Things you must know about Canada immigration in 2020

Due to the COVID19 outbreak, Canada’s immigration rules and procedures have been undergoing changes almost daily. One of the major preventive measures taken by Canada is to implement travel restrictions between 18th March and 30th June.

Here are some things you must know about Canada immigration in 2020:

• Can you still submit an Expression of Interest and an application for Permanent Residence?

Yes. You can still submit an EOI and PR application. IRCC will continue to hold Express Entry draws at regular intervals. In the past five days, IRCC has conducted two Express Entry draws inviting almost 4,000 applicants to apply for Canada PR. Provinces in Canada will also continue to hold provincial draws through their respective PNPs.

IRCC will continue to process applications for Permanent Residence as per its normal guidelines. However, individuals affected by Coronavirus disruptions will be given an extra 90 days to submit a completed application.

• Who is allowed to come to Canada?

According to the IRCC, the following individuals will be allowed to enter Canada between 18th March and 30th June.

• Canadian citizens
• Canadian Permanent Residents
• Immediate family members of Canada Permanent Residents and citizens
• Permanent Residents who have received their PR Visa prior to 16th March and have not yet travelled to Canada
• Temporary foreign workers
• International students who have obtained a Student Visa prior to 18th March
• Passengers on transit

             Exempted individuals are advised to regularly monitor the Canadian government’s website before booking their tickets to Canada.

• What is meant by immediate family members?

As per the IRCC, immediate family members include:

• Spouse or de facto partner
• Dependent children
• Grandchildren
• Parents or step-parents
• Tutor or Guardian

• What are Canada’s travel restrictions for land travel?

Canada and the US have mutually agreed to close their borders for non-essential travel. Canadians in the US, however, will be allowed to return home.

• Who is exempted from Canada’s land travel restrictions?

Essential travel is still allowed between Canada and the US for life-saving medicines and ensuring the supply of food items.

• Can you flagpole?

Flagpoling, or travelling to the Canada-US border to update your immigration status is not allowed. Canada has deemed travelling to the US border to update your PR, temporary residence or Visitor Visa status as non-essential. To update your immigration status, you may apply on the IRCC website.

• Can you still apply for Temporary Residence Visas?

Yes. IRCC is still accepting and processing applications for Temporary Residence Visas. However, you will only be allowed to travel to Canada once the travel restrictions have been removed.

• Will the Coronavirus outbreak affect the processing times of IRCC?

Applicants have been advised to expect delays due to service disruptions.

• What can you do if your Student Visa, Work Visa or Visitor Visa is about to expire?

If you are still in Canada, you can apply for an extension of your temporary Visas online. You will be allowed to remain in Canada until a decision is made on your application. You must not travel to a port of entry to apply.

• Will you be able to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit if your study course is being delivered online?

If your study course is being delivered online due to the Coronavirus pandemic, you will still qualify for the PGWP and may apply.

• How will refugee and asylum seekers be affected?

Canada collaborates with the UNHCR and other organizations to identify refugees that need to be resettled. The International Organization for Migration and the UNHCR have announced the temporary suspension of resettlement travel for refugees. These organizations may make different arrangements for refugees who are already in transit.

Canada continues to accept applications from asylum seekers in Canada, except for those applying at the US-Canada border. Canada and the US have announced that any irregular immigrant attempting to cross the border will be returned.

Y-Axis offers a wide range of Visa and Immigration products as well as services for aspiring overseas students, including Study Visa for Canada, Work Visa for Canada, Canada Evaluation, Visit Visa for   Canada, and Business Visa for Canada. We work with Regulated Immigration Consultants in Canada.

If you are looking to Study, Work in Canada, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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