COVID-19 Canadian immigration notices.
In light of the recent spread of COVID-19, there have been several protective measures and updates from the Government of Canada. We’ve been tracking updates from Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada and are being asked frequently by our clients what the impact on immigration to Canada will be.
The below updates originally came into place on February 7, 2020, for applicants from and in China and were expanded to applicants in Iran and South Korea as of February 29, 2020. As of March 15, 2020, special processing instructions for temporary residence, permanent residence and citizenship applications have been updated into program delivery instructions.
IRCC offices in China and Hong Kong are operating with essential staff only. All VACs in China are closed until further notice. The VAC Hong Kong and VAC Contact Centre for China are open, with normal business hours.
Applicants in China, Iran and South Korea may still submit online applications due to the VAC closures.
Applications will not be refused for non-compliance (e.g. biometrics request, medical request), and those currently in process at visa offices abroad will continue to process but may experience delays.
Additional documentation requests will allow for a 90-day period for applicants to respond. If no response is received, a further 90 days will be given.
Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) cannot be amended and will continue to say 30 days; however, the officer should still allow 90 days, despite the 30-day timeline identified.
If an applicant is unable to travel and has received their COPR and PRVs, an explanation should be provided, and notes should be placed on the file explaining why an applicant is unable to travel. If the COPR and PRV expires before travel, officers are to re-open the applicants' file, and it should be brought forward for review in 90 days
Intake of all permanent residence applications will continue. Files that are incomplete due to unavailable documents should write an explanation that they are affected by the service disruptions. The application may then be reviewed.
There is no waiver for any temporary residence applications or extensions. All foreign nationals who are in Canada whose status will expire soon must apply for an extension.
If applicants have missed events with respect to their citizenship, knowledge tests, retests, interviews, hearings, or oath ceremonies, officers are directed to reschedule events once notified the applicant has returned to Canada. Document requests will be given an additional 30 days if applicants have returned from China, Iran or South Korea.
Officers will provide applicants an additional 45 days to provide Medical Opinion forms upon their return to Canada
Extra days spent in China, Iran or South Korea due to the virus shall not count as days in Canada. Applicants must meet the physical presence requirements per normal procedure.
Urgent applications for temporary residence are to be actioned by IRCC offices in China, Hong Kong, Ankara and Manila (processing office for South Korea). All other expedite requests will be at the discretion of the Migration Program Manager of the responsible visa office.
Instructions for Urgent Requests
Temporary residence applicants in China who have an urgent travel request are asked to submit an online application then flag the application to IRCC Beijing for urgent processing at beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca
Temporary residence applicants in Iran who have an urgent travel request are asked to submit an online application then flag the application to IRCC using the web form for urgent processing. Clients should select “No” in response to the question ‘is your application being processed by an office outside of Canada?”)
Temporary residence applicants in South Korea who have an urgent travel request are asked to submit an online application and then flag the application to IRCC using the web form for urgent processing. Clients should select “No” in response to the question ‘is your application being processed by an office outside of Canada?”)
Permanent residents in China who require a PRTD should contact the VAC. Applicants requesting urgent travel outside of China should contact IRCC Beijing by email. Submit your PRTD directly to the embassy.
Permanent residents who may require a PRTD to return to Canada should contact IRCC via the web form. Clients outside Canada should select “Yes” in response to the question, “Is your application being processed by an office OUTSIDE Canada?” and then select “Turkey – Ankara” as the visa office processing their application. Applicants requesting urgent travel outside of Iran should be directed to contact IRCC Ankara in exceptional cases only (email). Permanent residents are being asked to submit applications directly to the embassy by courier.
Permanent residents in South Korea who require a PRTD to return to Canada should contact IRCC via the web form. Clients outside Canada should select “Yes” in response to the question, “Is your application being processed by an office OUTSIDE Canada?” and then select “Philippines – Manila” as the visa office processing their application. Applicants requesting urgent travel outside of South Korea should be directed to contact IRCC Manila by email. Permanent residents are being asked to submit applications directly to the embassy by courier.
Other Recent Updates:
International students in Canada: courses being delivered online on an exceptional basis due to COVID19 will not affect Post-Graduation Work Permit Program eligibility
IRCC is cancelling all citizenship ceremonies and citizenship tests as of March 14 until further notice.
All in-person permanent resident landing appointments until April 13, 2020, have been cancelled. If you had a landing appointment already booked, it will be held by telephone on a new date.
All refugee claimant appointments until April 13, 2020, have been cancelled. You will be contacted with your new appointment date.
As of noon on March 18, 2020, Canada will deny entry to people who aren't Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, or immediate family members of such.
For more information visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2020-coronavirus.html
If you are impacted by the above, we are working to provide as much support as possible to immigrants and their families. As the issue continues to evolve, we’ll share more updates.
Until then, from all of us at NextGen,
Stay Informed. Stay safe.