Covid-19: Changes to Canadian Immigration Procedures

Canada Immigration Consultants

New Canadian Immigration Instructions During Covid-19

Although most of the decisions are on standby and a certain delay, there hasn’t been many major changes to the Canadian Immigration Procedures. There has been a slight change which has been more on a considerate basis. There aren’t going to be any rejections as such while applying for a PR rather a slight delay may be there.

While Canada has imposed travel restrictions, candidates are still welcome to submit Express Entry profiles as well as their permanent and temporary residence applications. Canada continues to hold Express Entry draws and issue invitations to apply for permanent residence. Canada is also being more flexible in processing applications by providing candidates with more time to obtain and submit their documentation in case candidates are being affected by COVID-19 disruptions.

Covid-19: Changes to Canadian Immigration Procedures

The following are the only entrants allowed in Canada at the moment:

  • Canadian citizens
  • Permanent residents
  • Immediate family of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, grandchildren, parent or step-parent, and guardian or tutor)
  • Permanent resident applicants who were approved for permanent residence before Canada announced its travel restrictions on March 16, 2020 but who had not yet travelled to Canada
  • Temporary foreign workers
  • International students who held a valid study permit or who had been approved for a study permit when Canada’s travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020
Covid-19: Changes to Canadian Immigration Procedures

Hot News:

  • Express Entry draws continue and federal and provincial governments continue to issue invitations to apply for permanent residence
  • starting March 16th, all in-person landing appointments are cancelled and will be held by telephone. IRCC will contact you by email to let you know when your new telephone appointment will be.
  • Biometrics deadline extended to 90 days, rather than 30. There will be 90-day extensions for additional document requests on open applications.
  • It is mandatory for those entering Canada to self-isolate for 14 days.
  • The travel restrictions are in place until June 30, 2020 at noon EDT.
  • The measures do not apply to trade or business.