To contain the spread of COVID-19 (Corona Virus), Canada has put a variety of special immigration measures in place. Despite these measures, Canada continues to accept immigration applications, hold Express Entry draws, and issue invitations to apply for permanent residence.

Yousefi Immigration Services will update this page as more information becomes available.

Canada still accepting applications despite travel restrictions

While Canada has imposed travel restrictions, candidates are still welcome to submit Express Entry profiles as well as their permanent and temporary residence applications. Canada continues to hold Express Entry draws and issue invitations to apply for permanent residence. Canada is also being more flexible in processing applications by providing candidates with more time to obtain and submit their documentation in case candidates are being affected by COVID-19 disruptions.

Who can come to Canada during a coronavirus pandemic?

- Canadian citizens
- Permanent residents
- Immediate family of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, grandchildren, parent or step-parent, and guardian or tutor)
- Permanent resident applicants who were approved for permanent residence before Canada announced its travel restrictions on March 16, 2020, but who had not yet traveled to Canada
- Temporary foreign workers
- International students who held a valid study permit or who had been approved for a study permit when Canada’s travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020

Canada’s travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020, and end on June 30, 2020, at noon EDT.

Airline companies must screen passengers for coronavirus symptoms

Airline companies will be responsible for screening the health of individuals before they board a plane to Canada. Airlines have been instructed to prevent individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms from flying to Canada.

Canada has issued a statement indicating that passengers who display a fever of over 38°C, a cough, or breathing difficulties may be denied from boarding a plane unless they have a medical certificate that confirms the symptoms are not due to COVID-19.

Four Canadian airports open to international travel

Effective March 18, 2020, only four Canadian airports will be open to international travel:

- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Montreal-Pierre Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Flights arriving from the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon are excluded from this measure.

- People who can travel to Canada are listed here
- Express Entry draws continue and federal and provincial governments continue to issue invitations to apply for permanent residence
- Starting March 16th, all in-person landing appointments are canceled and will be held by telephone. IRCC will contact you by email to let you know when your new telephone appointment will be.
- Biometrics deadline extended to 90 days, rather than 30. There will be 90-day extensions for additional document requests on open applications.
- It is mandatory for those entering Canada to self-isolate for 14 days.
- The travel restrictions are in place until June 30, 2020, at noon EDT.
- The measures do not apply to trade or business.

For more information, contact us.