COVID-19 impact on Canada Immigration

Measures taken by Canada regarding immigration, visas and border services as a response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

To restrain the coronavirus from spreading, Canada has come forward with special immigration measures. Canada is accepting immigration applications, holding express entry draws (latest draw on March 23, 2020, issued 3,232 candidates an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with CRS score as low as 467) and all other immigration-related online services. The government of Canada provided an update on travel restrictions to contain the virus. Exemptions to the restrictions are provided in a News Realise on March 20, 2020. Get in touch with us to know about COVID 19 impact on Canada Immigration.

Canada continues to accept new applications despite travel restrictions

Despite travel restrictions that have been imposed, all interested candidates can upload their express entry profiles, permanent and temporary application intake is open. Canada is accommodating candidates with more time to collect and submit documents effected by COVID 19 disruptions.

Canada Prime Minister announced travel restriction measures effecting air travel to safeguard Canada from the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, restrictions have been imposed on non-essential travel with certain exemptions to ensure essential travel is permitted with precautions.

“Workers, students and approved permanent residents who haven’t landed should not travel yet. Exemptions are announced but they’re not in place. Travel restrictions are still in effect for these groups”

Who can travel to Canada?

• Canadian Citizens & Permanent Residents
• Immediate family members of Canadian Citizens & Permanent Residents (Spouse & common-law partners, dependent child, and spouse or common-law partners dependent child, parent or stepparent and spouse and common-law partners parent or stepparent and guardian/tutor

Air travel restrictions

All foreign nationals are denied boarding on flights from all countries to Canada unless they fall in the exempt list. However, only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and some foreign nationals who are in the USA and are asymptomatic will be able to come to Canada by air, with some exceptions.

To restrict the spread of the virus, only four airports in Canada are receiving International travelers from March 18, 2020:

1. Toronto Pearson International Airport
2. Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
3. Calgary International Airport
4. Vancouver International Airport

Land travel restrictions

From midnight on March 20, 2020, temporary restrictions are imposed by both Canada and the USA. Restrictions on all non-essential travel (tourism recreation) are applicable across the Canada–US border. If you are a Canadian and American citizen and permanent resident, you can return home if they are visiting each other’s country.

Foreign nationals in Canada with valid temporary status (visitor, worker or student) about to expire soon

Are you on temporary resident status in Canada which is expiring soon?

Anyone with temporary resident status is eligible to apply for an online extension if needed. Temporary residents whose initial status expires while the extension decision is pending will be allowed to remain in Canada. The status extension is implied status.

COVID-19 Impact on on-going applications

Are you waiting for a decision on your Immigration application?

If your application is in progress it will not be closed or refused due to lack of documentation or inability to complete the application process in time, i.e. giving biometrics or completing an immigration medical examination.

COVID 19 may have some impact on service disruptions and restrictions on the application processing time.

Global Vision Immigration (GVI) helps you achieve your Canada dream while maintaining social and physical distancing. COVID 19 forced millions to work remotely. GVI team is available to answer all your queries through phone calls and emails. Contact us today for free online assessment.