2020-03-16 – Canada’s federal immigration authorities have introduced a number of special measures aimed at candidates affected by the outbreak of coronavirus.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday, March 16 that Canada would take the extraordinary step of barring entry to everyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident, with a few exceptions.
U.S. citizens, immediate family members of citizens, aircrew and diplomats are the only groups exempt from the measure.
Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to board flights to Canada, with air operators required to complete a basic health check on every passenger.
Further, international flights are now only allowed to land at airports in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.
Financial assistance is to be provided to help Canadian travellers with the costs of returning home or to cover their needs while they wait.
To help stop the coronavirus spread, the Canada Border Services Agency is to boost staff, education and screening at airports and other entry points.
Travellers from any international location will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days, after being asked if they have coronavirus symptoms: fever, coughing or difficulty breathing.
Candidates For Temporary Residence, Permanent Residence, Citizenship and Refugees
The measures include various situations affecting temporary and permanent resident applications, citizenship applications and refugees.
They are also aimed at candidates from COVID-19 hotspots, including China, South Korea and Iran.
Major disruptions include the outright closure or limitation of services at certain visa application centres.
Canada has also cancelled all in-person landing appointments for newly-arrived permanent residents until April 13, 2020.
All citizenship ceremonies and tests have also been cancelled until further notice.
Detailed information on special measures put in place are included under each of the headings below.
Situation 1: Candidates Already Approved For Permanent Residence
Candidates who are approved for permanent residence but cannot travel before documents expire are required to inform Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Once candidates are able to travel, they must inform IRCC again to receive instructions on what to do next.
As of March 16, and until April 13, 2020, all landing appointments are to be held by phone. All in-person appointments are cancelled. IRCC will email candidates to set up phone appointments, so ensure all contact information is up to date.
If a candidate has a permanent residence confirmation that has already expired, they should still let IRCC know why they could not travel. Once the candidate can travel, they should again let IRCC know and further instructions will be provided.
Situation 2: Canadian Citizenship Applicants
As of March 14, 2020 and until further notice, all citizenship ceremonies, tests and itinerant services (any in-person meeting) are cancelled.
Candidates returning from affected countries will have an extra 30 days to submit the majority of required documents and an extra 45 days for medical opinion forms.
Time spent outside Canada due to coronavirus will not count as days in Canada under physical presence requirements.
Situation 3: Candidates Who Have Applied For Temporary or Permanent Residence And Are Outside Canada
Any application for temporary or permanent residence will not be refused where the candidate cannot complete the steps due to coronavirus. Temporary resident applications include visitor visas, work permits and study permits.
Candidates will automatically get an extra 90 days to submit the required documentation and not application will be closed or refused due to lack of documentation. Just complete the steps as soon as possible.
The biometrics deadline has also been extended to 90 days, although the biometrics instruction letter still says 30 days.
Candidates who want to can withdraw their applications. They qualify for a refund if an application is withdrawn within 24 hours of submission.
Situation 4: Candidates About To Apply For Permanent Residence Through Express Entry
Candidates who have received an Express Entry Invitation to Apply must still submit an application within 60 days.
Those missing documents due to coronavirus disruptions must still submit their application, but include a letter explaining why documents are missing. The application will be placed on hold until further notice.
Once the documents are available, they can be submitted.
Situation 5: Candidates Who Need An Urgent Visitor Visa, Work Permit or Study Permit To Travel To Canada
From China:
Apply online, then email the Beijing visa office to request urgent processing. Those who have already applied can still email the visa office to request urgent processing.
From Iran:
Apply online, then fill out a web form to explain why urgent processing is required. Make sure to answer ‘no’ to the question: “Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada?”
From South Korea:
Apply online, then fill out a web form to explain why urgent processing is required. Make sure to answer ‘no’ to the question: “Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada?”
Situation 6: Permanent Residents Who Need To Travel To Canada Urgently
From China:
Candidates who need an urgent permanent resident travel document should email the Beijing visa office to request urgent processing. The application should be submitted by courier to the visa office.
From Iran:
Candidates who need an urgent permanent resident travel document should submit a web form. Make sure to answer ‘yes’ to the question: “Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada?”, and select “Turkey – Ankara” as the visa office.
Candidates must then email the Ankara visa office to explain the exceptional circumstances. Applications should be submitted to the office by courier.
From South Korea:
Candidates who need an urgent permanent resident travel document should submit a web form. Make sure to answer ‘yes’ to the question: “Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada?”, and select “Philippines – Manila” as the visa office.
Candidates must then email the Manila visa office to explain the exceptional circumstances. Applications should be submitted to the office by courier.
Situation 7: Temporary Residents Unable To Leave Canada
Candidates Whose Status Has Not Yet Expired:
Candidates (visitors, work or study permit holders) can apply online to extend their stay.
Work or study permit holders who are no longer working or studying can apply to change their status to visitor, provided the work or study permit has not expired.
Work or study permit holders may also be able to extend their existing permits, if eligible.
Candidates should include a note in their applications stating the special circumstances.
Candidates Whose Status Expired Within 90 Days:
Candidates (visitors, work or study permit holders) can apply to restore their status.
Candidates must select ‘restore my status’ on the form and include a note explaining the reason for extending their stay. They must also pay a restoration fee.
If a candidate’s status is restored, they will receive a visitor record or permit extending their status until a specific date.
Candidates Whose Status Expired More Than 90 Days Ago:
Candidates may be eligible for a temporary resident permit, giving them legal status in Canada. They should include a note explaining the reason for extending their stay.
Situation 8: Refugees in Canada
As of March 16, and until April 13, 2020, all refugee claimant appointments are cancelled. Those who had an appointment will be contacted to set up a new appointment.
Immigration.ca’s Coronavirus Response
As we face the ever-changing circumstances related to Covid-19, we find ourselves having to make unprecedented decisions. In these times of uncertainty, we are dedicated and determined on getting through this global crisis together to emerge stronger than ever.
The government of Canada has announced the closing of its borders for all non-Canadians with exceptions of permanent residents, their immediate families, diplomats and U.S. citizens at this time.
Therefore, if you were planning on landing in Canada at this time, please contact our office for more advice on procedures to follow.
This temporary measure does not prevent our office from working on your application and does not prevent the submission of applications through the Express Entry system. IRCC is also putting into place new procedures to allow more time to applicants in providing documentation and information following receipt of requests from immigration officers.
IRCC is publishing new measures every day and has no intention to penalize applicants because of Covid-19. These are temporary and extraordinary measures taken by the government in order to slow down any potential contamination and to fight this highly contagious virus.
As the situation surrounding Covid-19 rapidly changes, we will continue to monitor it carefully and keep you informed of any changes and updates.
We are 100 percent committed to your ever-evolving needs and your project to come to Canada. In the face of this new reality, we are united.
We will stay in contact with you and will continue to work for you and your Canada project. Rest assured that your dreams and projects to immigrate to Canada will not be compromised.
This is unchartered territory for many of us, so please remember to be kind to one another and do what you can as individuals to stay healthy and safe.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff that is providing essential services, despite the difficult circumstances – we truly appreciate you.
