COVID-19 IMMIGRATION CANADA NEWS *
How COVID-19 is affecting business at IRCC Temporary foreign workers, some international students and approved permanent residents who have not yet landed are now able to enter Canada.
Travel restriction exemptions that were announced by the Government of Canada are now in place. If you are exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you are travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you are allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements. Only some work performed by temporary foreign workers is exempted by the enclosed Emergency Order or has been deemed essential to maintain the health and welfare of Canadians by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) of Canada and they are therefore exempt from the self-isolation period. These include people who:
make necessary medical deliveries; work in the trade and transportation sector to move goods and people; cross the border regularly to go to work in Canada, including in the healthcare sector or critical infrastructure workers; and cross the border to provide or receive essential services, including emergency responders and personnel providing essential services to Canadians related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The exemptions mentioned above are the only categories of employees exempted from the mandatory 14 days self-isolation requirement of the Emergency Order.
IRCC, along with other government departments and international allies, continues to closely monitor COVID 19 and any impacts on people and our operations.
Last updated: April 1, 2020
*IMPORTANT NOTICE – COVID-19* Due to the exceptional and fluid circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, information will be updated as soon as possible. We kindly advise you to visit our website here for the latest COVID-19 developments.
Travel restriction exemptions that were announced by the Government of Canada are now in place. If you are exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you are travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you are allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements. Only some work performed by temporary foreign workers is exempted by the enclosed Emergency Order or has been deemed essential to maintain the health and welfare of Canadians by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) of Canada and they are therefore exempt from the self-isolation period. These include people who:
make necessary medical deliveries; work in the trade and transportation sector to move goods and people; cross the border regularly to go to work in Canada, including in the healthcare sector or critical infrastructure workers; and cross the border to provide or receive essential services, including emergency responders and personnel providing essential services to Canadians related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The exemptions mentioned above are the only categories of employees exempted from the mandatory 14 days self-isolation requirement of the Emergency Order.
IRCC, along with other government departments and international allies, continues to closely monitor COVID 19 and any impacts on people and our operations.
Last updated: April 1, 2020
*IMPORTANT NOTICE – COVID-19* Due to the exceptional and fluid circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, information will be updated as soon as possible. We kindly advise you to visit our website here for the latest COVID-19 developments.
Implications of travel restrictions on IRCC clients
On March 16, 2020, the Canada announced travel restriction measures that will restrict air travel to Canadians, permanent residents and families of Canadians to protect Canada from the outbreak of COVID-19. While these restrictions seek to stop non-essential travel, there are exceptions to ensure essential travel is permitted. The following text addresses common questions about the travel restrictions and other impacts COVID-19 is having on IRCC’s clients and operations.
What are the air travel restrictions?
How does the government define “immediate family member” under these restrictions?
In the Interim Order to Prevent Certain Persons from Boarding Flights to Canada due to COVID-19, immediate family member, in respect of a person, means
In the Interim Order to Prevent Certain Persons from Boarding Flights to Canada due to COVID-19, immediate family member, in respect of a person, means
- (a) the spouse or common-law partner of the person
- (b) a dependent child of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner
- (c) a dependent child of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b)
- (d) the parent or step-parent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner
- (e) the guardian or tutor of the person
What are the land travel restrictions?
As of midnight on March 20, 2020, Canada and the US have agreed to temporarily restrict all non-essential travel across the Canada–US border.
This collaborative and reciprocal measure between Canada and the US will restrict non-essential travel across the border, including for tourism and recreation. Canadian and American citizens and permanent residents who are currently visiting each other’s country can still return home.
This collaborative and reciprocal measure between Canada and the US will restrict non-essential travel across the border, including for tourism and recreation. Canadian and American citizens and permanent residents who are currently visiting each other’s country can still return home.
Will I be allowed to re-enter Canada if I am a permanent resident?
Asymptomatic landed permanent residents will be allowed to re-enter Canada. If a permanent resident is exhibiting symptoms, they will not be allowed to travel to Canada by air, but they will be able to re-enter Canada at a land border and must isolate for 14 days. The same applies to Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Act and protected persons.
Will I be able to remain in Canada if I am already in the country legally?
Yes.
Can a foreign national with a valid visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) but no study or work permit come to Canada?
While some exemptions apply, most foreign nationals who hold a valid visa or eTA are not able to travel to Canada by air at this time.
I have been approved for permanent residence but haven’t landed; can I still come?
