What COVID-19 changed about Canada immigration for you

Are you still disappointed at the fate of the world since the COVID-19 pandemic struck? Are you finding your long-time overseas plans to study abroad or work overseas getting harder to achieve? If Canada is your destination of choice, here we are with a review of the effects that COVID-19 had on the country.

Since March 18, 2020, Canada has imposed travel restrictions at its borders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions and health regulation against the pandemic had a large impact on Canada immigration and the country’s economy.

Let’s examine how COVID-19 affected different sections of Canada.

Immigration applicants

As of November 21, 2020, the use of the ArriveCAN app for submitting COVID related info about the traveler has become mandatory. Through the app, the following information must be submitted before boarding the aircraft to Canada or at the Canadian border:

• Quarantine plan
• Contact and travel information
• Self-assessment results for COVID-19

Only people who are traveling to Canada for non-discretional, non-optional purposes are exempted from the travel restrictions.

Students, workers, and visitors

Students, workers, and visitors to Canada have now to put up with certain changes in the way things are done. These include:

• The applications are prioritized even for those who are eligible for arriving in Canada.
• The method of applying for visas have changed temporarily.
• The normal application processing system is no more in effect.
• The processing times cannot be committed to the applicant.

Landed permanent residents

Besides the use of ArriveCAN, travelers who have just immigrated to Canada or are Canada PR already must follow these instructions:

• They must follow all requirements stipulated by the airlines and also pass a health-check conducted by the airlines before boarding the flight.
• They must have a plan for quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in Canada.
• They must have a valid PR card or PRTD that must be produced before authorities upon arrival in Canada.

Canadians and citizenship applicants

• Owing to COVID-19, all in-person citizenship tests are canceled.
• Since April 1, 2020, applicants are invited to take the oath of Citizenship via video calls on Zoom.

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Note:

eTA - electronic Travel Authorization

PR – Permanent Resident

PRTD - Permanent Resident Travel Document