Landing in Canada During COVID-19

In order to finish your application process for Canadian permanent residency, you need to land in Canada. However, with the border currently closed to non-essential travel, many foreign nationals are wondering how they can finalize their application for Canadian immigration while respecting COVID-related travel restrictions. Read on to learn more about your options for landing in Canada during COVID-19.

Your ability to travel to Canada will depend in large part on your current immigration status. You should know that 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, the Canadian government is asking that foreign nationals wait until they are able to obtain all supporting documents before submitting an application. 

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

Express Entry applicants now have 90 days to submit an application after receiving an invitation to apply (ITA).

If your application for permanent residency has been approved

If you’re outside of Canada:

Most foreign nationals will not be allowed to travel to Canada right now to complete their permanent residency application.

You may be allowed to enter Canada if you meet the following requirements:

• You have a valid COPR card that was issued on or before March 18, 2020
• You have a valid COPR card that was issued after March 18, 2020 and you have an immediate family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• If you are currently in the US and are coming to Canada directly

You must be coming to Canada to settle permanently, and you must demonstrate that you are able to quarantine for 14 days.

If you have a COPR but haven’t landed yet:

You should wait for instructions from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. You should not travel to Canada to validate your COPR at a port of entry as you will be denied entry.

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 all foreign nationals entering Canada to complete a 14-day quarantine period upon arrival. 

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.

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. 

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