Processing changes for Visas due to COVID-19.
With many restrictions on travel, Canada is also suspending the processing of non-essential visitor visa and eTA applications.
Processing for Other Types of Applications
All temporary foreign worker applications will continue processing, with a particular focus on essential services such as medical fields and food supply chains.
The processing of study permits applications for students will continue in anticipation of the fall study term. Only students with a study permit issued before March 18, 2020, can currently travel to Canada.
Permanent residence applications continue to be processed. Only permanent residents who received approval before March 19, 2020, can travel to Canada.
Between April 9 and 29, 2020, the application process will change for visitor visas, eTAs, study permits and work permits.
Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Workers, students and visitors who qualify for a travel exemption must apply online
If you are applying for a visitor visa or eTA, make sure you are eligible for a travel exemption, click here for the latest travel exemptions
If you already applied for a visitor visa
Email IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca provide details on:
You’re exempt from the travel restrictions
Your essential purpose and evidence to show how you meet the exemption
You have an application in process
How you applied for your visa—online or by paper
Your application number
Your unique client identifier (UCI) number
Where you live now (current country of residence)
If your application is approved, we’ll tell you the next steps in the process.
If you applied for a visitor visa by paper, you can link your application to an online account. In your online account, you can see the status of your application and receive messages about your application.
Your application won’t be processed until the pause is lifted if
you don’t meet one of the exemption criteria
an officer determines that you’re not travelling for an essential purpose
If you already applied for an eTA but haven’t heard back
Send us a Web form explaining you are exempt from the travel restrictions and why your travel is essential.
Then upload evidence to support how you meet one of the travel exemption criteria.
Once an officer is satisfied that you meet one of the necessary exemption criteria, based on the evidence you have submitted, you’ll receive an email from IRCC with the next steps.
If you haven't applied yet when you apply for a visitor visa
You must self-identify on the application form for the purpose of travel section by selecting "other" and writing in capitals, COVID-19.
Pay the application fee and submit all required supporting documents, including giving biometrics.
You must provide evidence that you meet one of the travel restriction exemption criteria and are travelling for an essential purpose. The type of evidence you need to provide depends on which criterion you qualify for.
If you need to apply for an eTA
You’ll need to apply online for an eTA.
After you apply, send us a Web form about your exemption to the travel restrictions, and explain why your travel is for an essential purpose.
When filling out the Web form, do the following: Type of application/enquiry, select “Electronic Travel Authorization,” and then “Case Specific Enquiries.”
Then upload evidence that you meet one of the exemption criteria and proof that you're travelling for an essential purpose.
If your eTA is automatically approved, you’ll receive an approval email with the details of your eTA.
If you are seeking assistance for your applications to Canada or takeover to handle an already submitted application, we have reduced our legal fees by 35% to assist our community. To learn more, click here to learn how NextGen is supporting your visa applications during COVID-19. Contact us on the below form to find out how we can help you.
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Stay safe,
NextGen