Canada takes special measures for countries affected by Coronavirus

Canada is taking special measures to accommodate visa applicants from countries like China,s South Korea and Iran affected by Coronavirus. The Coronavirus pandemic is causing travel and service disruptions worldwide.

Candidates from these countries who had applied for Canadian Visas would be given more time to complete the necessary procedures. Since these countries are the worst affected by Coronavirus, candidates from these countries may not be able to fulfil all requirements.

IRCC had first extended these special measures to China on 7^th February and then extended it to include Iran and South Korea on 29^th February.

According to the IRCC website, the following applicants would be able to avail the new measures:

• Citizens of China, South Korea and Iran
• People currently living in China, South Korea and Iran
• People affected by travel restrictions or service disruptions due to Coronavirus

Disruptions could be any one of the following:

• Closure of visa application centres
• Service disruptions
• Limited or restricted access to local Govt. offices and businesses
• Limited access to a panel doctor for the immigration medical exam

Canada will also extend help to those who need a permanent resident travel permit to return to Canada. IRCC will also accept incomplete visa applications from candidates applying for Canadian Permanent Residence, Work Permit, Visitor Visa or Study Permit.

The IRCC website stated that applications would not be rejected or closed due to lack of sufficient documents. Applicants would be given 90 days extra time to complete the documentation.

Candidates will also be given 90 days extra time to complete the biometrics. Even though the IRCC letter might say 30 days, applicants would be given 90 days to do the same. There is no need for a new letter from IRCC stating the same.

Permanent Residence applicants

Ideally, candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply through the Express Entry system need to submit a PR application within 60 days. However, IRCC now says that it will accept incomplete applications due to the Coronavirus service disruptions. Applicants must send a letter to IRCC stating why certain documents are missing. IRCC will hold the application of such candidates until further notice.

Applicants can use the IRCC online web form to submit the missing documentation at a later date. Applicants can also use the IRCC online web form to withdraw their application. If you withdraw your application within 24 hours of submission, IRCC will issue you a refund, provided the processing has not yet started.

Canadian citizenship applicants

Applicants who miss any important date in their citizenship application process must inform the IRCC within 30 days of missing the appointment. You can use the online web form to submit documents to the IRCC if you have returned from a country affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Applicants will get 30 days extra time to submit documents and 45 days to submit medical opinion forms.

Citizenship applicants must meet continuous residency requirements. Applicants must have lived in Canada for at least three years in the recent five years prior to applying for Canadian citizenship.

PR Visa holders restricted from travelling to Canada

If your PR Visa has been approved, but you have been restricted from travelling to Canada, you must inform the IRCC through the online web form. This is also applicable to those whose PR Visas have already expired.

Temporary Visa holders unable to leave Canada

If you are in Canada on a Visitor Visa and are unable to leave, you may apply to extend your Visitor Visa. Those who are on a Student Visa or Work Visa nearing expiry may also change their Visa status to “Visitor”, provided their Visas are still valid. Eligible applicants may also be able to extend their Work or Student Visas.

Country-wise special instructions

China

If you need a Permanent Resident travel document to travel to Canada urgently, you must email the Canadian Visa office in Beijing, China at beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca. You have to submit the visa application by courier to the Beijing office.

For Visitor Visas, Work Visas or Student Visas, you must apply online. You can request for urgent processing by emailing beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca. Canada will handle the applications on a case-to-case basis.

Iran

If you are a Permanent Resident in need of a Permanent Resident travel document, you can write to the IRCC through the online web form. You have to choose the visa office as Turkey-Ankara. For urgent processing, you may write to ANKRA@international.gc.ca. You will have to courier your visa application to the Ankara office.

However, for a Visitor, Work or Study Visa, you need to apply at the government website. Say no to “Is your application being processed outside of Canada?”

South Korea

If you are a Permanent Resident in need of a Permanent Resident travel document, you can write to the IRCC through the online web form. You have to choose the visa office as Philippines-Manila. For urgent processing, send an email to MANILIMMIGRATION@international.gc.ca. Courier the visa application to the Manila office.

For a Visitor, Canada Work Permit Visa or Study Visa, you need to apply at the government website. Say no to “Is your application being processed outside of Canada?”

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