it limit travel to all but citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members.

It quickly introduced exemptions as of March 26, for permanent residents approved before March 18, for all work permit holders, particularly those in agriculture and food-related occupations, and for study permit holders approved before March 18.

Since the lockdown struck, the federal government has conducted six Express Entry draws, issuing Invitations to Apply to 11,720 Provincial Nominee Program and Canadian Experience Class candidates, most likely to already be here as temporary residents.

Draws have also continued at provincial level, with Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia all issuing invitations since March 15.

Many of these draws have been tailored to the challenging economic conditions caused by COVID-19 restrictions. With spiking unemployment and a stalled economy, skilled worker immigration to Canada is set to become a challenge in the short term.