March 20, 2020—Ottawa—The Government of Canada is providing an update on travel restrictions put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Exemptions to the air travel restrictions will apply to foreign nationals who have already committed to working, studying or making Canada their home, and travel by these individuals will be considered essential travel for land border restrictions.

The exemptions include

• seasonal agricultural workers, fish/seafood workers, caregivers and all other temporary foreign workers
• international students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020
• permanent resident applicants who had been approved for permanent residence before the travel restrictions were announced on March 16, 2020, but who had not yet travelled to Canada

In addition, a temporary modification is being made to the Labour Market Impact Assessment process for agriculture and food processing employers, as the required 2-week recruitment period will be waived for the next 6 months.

We are also increasing the maximum allowable employment duration for workers in the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program from 1 to 2 years. This will improve flexibility and reduce the administrative burden for employers, including those in food processing.

To safeguard the continuity of trade, commerce, health and food security for all Canadians, temporary foreign workers in agriculture, agri-food, seafood processing and other key industries will be allowed to travel to Canada under exemptions being put in place to the air travel restrictions that took effect on March 18.

In addition to health screening protocols before travel, all individuals entering from abroad must isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in Canada.

Allowing foreign workers to enter Canada recognizes their vital importance to the Canadian economy, including food security for Canadians and the success of Canadian food producers. The arrival of farm workers and fish/seafood workers is essential to ensure that planting and harvesting activities can take place. There will always be jobs available for Canadians who wish to work on farms and at food processing plants.

Those affected by these exemptions should not try to travel to Canada immediately. We will announce when the exemptions are in place, which we anticipate will be early next week.

These exemptions follow others announced earlier this week, for 

• foreign nationals traveling at the invitation of the Canadian government for a purpose related to the containment of COVID-19
• close family members of Canadian citizens
• close family members of Canadian permanent residents
• a person who is authorized, in writing, by a consular officer of the Government of Canada to enter Canada for the purpose of reuniting immediate family members
• a person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act
• accredited diplomats and family members (including NATO, those under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, other organizations)
• air crews
• any foreign national, or group of foreign nationals, whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Minister of Public Safety
• members of the Canadian military, visiting forces and their family members
• transiting passenger

Please Contact Us for more information.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has put special measures in place to help you, if

• you’re a Chinese, Iranian or South Korean national; or
• you’re in China, Iran or South Korea; and
• you’re affected by service disruptions or travel restrictions related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Disruptions include the following:

• visa application centre closures
• service disruptions at Canadian visa offices
• travel plan disruptions
• limited access to local government offices and businesses
• limited access to a panel physician who can do the immigration medical exam

There is also help available if you need a permanent resident travel document to travel back to Canada.

If you’ve been approved for permanent residence

If your permanent residence application has been approved, but you can’t travel to Canada before your documents expire, use the web form to tell us why you can’t travel.

Once it’s possible for you to travel, use the web form to let us know. We’ll then give you more detailed instructions regarding restarting the processing of your permanent residence application.

If your confirmation of permanent residence has already expired

Use the web form to explain why you couldn’t travel.

Once it’s possible for you to travel, use the web form to let us know. We’ll then give you more detailed instructions regarding restarting the processing of your permanent residence application.

If you’re a Canadian citizenship applicant

If you can’t travel to Canada now, and you’ll miss a citizenship event or appointment, you must use the web form to tell us why. You must do this within 30 days of missing the event or appointment.

Citizenship events and appointments include

• the knowledge test
• a retest
• the interview
• a hearing
• taking the Oath of Citizenship

If you need to submit documents

Use the web form to let us know once you’ve returned from an affected country, and you’ll be given an additional 30 days to submit most required documents for your citizenship application. You’ll have an additional 45 days for medical opinion forms.

Physical presence requirement

Extra days spent in affected countries due to the virus will not count as days in Canada. Applicants must still meet the physical presence requirement.

If you’ve applied for temporary or permanent residence and are outside Canada

We won’t refuse your application if you cannot complete the next step due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This applies to applications for

• a visitor visa
• a work permit
• a study permit
• permanent residence

Examples of the next steps include

• submitting your passport or supporting documents, such as a police certificate
• completing an immigration medical examination
• giving your biometrics

No application in progress will be closed or refused due to a lack of documentation. We’ll automatically give you an extra 90 days to complete these steps. Once you’re able to, complete the steps as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Biometrics deadline

Even though your biometrics instruction letter says you must complete this step in 30 days, we’ll automatically give you 90 more days if you’re affected by the service disruptions. You will not need a new biometrics instruction letter.

Withdrawing your application

If you’re affected by the travel restrictions and want to withdraw your temporary residence application, use the web form

We’ll give you a refund if you withdraw your application within 24 hours of submitting, as long as processing has not started.

If you’re about to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry

You must submit your application within 60 calendar days of receiving your invitation to apply.

If you’re missing documents necessary for the completeness check because of disruptions related to the novel coronavirus (COVID 19), you can still submit your application.

• You must submit a letter explaining the reason why you’re missing documents. Your application will be held until further notice.

When you’re able, you can submit missing documents by using the web form.

