Ottawa, April 10, 2020—With the current travel restrictions in place, most foreign nationals are prevented from entering Canada, with some exemptions.
With these restrictions, Canada is suspending processing of non-essential visitor visa applications. This allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to focus resources on critical services. This suspension also applies to some electronic travel authorization (eTA) applications.
Processing of visa and eTA applications for those who qualify for an exemption to the travel restrictions will continue. This includes all temporary foreign worker applications, with a particular focus on essential services, such as those in medical fields and food supply chains.
The processing of study permits for students will continue in anticipation of the fall study term. IRCC will continue to process applications to the extent possible. Study permit applications require biometrics, and many visa application centres that normally provide this service are closed. As a special measure, due to COVID-19, applicants are now being given 90 days instead of the standard 30 days to give biometrics. It should be noted that only students with a study permit issued before March 18, 2020, can currently travel to Canada.
Workers, students and visitors (who qualify for an exemption to travel restrictions) must apply online.
Permanent residence applications continue to be processed. Only permanent residents who received approval before March 18, 2020, can currently travel to Canada.
IRCC will continue to provide updates on any further changes, including when the suspension of processing is lifted.
https://www.canada.ca/en/
Temporary foreign workers
All temporary foreign workers are exempt from travel restrictions and can travel to Canada by air or land if they’re coming for an essential purpose.
Find out how to apply for a work permit and what you need before you travel to Canada.
If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check conducted by airlines before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
You must have a plan to isolate when you arrive in Canada. If you do not have a plan, you will need to delay travel until you have one.