The Bulletin 669 has expired on March 15, 2020 and has been replaced by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Program delivery instructions. The salient features of the new program delivery instructions for PR, TRV, and citizenship applications are as follows:
• No application will be refused due to non-compliance of missing documents.
• All additional documentation requests will by default have an additional 90 days to comply, if the applicant was unable to meet the initial deadline.
• The biometric instruction letter (BIL) will be issued as usual for 30 days, however officers will allow 90 days to the applicant to comply with it.
• If your PR application has been approved, and you are unable to travel to Canada, you can inform IRCC by submitting a web form. A note will be placed in your application. If at a later date, you notify that you can travel before the expiry of your COPR and PR visa, you can use the same COPR and PR visa.
• For applicants who were unable to travel to Canada, and their COPR and PR visa have expired and if the applicant informed IRCC via the web form that they were unable to travel after the expiration of their COPR and PRV, or if they were unable to travel prior to expiration, their applications will be re-opened and re-assessed in 90 days. Once the applicant informs IRCC via the web form that they are able to travel, a re-opened application may be re-approved provided that the applicant and their family members, whether accompanying or not, have valid immigration medical examinations, criminal and security checks and passports.
• Foreign nationals who are in Canada and whose temporary resident status may soon expire may apply for an extension so that they may maintain their temporary resident status in Canada. There is no fee waiver for any temporary residence applications or extensions. Foreign nationals who have an extension application currently in progress will benefit from implied status and may remain in Canada until a decision is rendered on their application; therefore, expedited processing is not required. Foreign nationals whose temporary resident status has expired may apply for restoration.
General Processing
1. Applications for permanent resident visas, citizenship, temporary resident visas will not be refused for non-compliance, and all applications currently in progress at IRCC offices abroad, at case processing centres and within the Domestic Network will continue to be processed but may experience delays.
2. Some offices across the globe will be closed.
3. IRCC has stopped expedited processing of all applications as no significant expedited processing requirement is foreseen. However, the decision to expedite an application due to special circumstances remains at the discretion of the Migration Program Manager of the responsible IRCC office and the manager of the responsible processing office in Canada.
4. Offices will continue to request additional documentation to process applications. These include police certificates, biometrics, passports, medical examinations and any documents that must be issued by Chinese, Iranian or South Korean authorities. The processing for additional documentation will be as follows:
- When additional documentation is required to make a decision on the application, processing officers should send a request letter and allow 90 days for the applicant to respond.
- If a request for additional documentation was previously sent but the applicant was unable to comply within the deadline, processing officers should bring forward the application and allow an additional 90 days for the applicant to respond.
- Please note that the biometric instruction letter (BIL) cannot be amended and will continue to advise applicants that they have 30 days from the date of the letter to give their biometrics. Officers should still allow 90 days for the applicant to provide their biometrics, despite the 30-day timeline identified in the BIL.
Permanent Resident Applications
1. Intake of new PR applications will continue as usual. New, complete permanent residence applications under section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) will be processed as per normal procedures.
2. Completeness Check: If a new application is missing supporting documentation (associated fees are required), the applicant should include an explanation with their application that they are affected by the service disruptions as a result of the novel coronavirus. The application may then promoted in the GCMS and reviewed in 90 days. If the application is still incomplete in 60 days, officers should request the missing documents with an additional 90-day deadline.
3. Travel documents
- CHINA: Permanent residents who may require a permanent resident travel document to return to Canada should contact the VAC Contact Centre for additional instructions. Applicants requesting urgent travel outside of China should be directed to contact IRCC Beijing in exceptional cases only (email). Permanent residents are being asked to submit their PRTD applications directly to the embassy by commercial courier.
- IRAN: Permanent residents who may require a PRTD to return to Canada should contact IRCC via the web form. Clients outside Canada should select “Yes” in response to the question, “Is your application being processed by an office OUTSIDE Canada?” and then select “Turkey – Ankara” as the visa office processing their application. Applicants requesting urgent travel outside of Iran should be directed to contact IRCC Ankara in exceptional cases only (email). Permanent residents are being asked to submit applications directly to the embassy by courier.