If you need a visitor visa, study permit or work permit to travel to Canada urgently

China: special instructions for applicants

If you need a visitor visa, study permit or work permit to travel to Canada urgently due to exceptional circumstances, take the following steps:

• Apply online.
• After you apply, email the visa office in Beijing (beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca) to request urgent processing of your application. These applications will be processed on a case-by-case basis.
• If you’ve already applied for temporary residence, email the visa office in Beijing (beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca) to request urgent processing of your application. These applications will be processed on a case-by-case basis.

Iran: special instructions for applicants

If you need a visitor visa, study permit or work permit to travel to Canada urgently due to exceptional circumstances, you need to apply online.

After you apply, fill out a web form to explain your emergency and request urgent processing of your visa or permit application. To make sure request goes to the right office,

• Answer “No” when asked the question “Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada?”
• Complete the rest of the form.

South Korea: special instructions for applicants

If you need a visitor visa, study permit or work permit to travel to Canada urgently due to exceptional circumstances, you need to apply online.

After you apply, fill out a web form to explain your emergency and request urgent processing of your visa or permit application. To make sure your request goes to the right office,

• Answer “No” when asked the question “Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada?”
• Complete the rest of the form.

If you’re a permanent resident who needs to travel to Canada urgently

China: special instructions for applicants

If you need a permanent resident travel document to travel to Canada urgently due to exceptional circumstances, you need to email the visa office in Beijing (beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca) to request urgent processing of your application. You will need to submit your application to the visa office by courier.

Iran: special instructions for applicants

If you need a permanent resident travel document to travel to Canada, you need to submit a web form.

When you fill out the form,

• Answer “Yes” when asked the question “Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada?”
• Select “Turkey – Ankara” when asked to “Choose the visa office processing your application.”

If you need a permanent resident travel document to travel to Canada urgently due to exceptional circumstances, you need to email the visa office in Ankara, Turkey (ANKRA@international.gc.ca). You will need to submit your application to the visa office by courier.

South Korea: special instructions for applicants

If you need a permanent resident travel document to travel to Canada, you need to submit a web form.

When you fill out the form,

• Answer “Yes” when asked the question “Is your application being processed by an office outside Canada?”
• Select “Philippines – Manila” when asked to “Choose the visa office processing your application.”

If you need a permanent resident travel document to travel to Canada urgently due to exceptional circumstances, you need to email the visa office in Manila, Philippines (MANILIMMIGRATION@international.gc.ca). You will need to submit your application to the visa office by courier.

If you’re a temporary resident who is unable to leave Canada

If your status has not yet expired

You can apply online to extend your stay in Canada.

If you’re a visitor, you can apply to extend your stay in Canada.

If you are a worker or student, you have a few options:

If you’re no longer working or studying, you can

• apply to change your status to visitor, as long as your study or work permit has not expired
• find out how to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor
  • For more information, see Guide 5551 – Applying to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada – Online application.

If you want to continue working or studying, you may be able to extend your work permit or study permit if you’re eligible.

When you’re applying, make sure you include a note explaining the reason you need to extend your stay in Canada.

If your visitor record or study or work permit has already expired, and it’s been less than 90 days since your status expired

You can apply to restore your status.

To restore your status, use the document checklist and guide for extending your stay as one of the following:

• visitor
• student
• worker

When you complete the application form, make sure you do both of the following:

• Select Restore my status under section 3 at the top of the form.
• Include a note explaining the reason you need to extend your stay.
  • You must also pay the restoration fee.

If your temporary resident status is restored, you’ll receive a visitor record or appropriate permit, which will outline the conditions of your stay in Canada.

Your temporary resident status in Canada will be extended until a specified date.

If it has been more than 90 days since your status expired

You may be eligible to apply for a temporary resident permit.

With a temporary resident permit, you can remain in Canada with legal status.

When you apply, make sure you include a note explaining the reason you need to extend your stay.

Please Contact Us for more information.

Statement

Ottawa, March 2, 2020—The Honourable Marco E.L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, issued the following statement:

“Every year, millions of people apply to visit or immigrate to Canada to enjoy the many opportunities that our country has to offer.

“The vast majority of these applicants are genuine and wish to come to Canada in good faith. Unfortunately, there are some dishonest people who prey on these individuals, and the Government of Canada is committed to preventing applicants from becoming victims of fraud.

“It’s important to remember that no one can promise your application will be given special treatment or guarantee that it will be approved. All applications are assessed fairly and on the same merit.

“Hiring a representative or consultant to complete your application is not a requirement. All necessary application documents can be found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

“Should you decide to hire a representative, always ensure they are authorized to do business with the government.

“To prevent immigration fraud, we must all remain vigilant. Remember: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“March is Fraud Prevention Month. To find out about common types of immigration scams and where to report immigration fraud, visit Canada.ca/immigration-fraud.

“You can also follow IRCC’s social media accounts:

• www.facebook.com/CitCanada
• https://twitter.com/CitImmCanada
• www.instagram.com/CitImmCanada
• www.youtube.com/CitImmCanada

Please Contact Us for more information.