Impact of COVID-19 on Canadian Immigration Policies

The Government of Canada has provided an update on travel restrictions put in place to restrict the spread of COVID-19.
These Exemptions will apply to foreign nationals who have already been approved for work permit, study permit or permanent residence. 
Exemptions:
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 18, 2020, but who had not yet traveled to Canada
Health Screening Protocols:
Individuals will be subjected to health screening protocols before travel. In additions, they will be required to isolate themselves for 14 days upon their entrance in Canada.
Visitors:
In additions, others will be impacted in the following manner:
  • foreign nationals travelling 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 passengers
WATCH OUR WEBINAR ON IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CANADA’s VISA AND IMMIGRATION POLICIES

For more information and updates, interested parties should consult the website of the IRCC at www.canada.ca

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