Canada Still Processing Visa, ETA, Study Permits, And Immigration Applications
Canada’s Immigration Ministry says it will continue to process visas, electronic travel authorization (eTA), and immigration applications for those who are exempted from travel restrictions, with a particular focus on foreign worker applications related to essential health services and food supply chain services.
In an announcements made on April 10, 2020, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also stated that study permit application will continue to be processed “to the extent possible” ahead of the fall academic session.
Study permit applicants now have Ninety (90) days instead of the usual thirty (30) days to provide biometric data. Many visa application centres that provide this service are temporarily closed, as a special measures, due to the COVID-19.
Only foreign students with a study permits issued before travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020, are presently allowed to travel to Canada.
Applications for Canadian permanent residence continue to be processed as well. But, only permanent residents who have been approved prior March 16, 2020, can travel to Canada at the moment.
Current travel restriction have caused the suspension of processing of non-essential visitors visa applications, which Canada says will allow resources to be allocated and concentrated on essential service.
The global spread of coronavirus has led to the introduction of new immigration measures affecting foreign citizens, particularly temporary workers, their families and foreign students.
Despite these recent developments, Immigration Refugees and Citizens Canada has announced a significant number of exemption and has repeatedly said that it will continue to process application submitted under its various immigration program.
Workers, visitors, and students, who are eligible for an exemption to travel restriction, are being asked to apply online.
International students who hold a valid study permit, or had been approved for a student visa, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020.
Permanent resident candidates who had been approved for permanent residence before the travel ban was announced on March 18, 2020, but who had not yet come to Canada.
