IMPACT – HIGH

Canada has implemented a policy of requiring anyone boarding international flights for Canada to provide negative COVID-19 test results before they can board their plane.

Key Points:

  • The policy took effect on Jan. 7 and applies to air travelers five years of age and older, including Canadian citizens.
  • The test results must be from a PCR or LAMP COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the traveler’s departure for Canada, with some limited temporary exceptions.
  • Air travelers must submit information about their travel and contact information, and quarantine plan (unless exempt) via the ArriveCAN app or website; those entering Canada by land or sea are strongly encouraged to submit their travel information by ArriveCAN to speed up processing at the border.
  • All travelers must also complete a mandatory 14-day isolation period after entry to Canada, including daily symptom self-assessment reporting via ArriveCAN, unless exempted from quarantine.
  • For now, the pre-travel negative COVID test policy does not apply to land ports of entry.

Background: At this time, travel to Canada continues to be restricted. Most non-essential travel is not allowed.

Analysis & Comments: The change adds to the time it takes to plan air travel to Canada. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

 

 

IMPACT – HIGH

The Canadian government has announced that all travelers over the age of five years old will be required to show negative COVID-19 test results as well as complete a mandatory quarantine.

Key Points:

  • Beginning today, Jan. 7, all travelers over the age of five, including Canadian citizens, who are arriving from another country will need to provide negative COVID-19 test results in order to gain entry.
  • The test results must be from a PCR or LAMP COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the traveler’s departure for Canada, with some limited temporary exceptions.
  • All travelers must also complete a mandatory 14-day isolation period upon arrival.
  • All travelers must submit information about their quarantine location via the ArriveCAN app or website.

Background: At this time, travel to Canada continues to be restricted. Most non-essential travel is not allowed.

Analysis & Comments: The change will add to the time it takes to plan travel to Canada. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

​​​IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Officials have opened two temporary Visa Application Centres (VACs) in the United States to assist with biometrics collection.

What does the change mean? The additional VACs opened in Seattle and San Francisco. They will only collect biometric information for applicants, and were opened to help reduce pandemic-related delays in the applications process.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing. The VACs opened on Nov. 23 and will remain open for one year.
  • Visas/permits affected: All ongoing or new visitor visas, work or study permits, permanent residence and refugee or asylum applications.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals attempting to apply for Canadian visas or permits in the United States.
  • Impact on processing: The additional VACs were opened with the intent to assist with and speed up the submission of biometric information that has been delayed because of VAC and Application Support Center (ASC) closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Business impact: Employees and employers can contact the temporary VACs about biometric information. All other VAC requests can be handled by the VACs in Los Angeles and New York.

Additional Information: The Canadian government has reassured applicants worldwide that their application won’t be disqualified if the applicant cannot give their biometric information because of  COVID-19 closures. More information is available here.

Analysis & Comments: The change should help ease demand for biometrics collection for Canadian visa and permit applicants in the United States. Applicants in the U.S. who have a Biometric Instruction Letter can make biometric appointments at any of the four VAC locations or 131 ASCs in the United States.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The government of Canada released its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan, announcing plans for the biggest increase in Canadian history over the next three years.

What does the change mean? Canada plans to welcome more than 1.2 million new permanent residents over the next three years, with some 723,500 economic migrants making up the bulk of that total.

  • Implementation time frame: 2021-2023.
  • Visas/permits affected: Permanent residence permits.
  • Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals interested in Canadian permanent residence.
  • Impact on processing times: The processing of permanent residence permits has been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Delays could continue into 2021 although IRCC is committed to meeting these targets through enhanced program delivery.
  • Business impact: This increase would widen the labor pool, as many of these applicants would be high-skilled workers.

Background: The Immigration Levels Plan outlines the number of new permanent residents Canada will accept over the next three years.

