How The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Is Affecting Immigration Services.

Canada is still approving permanent residence applications.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue to process new applications for permanent residence. Files with missing documents will be retained in the system and reviewed within 90 days.

Complete applications will be processed according to normal procedures.

New applications with missing supporting documentation will need to include an explanation that they are impacted by service interruptions due to the new coronavirus.

Applicants for permanent residence who are in possession of a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) and who inform the IRCC that they are unable to travel will be able to maintain the validity of their documents.

Approved permanent residents who haven’t yet landed, Temporary Foreign Workers, International Students are able to enter Canada.

All temporary foreign workers are exempt from travel restrictions and can travel to Canada by air or land.

International students with valid study permit or approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, are exempt from the travel restrictions.

Anyone travelling to Canada by air need to pass a health check conducted by airlines before allowed boarding the flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.

Upon arriving to Canada, all travellers will have their health assessed before leaving the port of entry. 

All travellers must isolate themselves for 14 days even if they have no symptoms.