- SOUTH KOREA: Permanent residents who may require a PRTD to return to Canada should contact IRCC via the web form. Clients outside Canada should select “Yes” in response to the question, “Is your application being processed by an office OUTSIDE Canada?” and then select “Philippines – Manila” as the visa office processing their application. Applicants requesting urgent travel outside of South Korea should be directed to contact IRCC Manila in exceptional cases only (email). Permanent residents are being asked to submit applications directly to the embassy by courier.
4. Approved Permanent Resident applications
Permanent residence applicants who are in possession of a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and permanent resident visa (PRV) and inform us, by submitting a web form to IRCC, that they are unable to travel within the validity of their documentation should be processed as follows:
- Valid COPR and PRV:
In an effort to reduce the number of cancelled COPRs and PRVs, IRCC will place a note in your file explaining that the applicant is unable to travel, and the file should be brought forward to the expiration date of the COPR and PRV. If the applicant informs IRCC that they can travel prior to the COPR and PRV expiration, they are encouraged to use their existing COPR and PRV to land. - Expired COPR and PRV: If the applicant informs IRCC via the web form that they were unable to travel after the expiration of their COPR and PRV, or if they were unable to travel prior to expiration, officers are instructed to re-open the application, and it should be brought forward for review in 90 days. once the applicant informs IRCC via the web form that they are able to travel, a re-opened application may be re-approved provided that the applicant and their family members, whether accompanying or not, have valid immigration medical examinations, criminal and security checks and passports.
- Processing of re-opened applications: Approved applications can be re-opened in GCMS by cancelling the COPR and PRV and removing the final decision. Once the applicant informs IRCC via the web form that they are able to travel, a re-opened application may be re-approved provided that the applicant and their family members, whether accompanying or not, have valid immigration medical examinations, criminal and security checks and passports. If the 60-day waiting period elapses and the applicant has not informed us that they are able to travel, a note should be placed in the application, and it should be brought forward for review for an additional 60 days.
Temporary Resident Applications
1. The TRV visa applications will continue to be processed and can be submitted online.
2. Urgent applications for temporary residence are to be actioned by IRCC offices in
- China
- Hong Kong
- Ankara
- Manila (processing office for South Korea)
CHINA: Temporary residence applicants in China who have an urgent travel request are asked to submit an online application and then flag the application to IRCC Beijing for urgent processing at [email protected]. These applications will be addressed on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the migration officer.
IRAN: Temporary residence applicants in Iran who have an urgent travel request are asked to submit an online application and then flag the application to IRCC using the web form for urgent processing. Clients should select “No” in response to the question, “Is your application being processed by an office OUTSIDE Canada?” and then complete the enquiry form.
SOUTH KOREA: Temporary resident applicants in South Korea who have an urgent travel request are asked to submit an online application and then flag the application to IRCC using the web form for urgent processing. Clients should select “No” in response to the question, “Is your application being processed by an office OUTSIDE Canada?” and then complete the enquiry form.
Migration program managers have the delegation to waive biometrics overseas for urgent or humanitarian and compassionate reasons if and when deemed necessary.
3. Withdrawal of temporary residence applications: If an applicant wishes to withdraw their temporary residence application and is residing in an area where travel restrictions are imposed, regular processes for withdrawal requests should be followed.
4.Foreign nationals who are in Canada and whose temporary resident status may soon expire may apply for an extension so that they may maintain their temporary resident status in Canada. As per current guidelines, applicants must apply online and must meet all requirements, including associated fees. Foreign nationals who have an extension application currently in progress will benefit from implied status and may remain in Canada until a decision is rendered on their application; therefore, expedited processing is not required.
5. Foreign nationals whose temporary resident status has expired may apply for restoration.
If the applicant is eligible for restoration
- The officer proceeds with the assessment of the application (medical results, bona fides, etc.).
- If all other requirements are met, the officer issues a visitor record (or appropriate permit) outlining the conditions for the restoration of status. The document is mailed to the client.
If the applicant is not eligible for restoration
- The Minister’s delegate decides on a disposition for the case. The following options are available:
- refer the case to an admissibility hearing
- issue a departure order
- allow the foreign national to remain
