Impact of Covid-19 on Canada immigration

Starting from Wuhan city of China, the outbreak of Coronavirus Pandemic affected most countries in the world in the last couple of years. However, Canada immigration largely remains unaffected by this global pandemic.

No more Covid-19 Restrictions in Canada

Canada has removed all covid-19 restrictions now. Find below the timeline of all-recent announcements made by the government of Canada regarding the travel and immigration to Canada:

• Removal of all COVID-19 restrictions: Canadian government has announced the removal of all COVID-19 entry restrictions, along with the requirements of testing, quarantine, and isolation for anyone entering Canada, with effect from October 1, 2022.
• What is not required from October 2022- Starting 1 October 2022, all travellers regardless of citizenship will no longer have to:
• submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website;
• provide proof of vaccination;
• undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
• carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation;
• Monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.

Note: The Canadian government has resumed the direct flights to and from India and rest of the countries from September 2021. Now, all fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Canada. The IRCC has also eased various other travel and immigration measures taken earlier in wake of the Covid-19.

Few Reminders for Travelers to Canada

Although, Canada is removing all Covid-19 measures, however, it is expected that the travellers take some basic precautions measures keeping in mind the situation on their own, i.e.

• Although requirement mask is being lifted, all travellers are strongly suggested to wear high quality and well-fitted masks during their journeys.
• People are reminded that they should not travel if they have symptoms of COVID-19.
• If travellers become sick while travelling, and continue to be sick upon arriving in Canada, they should inform a flight attendant, cruise staff, or a border services officer upon arrival.
• These travellers will be referred to a quarantine officer, who will decide whether the traveller requires further medical assessment as COVID-19 remains one of many communicable diseases listed in the Quarantine Act.

Latest Canada travel and Immigration update

• No Pre-entry test required for fully vaccinated

With effect from April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers, entering Canada by land, air or water, no longer need to undergo the pre-entry test for Covid-19.

• Travel Updates for overseas students

To become eligible to enter Canada as an overseas student, you must fulfil three requirements:

• You need to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller unless you are a minor student (under the age of 18 years).
• You need to have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction showing you were approved for a study permit, unless you do not need one.
• You need to be attending a designated learning institution (DLI).

It is heartening to see the positive approach of the Canadian government or Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) towards immigration and the immigrants. Find below the critical Information/Articles/News/updates explaining the new updates as well as the impact of Covid-19 on Canada immigration along with few tips for Canada immigrant applicants for this period of "Social Distancing":

• 5 Things You Can Prepare For Canada Immigration Despite Covid-19 Disruption
• Is this the right time to apply for Canadian PR visa, Considering the Covid-19 Disarray?
• Is there any Impact of Covid-19 on Express Entry or PNP
• Orders in Council, Canada has Issued Latest Order on Travel Advisory

As an aspirant or applicant of Canada immigration, you must have many questions in your mind regarding the ongoing pandemic situation and impact of the same on the immigration and visa process. Here is the answer to most common questions regarding the impact of Covid-19 on Canada immigration.

FAQs Regarding Covid-19 Impact on Canada Immigration 

Canadian government or IRCC is took frequent measures and issued guidelines to contain the outbreak Covid-19 and fight the pandemic. However, despite issuing temporary travel restrictions few months back, the Canadian government continued to accept the applications and open the express entry/ PNP draws to issue invitations to apply (ITAs) to the candidates.

On this page, we have shared the latest immigration and travel guidelines issued by the Canadian government. Find below the answers of few Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Covid-19 Impact on Canada Immigration:

Is Canada still accepting the applications?

Yes. The Canadian government is accepting the applications through its federal and provincial nominee programs and issuing the Invitations to Apply (ITAs) and the candidates through its periodic draws. In fact, at no point Canadian government stopped accepting the PR applications.

Can I create a profile in the Express Entry system and get ITA?

Yes! You can still submit your profile in the federal Express Entry system and get an invitation to apply for Canadian PR through the EE system's periodic draws.

Who all can enter Canada as on date?

Now, all fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Canada. The IRCC has also eased various other travel and immigration measures taken earlier in wake of the Covid-19.

Are the Travel restrictions still active?

The Canadian government has resumed the direct flights to and from India and rest of the countries from September 2021. Now, all fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Canada.

Is Covid-19 test mandatory for all travellers to Canada?

With effect from April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers, entering Canada by land, air or water, no longer need to undergo the pre-entry test for Covid-19.  You must still use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.

Who qualifies as fully vaccinate traveller?

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must have received at least 14 calendar days prior to the day you travel:

• at least 2 doses of a vaccine accepted by the Government of Canada for the purpose of travel
• or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
• or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Latest List of Accepted vaccines by Canadian government

• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
• Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
• Medicago Covifenz

• Note to travellers: As of April 25, 2022, you’ll have the option to select this vaccine when submitting your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN

• Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273) including for children aged 6 to 11 years
• Novavax (NVX-COV2373, Nuvaxovid, Covovax)
• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2) including for children aged 5 to 11 years
• Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)
• Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

Can I travel to Canada if I have an expired COPR?

The candidates with expired COPR do not require sending the web forms anymore. The IRCC will contact such applicants, once IRCC approves them for Canadian PR visa.

Will Canada discontinue immigration?

Not at all. Instead, the Canadian government continues to allow the applicants to apply for Canada immigration. Moreover, the Canadian government has recently published its Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024. As per this plan, Canada will admit more than one million permanent residents by 2024. In the year 2022 itself, the Canadian government will accept 431,645 new immigrants and this target will keep on increasing year on year.

Can I apply through Express Entry and get ITA?

Of course. You can indeed create your Express Entry profile for Canadian PR. The Express Entry and provincial governments are also inviting the candidates through their periodic draws or invitation rounds.  I have received permanent residence approval; however, I cannot travel due to lockdown in my city or due to some other reason. What should I do? The IRCC will contact you in case your COPR has expired. You do not need to send the web form to IRCC anymore.

Keep visiting this page or Immigration News Section on Visas Avenue website for the latest immigration news and updates concerning Covid-19 impact on Canada immigration policies, rules and regulations. Moreover, if you have any query regarding current updates or need assistance to immigrate to Canada on Skilled visa, PR visa, visit visa, study visa, etc., you may contact Visas Avenue immigration expert on Toll-Free Number– 78-18-000-777. Moreover, to get your eligibility checked and subsequently, get a call back from our visa expert, you may fill the free assessment form. You may also send your queries to info@visasavneue.com.

Disclaimer– The source of information or FAQs shared on this page is the official website of Canada Immigration, i.e. www.canada.ca and the same is subject to change/update based on the latest or new guidelines, issued by the Government of Canada in this regard. To know the latest status of shared information, you may write to us at info@visasavenue.com.