How COVID-19 is affecting Canadian immigration
Updated – July 23, 2020
Latest videos:
- Canada Immigration News – July 23, 2020, Travel Restrictions, Express Entry and more
- Critical Express Entry Update | Canada Immigration News, July 10, 2020
- Resuming Refugee Hearings despite Coronavirus Pandemic, July 6, 2020
Canadian Policies about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has affected many areas of the world. Consequently, the government of Canada has put measures to promote a fair immigration process. Of course, such measures keep the integrity of our immigration system intact.
- July 15, 2020 – Canada extends the grace period for submitting a Restoration of Status application
- July 14, 2020 – Minister Mendicino announces changes to facilitate online learning for international students
- July 8, 2020 – Finally an Express Entry Draw for Every Category
- July 6, 2020 – Resuming Refugee Hearings despite Coronavirus Pandemic
- July 1, 2020 – Canada Resumes Processing Online Visa and eTA Applications
- June 22, 2020 – Which Visa Application Centres are open?
- May 12, 2020 – Quickly change your employer in Canada!
- Permanent resident applicants outside Canada – If your application was approved on or before March 18, 2020, you may travel to Canada. However, if your application was approved after March 18, 2020, hold off on your travel plans to Canada. Also, if your documents (COPR or PR visa) will expire before you travel to Canada, contact IRCC via the web form.
- Travelling to Canada – Effective March 18, 2020, Canada is denying entry to travellers who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada. There are certain exceptions to these restrictions to permit essential travel for temporary foreign workers who have a work permit or who are approved for one. When you arrive in Canada, your health will be assessed when you speak to the border services officer. You must isolate for 14 days, even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory for all travellers, and there are significant penalties for anyone who does not follow this order. Please see New Order Makes Self-Isolation Mandatory for Individuals Entering Canada.
- April 22, 2020 – Relief for international students: Some international students may now work full-time instead of 20 hours per week.
- Refugee claims inside Canada – If you are inside Canada, you may send your request to become a refugee to [email protected]cic.gc.ca. Please do not use this email for any other reasons. The immigration authorities will contact you to ask for more information. Upon receiving the second set of documents from you, they will approve you for the Interim Federal Healthcare Program (IFHP). Therefore, you will be able to go to hospitals and doctors to receive free healthcare. However, this does not mean your application is approved. This is just a temporary measure to assist you initiate your application and also receive government-supported healthcare.
- Canada-US border is closed to non-essential travels.
- The Global News report
- Important: Flagpoling is considered non-essential travel, so you may not consider it for validating your COPR (permanent resident landing paper) or receive a work permit, a study permit or renewing your stay in Canada.
- Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Program delivery instructions
- You may submit documents in 90 days instead of 30 days in most cases
- You may give biometrics in 90 days instead of 30 days
- Officers won’t likely refuse applications for non-compliance. However, consult with your representative for more information.
- Contacting IRCC:
- You may call 1-888-242-2100 for general information only if you live in Canada. However, there are no live agents because of coronavirus
- If you need to contact IRCC because of your case, then you need to fill out the IRCC Web Form.
- An announcement by the Prime Minister’s office:
- Travel ban to Canada with the exception of the following people:
- Citizens and permanent residents of Canada
- The US citizens
- Immediate family members of Canadian Citizens
- Flight crews and foreign diplomats
- Limiting most international flights to four airports (Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver).
- Travel ban to Canada with the exception of the following people:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel advice
- Immigration Courts and Tribunals (IRB hearings: refugees, inadmissibility, appeals, etc. and Federal Court hearings): Almost every in-person hearing is now cancelled. Watch the following video for more information and also click the following official links:
Knowing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you are not familiar with the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, consider visiting one of the following pages:
- CDC: Share Facts About COVID-19
- Government of Canada: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Symptoms and treatment
- Parsai Immigration Services: COVID-19 Prevention & Preparedness Resources
The US Policies about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Since the United States decisions affect many Canadians, below is a useful link for the US:
We will update this page occasionally.
If you wish to visit or move to Canada, please fill out our free assessment form. We will review the form for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licenced practitioner.
Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
Disclaimer:
This article provides information of a general nature only. It may no longer be current. It does not give legal advice. Do not rely on it as legal advice or immigration advice. We cannot be held responsible for the content of these articles. If you have specific legal questions, you must consult a lawyer. If you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment. All the characters in the articles are fictional, unless otherwise clearly stated. Any resemblance in names, dates, and places (whether individuals, organizations, regions, or countries) is coincidental.
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