Canada temporarily changes its immigration policy

Canada temporarily changes its immigration policy

Immigration procedures and deadlines were updated by IRCC to protect officials and as well as immigrants who are under threat by coronavirus pandemic.

According to the IRCC, applications will not be refused due to non-compliance at this time. Although there can be delays, IRCC offices abroad and as well as the case processing centers will continue to process all applications which are currently in progress.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, certain visa application centers have been temporarily closed to further prevent the spread of the virus. In addition, workers at some other visa processing centers have been reduced to essential staff only. If you need more information about your local visa application center, please follow this link to get more information.

Furthermore, IRCC will continue to request required documents from immigration candidates which must be provided by Chinese, Iranian and South Korean governments. The documentation includes police certificates, medical examination reports, biometrics, passports, and others.

Candidates will receive an additional 90 days to prepare required documents for application processing.

In order to prevent further delay in the processing times of applications, all appointments, interviews and as well as other ceremonies will be rescheduled.

Candidates will be unable to be present for permanent resident landing and in-person refugee claims until April 13.

Candidates coming from China, Iran and as well as South Korea will be given 30 days more to submit their documents with IRCC. In addition, 45 days will also be granted to abide by the requests for a medical opinion form.

Still, according to the normal procedures, all candidates need to meet the physical presence requirements. If candidates have spent some extra days in China, Iran or South Korea, these days will not be accounted forward as days spent in Canada.

IRCC offices in China, Ankara, and Manila will consider urgent applications made by temporary residence candidates.

Temporary residence

You can apply for the extension of your temporary residence document if you are in Canada as a foreign national. You need to meet all the requirements to submit your application online.

In addition, candidates, whose applications are being currently processed, can remain in Canda until the final decision is given.

For those, who have their TRV already expired, may be qualified to restore their document.

No fees will be waived for applications made for temporary residence or extensions.

Permanent residence

According to the IRCC, new applications to become Canadian permanent residents will be accepted. Candidates who have submitted complete application can track their status as per normal procedures.

In addition, if you have submitted incomplete application due to the lack of certain documents, your application will remain in the system and be reviewed in 90 days.

You need to inform whether if you have been affected by service difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will ensure you receive an additional 90 days to provide all other required documents.