How to immigrate to Canada during COVID-19?

In the current situation of the Coronavirus pandemic, many countries including Canada have imposed travel restrictions and border closures. This has affected immigrants living in the country. Immigrants on a temporary visa are thinking about how to extend their stay while immigrants wanting to move to Canada are wondering how to get there in the present situation.

Student visa

If you are on a Student Visa in Canada, there are several options for you to convert your visa to a permanent residency. If you are studying in any of the provinces in Canada in any of their universities, you can try for a job offer or work experience in the province where you studied. Certain provincial nominee programs prefer to give PR visas to applicants who have studied in the province.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Under the CEC program, those who have worked in Canada for at least one year are considered for a PR visa. Since its launch in 2008, the IRCC has been inviting many candidates under the CEC for permanent residency.

In the recent immigration draws, the CEC specific draws of IRCC issued 10,308 invitations to apply (ITAs) in three draws with the latest one being the largest CEC specific draw since the implementation of travel restrictions.

Focusing on CEC applicants makes sense as these immigration candidates are already in Canada and will be less affected by the COVID-19 restrictions.

Spousal sponsorship

Another way to immigrate to Canada is through a spousal sponsorship program.

Under this program, an individual can sponsor his or her spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for PR visa in Canada. The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and at least 18 years old.

The sponsor must be living in Canada and be able to meet the spouse’s or partner's basic financial needs for three years once they come to Canada.

Proof of relationship is required to make use of the program.

The Canadian government continues to process applications under this program despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

Express Entry program

This program is all too familiar for immigration candidates. The good news is Express Entry draws continue to be held despite Coronavirus.

Canada has issued 11,700 invitations to apply (ITAs) under the Express Entry system in April compared to the 7,800 invitations in March and 8000 invitations issued in February.

The latest EE draw held on May 1^st issued 3,311 ITAs with a CRS score of 452. Considering this now is the best time to make a PR application because of the high number of ITAs and lower CRS score requirements.

Provincial Nominee program

Many provinces and territories in Canada are regularly conducting draws and issuing invitations in spite of COVID-19 restrictions.

Provinces in Canada are continuing their provincial nominee programs to bring immigrants to their region. Provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have held draws on a regular basis in the recent past.

Canada is determined to continue its immigration program despite COVID-19, and you can make the best use of this opportunity.