Temporary foreign workers, some international students and approved permanent residents who haven’t yet landed are now able to enter Canada.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place as of March 26, 2020. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place as of March 26, 2020. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
Is IRCC Canada Immigration continuing to process and accept applications?
As announced, there are travel restrictions in place. We are continuing to accept and process applications at this time, although foreign nationals, unless exempt, will have their travel restricted until these measures have been lifted.
What is the impact on IRCC Canada Immigration processing times?
Canada Immigration IRCC expects service disruptions and restrictions due to COVID-19 to have an impact on processing times, and the current posted processing times may not be accurate.
What happens to people trying to apply for temporary or permanent status in Canada?
Travel restrictions in place. However, no application in progress will be closed or refused due to a lack of documentation or inability to complete the application process in time, such as giving biometrics or completing an immigration medical exam, when travel reopens.
What should foreign nationals who are in Canada with valid temporary status as a visitor, worker or student do if their status is about to expire?
Temporary residents who are currently in Canada are able to apply to extend their status online if they need to extend their status. A temporary resident who has applied to extend their status is allowed to remain in Canada until a decision is made on their new application, even if their initial status expires while they are waiting for that decision. This is called implied status.
They should not travel to a port of entry (POE) to apply directly to a border services officer. Travelling to a POE from inside Canada for the purpose of getting immigration services is not considered essential travel, and they will not receive these services.
They should not travel to a port of entry (POE) to apply directly to a border services officer. Travelling to a POE from inside Canada for the purpose of getting immigration services is not considered essential travel, and they will not receive these services.
What is the impact on temporary foreign workers?
Temporary foreign workers, some international students and approved permanent residents who haven’t yet landed are now able to enter Canada.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
What is the impact of the restrictions on international students?
Temporary foreign workers, some international students and approved permanent residents who haven’t yet landed are now able to enter Canada.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
What about international students who are concerned about restrictions on distance learning to be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit?
Courses of study being delivered online on an exceptional basis due to COVID 19 will not affect Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program eligibility.
When will the exemptions be in place? Should people being exempt rush to Canada immediately?
Temporary foreign workers, some international students and approved permanent residents who haven’t yet landed are now able to enter Canada.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
What is the impact on refugees and asylum claimants?
On March 17, 2020, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced that they, along with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), are temporarily suspending resettlement travel for refugees.
Canada relies on referrals from the UNHCR, other designated referral organizations and private sponsorship groups to identify refugees in need of resettlement.
The IOM and the UNHCR will make alternative arrangements for those refugees currently in transit and who are no longer able to continue their journey to Canada at this time.
Immigration Canada IRCC advises that it continues to accept asylum claimants in Canada, consistent with its international human rights obligations.
On March 20, 2020, Canada and the US also announced collaborative and reciprocal measures where we will now be returning irregular migrants who attempt to cross anywhere at the Canada–US border, including those who attempt to make an asylum claim at a land POE.
Canada relies on referrals from the UNHCR, other designated referral organizations and private sponsorship groups to identify refugees in need of resettlement.
The IOM and the UNHCR will make alternative arrangements for those refugees currently in transit and who are no longer able to continue their journey to Canada at this time.
Immigration Canada IRCC advises that it continues to accept asylum claimants in Canada, consistent with its international human rights obligations.
On March 20, 2020, Canada and the US also announced collaborative and reciprocal measures where we will now be returning irregular migrants who attempt to cross anywhere at the Canada–US border, including those who attempt to make an asylum claim at a land POE.
What domestic IRCC operations are closed or reduced due to COVID 19?
Domestic IRCC operations are reduced to critical services. Immigration Canada has cancelled all citizenship ceremonies, tests and retests, as well as all in-person permanent resident landing appointments and refugee claimant appointments. Immigration Canada IRCC is exploring alternative means to provide permanent resident landing services, including telephone. Clients will be contacted directly to reschedule their appointment.
Immigration Canada IRCC is also suspending non-essential settlement services and biometrics collection services at 58 Service Canada locations.
Immigration Canada IRCC is also suspending non-essential settlement services and biometrics collection services at 58 Service Canada locations.
Has Canada Immigration IRCC suspended immigration loan payments for refugees?
IRCC has decided to suspend its immigrant loan collection activities for a period of 6 months, until September 2020. Clients who have questions about their loan, or who wish to make alternative arrangements for payments during this period, can contact IRCC at 1-800-667-7301.