Immigration Announcement
New updates for permanent residence applicants
The COVID-19 situation has forced the Government of Canada to implement new policies and regulations with connection to travel and immigration of new permanent residents to Canada. The immigration process during this global crisis can prove to be difficult for new permanent residents who want to know how they should proceed.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have released guidelines that should be followed by permanent residence applicants who are planning to arrive in Canada within the next few months so as to minimize the impact of the pandemic on their plans.
Things to note:
New applications from candidates interested in permanent residence are still being accepted. Incomplete files that have been submitted with all the necessary documentation will be retained for now and then reviewed anytime within 90 days.
It is important that candidates add an explanation if their new application does not have the supporting documentation. They should cite the service interruptions caused by the coronavirus-related travel restrictions as the reason for their inability to procure the necessary documentation. This explanation will play a key role in the application being promoted and evaluated within 90 days. All the applications will undergo processing in the order they are received.
The completed new applications submitted for permanent residence are being processed as usual. Principal applicants for permanent residents living in Canada who have dependents abroad might face delays in the processing of their applications. The principal applicant will not be given permanent residence in case the dependents cannot travel to Canada.
Applicants who have a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) or Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) and want to attain permanent residence should inform IRCC with the help of a Web form in case they cannot organize their trip before the expiry date of the document. The applicant’s specific circumstances will determine when their applications are processed.
