What could be the future of Canadian immigration?

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a tough year. The coronavirus crisis has not spared anybody from its wrath.

Canada’s immigration system has suffered because of the pandemic since the country had to be shut down for a significant amount of time. Even immigrants themselves have been negatively affected by disruptions. They have faced difficulties when accessing credentialing services, language testing, biometrics, and other government services.

Immigration professionals across Canada have been putting in extra hours to amend all the policy and programming so that immigration can continue. The second half of 2020 will most likely have things looking up since the curve is slowly flattening in Canada. The situation might even normalise by 2021. Immigration candidates are already able to book and complete English language tests and sit for Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

What is Canada’s take?

The federal government and the Canadian immigration minister, Marco Mendicino, have continued to send positive messages and signals out into the world, assuring immigrants that they will be welcomed with open arms.

The federal government has introduced many flexible policies in order to help immigration candidates during this crisis. They are giving deadline extensions to candidates so they can submit their documentation without feeling the need to hurry. Candidates are not being rejected on the basis of incomplete applications. Mendicino has maintained that Canada will continue to welcome immigrants who can support the economy of the country throughout the crisis.

What about travel restrictions?

Canada is yet to lift its travel restrictions, whether it be for the United States or the rest of the world. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the country is unwilling to take a risk and will open its borders only when it is deemed safe to do so. Canada has exempted certain groups from the travel restrictions, but nobody knows at the moment when the rest of the people will be able to enter Canada.