The Canadian government has now provided more information on the travel and border restrictions in light of the Coronavirus spread. On March 17, 2020 the Canadian border was closed to non-essential travel with some limited exemptions. To safeguard Canadian businesses and to ensure the proper flow of the supply chain in the country, Canada has made some additional exemptions to the standard immigration rules and regulations. Canada is yet to announce the date on which these specific exemptions take effect. We strongly suggest anyone with questions or concerns to call our offices to speak with our representatives.
WORKERS, STUDENTS & PERMANENT RESIDENTS
- all temporary foreign workers, including caregivers
- international students who hold a valid study permit or had been approved for a study permit when the travel restriction took effect on March 18, 2020. Those approved after this date are not exempt and should not travel to Canada.
- those who applied for permanent residence and who have been approved prior to the travel restrictions announced on March 16, 2020 but who have not yet travelled to Canada.
EXTENSIONS ON SOME WORK PERMITS
Individuals who hold a valid work permit in a low skill position will be able to extend their work permits for an additional (1) year. An application for an extension must be filed using the IRCC online application system.
ONLY 4 CANADIAN AIRPORTS OPEN
On March 18, 2020 the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the closure of all Canadian airports with exception to the following four (4). All air travel, with exception to flights originating from the United States, Mexico, Caribbean, and St-Pierre and Miquelon will be routed to these airports to help with the containment of the COVID-19 virus.
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Montreal-Pierre Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Immigration Canada has cancelled all inland landing interviews and will conduct interviews by phone. You will be contacted by IRCC if you had a scheduled landing interview.
- Biometrics offices are closed and are not providing services at this time. If you received a request to complete the step of biometrics, you will automatically be given 90 days to complete this step.
- Flag-polling is not permitted and is not encouraged.
- IELTS and CELPIP in-Canada testing centres are currently closed until further notice.
Our offices will remain open and we will continue to provide updates as necessary. We hope that you and your family stay safe during this difficult and unprecedented time.
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