Landing in Canada During COVID-19
In order to finish your application process for Canadian permanent residency, you need to land in Canada. As of June 21, 2021, applicants who have received Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) are exempt from travel restrictions and may land in Canada to confirm their status.
The Canadian government is still processing applications for Canadian permanent residency, however processing times may be longer than normal.
If you haven’t submitted your application yet
At this time, applicants must submit a complete application, including all requested supporting documents.
You may experience delays in obtaining certain documents due to COVID-19. If you are in the process of obtaining documents, you may submit proof such as a receipt and an accompanying letter explaining why you have been unable to acquire the necessary documents.
The Canadian government will currently accept language test results or educational credential assessments that are submitted electronically.
You should submit any outstanding documents as soon as you get them to avoid further delays.
Express Entry applicants
For much of the pandemic, Express Entry applicants had 90 days to submit an application after receiving an invitation to apply (ITA). This has since been reverted back to 60 days.
If your application for permanent residency has been approved
As of June 21, 2021, CoPR holders are exempt from Canadian travel restrictions.
If your CoPR has expired, do not travel to Canada. Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) must reissue a valid CoPR document before you are eligible to travel and confirm your status in Canada.
Mandatory quarantine period
When coming to Canada, it is important to consider your own health as well as that of others. For this reason, the Canadian government requires unvaccinated foreign nationals entering Canada to complete a 14-day quarantine period upon arrival.
If required to quarantine, you will need to demonstrate to Canadian border officials that you have a plan in place to complete this quarantine. If you do not, you will not be allowed to enter Canada.
If you are fully vaccinated, you may be eligible to bypass the quarantine requirement.
Working in Canada during COVID-19
While the Canadian economy is in the process of recovering, many are still struggling to regain employment. While Canada offers a host of newcomer services, some specifically tailored to finding work in Canada, it may still be difficult to find employment at this time.
Healthcare in Canada
Now more than ever, it is important to ensure that you have healthcare coverage. All Canadian citizens and permanent residents have access to their home province’s health insurance program. You must meet the residency requirements of your province. These requirements are different in each province, but in most cases you have to be physically present in the province for at least half of the year.
If you are a new arrival, you may not yet have access to Canadian healthcare coverage, and this could leave you vulnerable. You should consider this before planning your travel to Canada.
This has been one of the most challenging periods for Canadian immigration and foreign nationals interested in immigrating to Canada. It is especially important that you follow all protocols laid out by the federal government.
You can better your chances of successfully immigrating to Canada by hiring industry experts who can guide you through the process.
While immigrating to Canada may be difficult, it is not impossible. With our help, you can significantly increase the odds of obtaining your Canadian permanent residency.
Contact us today at [email protected] and find out how we can help to get you to Canada ASAP.
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