Year New Permanent Residents
2021 401,000
2022 411,000
2023 421,000

It also details how many immigrants in each of Canada’s different immigration categories would be welcomed:

Category 2021 2022 2023
Economic 232,500 241,500 249,500
Family 103,500 103,500 104,500
Refugee 59,500 60,500 61,000
Humanitarian/Compassionate 5,500 5,500 6,000

 Officials also have set an additional target to increase Francophone immigration to 4.4% of the total number of immigration outside of Quebec. For a more detailed breakdown of Canada’s projections of the different immigration categories, visit this website.

Analysis & Comments: The move to increase the number of permanent residents is a leading indicator of Canada’s commitment that immigration is an essential component of its economic and cultural diversity strategies.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Canadian government will award additional points to French-speaking and bilingual applicants applying for permanent residence through Canada’s Express Entry system.

Key Points:

  • French-speaking Express Entry applicants will be awarded 25 points compared to the previous 15; bilingual candidates will be awarded 50 points compared to the previous 30.
  • Canada first additional points to Express Entry applicants with strong French language skills in 2017. The additional points builds on Canada’s efforts to bring more French speakers to the country and is meant to help the country meet its goal of having 4.4% French-speaking immigrant admissions outside Quebec by 2023.
  • Canada began awarding the additional Express Entry points on Oct. 20, 2020. Individuals who already have an Express Entry profile will have the additional points they are entitled to awarded automatically.

Background: The Express Entry system prioritizes permanent residence candidates in four skilled migration programs—Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program—on a points system that considers such factors as current job offer, education, skills, work experience and age, among others. Candidates who meet a points threshold set in regular Express Entry draws are invited to apply for permanent residence.

Analysis & Comments: The change will give French speakers a slight boost in the Express Entry system and may help Canada accelerate its goal of bringing more French speakers to provinces other than Quebec.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Canadian government has announced that it will implement new COVID-19 entry protocols beginning later this month.

Key Points:

  • Starting Nov. 21, individuals entering Canada via air, land or water ports of entry will be required to provide a quarantine plan, contact details and travel information through the ArriveCAN Individuals who travel by air must submit the information before boarding their flight to Canada.
  • Border officers will ask to see an ArriveCAN receipt when entering Canada.
  • Within 48 hours of entering Canada, travelers must provide confirmation of arrival to their place of quarantine via the app or by calling the toll-free number 1-833-641-0343. Travelers in quarantine must complete a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment every day throughout their entire quarantine.
  • Travelers who use the telephone option will not be able to use the ArriveCAN app option later.
  • Only travelers exempted under the Mandatory Isolation Order do not need to meet these requirements.
  • Travelers who forego this requirement should expect follow-up by law enforcement.

Background: The ArriveCAN app was introduced in April 2020 to facilitate COVID-19 information and entry requirements to travelers.

Analysis & Comments: Although submitting this information is not required until Nov. 21, the government is encouraging travelers to start using the ArriveCAN app immediately to speed up entry wait times. Please also note that ArriveCAN does not track or monitor traveler movements. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and additional information will provided as it becomes available.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Canadian government continues to accept and process permanent residence applications but says its ability to process applications is being hampered by COVID-19. Delays should be expected.

Key Points:

  • The government says it is unable to process applications normally or provide estimate processing times due to COVID-19.
  • Immigration officials are prioritizing applications from Canadians and permanent residents returning to the country, vulnerable groups and those providing or supporting essential services workers.
  • Applications in progress will not be closed or refused if the applicant is unable to provide missing documents because of COVID-19.
  • Individuals residing outside of Canada who have received Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) but have not yet landed in Canada are not eligible to land unless they are exempt from current travel restrictions, coming to Canada to settle permanently and are able to quarantine for 14 days after arrival.
  • In-person permanent resident landing appointments in Canada are canceled until further notice because of COVID-19. IRCC will provide further instructions to affected individuals.
  • If the COPR and permanent resident visa expire before the individual is able to travel to Canada, the individual should notify IRCC of their date to move to Canada permanently using the Web Form. IRCC will provide further instructions at that point.

