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 Edmonton, Alberta
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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.

​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
  • (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.

​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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

  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.

Current Summary:
Exemptions to the travel restrictions:

The following people may travel to Canada for an essential purpose: temporary foreign workers some international students some approved permanent residents immediate family members of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident (see below for more information) immediate family members with written authorization from the Government of Canada to reunite with a non-Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada (see below for more information) transiting passengers (must remain in a Canadian airport to complete their connection) members of the Canadian forces, visiting forces, Department of National Defence and their immediate family members accredited diplomats and immediate family members (includes North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], those under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, other organizations) air and marine crew members French citizens who live in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and have been in only Canada, the US or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon during the 14 days before the day they seek to enter Canada any person who does not pose a significant harm to public health, in the opinion of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, and who will provide an essential service while in Canada any person whose presence in Canada is in the national interest, in the opinion of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; or Foreign Affairs any person who is coming at the invitation of the Minister of Health for the purpose of COVID-19 assistance any person whose purpose is to make medical deliveries An immediate family member is defined as a spouse or common-law partner dependent child dependent child of a dependent child parent or step-parent guardian or tutor Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents To board your flight to Canada, you must have your health checked by airline officials to confirm that you don’t have symptoms of COVID‑19, including a fever, a cough and difficulty breathing Anyone showing symptoms will not be allowed to board. tell the airline that you’re exempt from the travel restrictions show that you’re travelling to Canada for an essential reason and not for reasons that are optional or non-essential, such as tourism, recreation or entertainment present proof to show that you’re an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident make sure you have a valid travel document (visitor visa or eTA) and a valid passport to fly to Canada You do not need a written authorization from the Government of Canada confirming that you are exempt from the travel restrictions Documents to use as proof that you’re an immediate family member

You must have 2 types of documents:
1. one that shows your immediate family member’s status as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
2. one that shows your relationship to that family member

Documents that show your immediate family member’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status include a Canadian passport proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a citizenship certificate, citizenship card or provincial or territorial birth certificate a Canadian permanent resident card a Canadian permanent resident travel document a visa-exempt foreign passport with an IRCC Special Authorization for Canadian Citizens.  Documents that show your relationship to that family member include a marriage or common-law status certificate a birth certificate Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) for the family class (the COPR category under Application Details will be FC) or under the One‑Year Window of Opportunity Program (coded OYW under Special Program) other documents that show an immediate family connection (for example, correspondence from us showing a spousal sponsorship application in progress or documents that show a shared home address)

Note: Paper and electronic copies of the documents above are accepted. Reuniting with an immediate family member who lives in Canada but is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident To board your flight to Canada, you must have written authorization from the Government of Canada to fly to Canada. There are 2 ways to contact us to request an authorization: Email IRCC at IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca. We’ll contact you within 48 hours of getting your email and tell you what to do next. Contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad. When you contact us, you must provide your full name date of birth unique client identifier (UCI) passport number detailed reason for travel proof of relationship with an immediate family member in Canada proof of immigration status of your immediate family member in Canada proof of temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) If you don’t have written authorization, you won’t be allowed to board your flight to Canada, even if you have a valid visitor visa or eTA. To be eligible to travel to Canada, you need a written authorization from IRCC confirming that you are exempt from the travel restrictions a valid visitor visa (if you’re from a country whose nationals require a visa) or an eTA (if you’re from a country whose nationals are visa-exempt) a valid passport to tell the airline that you’re exempt from the travel restrictions to show a consular or immigration officer that you’re coming for an essential purpose, such as to live with your spouse, partner or parent You’ll be refused an authorization if an officer finds that you’re travelling for an optional or non-essential purpose, such as for tourism, entertainment or recreation. to have your health checked by airline officials to confirm that you don’t have symptoms of COVID‑19, including a fever, a cough and difficulty breathing Anyone showing symptoms will not be allowed to board. Mandatory quarantine for travellers entering Canada When you arrive in Canada by air or land, we assess your health before you leave the port of entry. If you’re exempt from the travel restrictions, you must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms. If you don’t have a plan, you’ll be quarantined in a facility designated by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada. Only people who provide essential services, for example truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods, are exempt from the quarantine requirements.

*This information is provided to assist you generally, and is subject to changes by the Government & may vary on a case to case basis. We recommend that you book a consultation to discuss your cas. 

           
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