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:
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.