Background: Travel to Canada is restricted at this time. Only travelers who are considered essential or have exemptions will be granted entry.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

 

 

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Foreign nationals traveling to Canada may now ask for partial exemption from mandatory quarantine requirements for compassionate reasons.

Key Points:

  • A limited release from quarantine may be granted for the following compassionate reasons.
    • A need to be with a loved one for the final moments of life.
    • An individual providing care for a person who requires medical support or is critically ill.
    • An individual wishes to attend a funeral or end-of-life ceremony.
  • Foreign nationals wanting a compassionate exemption must fill out an application, and provide documentation such as a burial permit, a death certificate, a Letter of Required Support or a medical certificate of death.
  • If approved, the limited release from quarantine will give the foreign national permission to visit hospitals, funeral homes or a care facility. However, the individual must obtain permission from the location they will be visiting by completing a Site Visit Authorization application.
  • Additionally, the individual must obtain a quarantine exemption from the specific province they will visit. It is important to note that not all provinces allow quarantine exemptions, even if the federal government has approved it.

Background: All travelers entering Canada must quarantine for 14 days, except those with limited exemptions.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Canadian government has issued guidance for foreign nationals who want to reunite with a Canadian family member or partner.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals trying to reunite with an immediate family member in Canada do not need written authorization from the government. They must meet all traveling requirements, including a 14-day quarantine requirement once they arrive in Canada. Immediate family members are defined as spouse or common-law partner, dependent children of the person or the person’s spouse or common-law partner, any dependent children of a dependent child, parents or step-parents, parents or step-parents of the spouse or common-law partner, guardians or tutors.
  • Foreign nationals must present one document showing their immediate family member’s status as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. They must show a second document proving their relationship to that family member, such as a marriage certificate, proof of common-law status, a birth certificate, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
  • Foreign nationals who are in an exclusive dating relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must have dated them for at least one year and have spent time in their physical presence in order to be eligible for travel to Canada with their dependent children.
  • Siblings and half-siblings of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are also eligible to reunite with their family members under the extended family member category.
  • The following requirements apply to foreign nationals seeking to reunite with a dating partner or extended family member:
    • The Canadian citizen or permanent resident must fill out the application for authorization and statutory declaration form. The form needs to be signed by the foreign national and returned to the Canadian citizen/resident.
    • The signed form must be authorized as a solemn declaration by a commissioner for oaths, justice of the peace, lawyer or notary public.
    • A copy of the completed form must be submitted by the foreign national to the Canadian government in order to receive written authorization before travel.
    • The foreign national must carry a copy of the application for authorization and statutory declaration and the written authorization when they travel. Travel to Canada must take place within six months of the form being signed by solemn declaration.

Background: Non-essential travel to Canada has been banned since March. Additional guidance for foreign nationals wishing to travel to Canada to be reunited with a Canadian citizen or resident is available here.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.

 

 

IMPACT – HIGH

Canada has implemented a temporary policy that allows certain visitors to apply for an employer-specific work permit without having to leave the country.

Key points:

  • In order to be eligible for a new employer-specific work permit, applicants must:
    • Have a valid visitor status in Canada on the day they apply (visitors include super visa holders, business visitors and those who entered Canada through the Global Skills Strategy work permit exemption);
    • Have been in Canada on Aug. 24 and remained in Canada;
    • Have a job offer;
    • Submit an application no later than March 31, 2021, for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt job offer; and
    • Meet all other standard admissibility criteria.
  • Applicants who meet these requirements who also had a valid work permit in the last 12 months are allowed to start working for the new employer before their work permit application has been fully approved. Instructions for this process are here.
  • Foreign nationals arriving as visitors after Aug. 24 are not eligible.

Analysis & Comments: The new policy is intended to support employers in Canada seeking workers and help temporary residents find jobs. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.