From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
These program delivery instructions align with the Ministerial Instructions (MIs) that are in effect from October 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. While processing, to the extent possible, will continue for temporary resident visa (TRV) applications, intake has been limited, until further notice, to applications submitted online. Information about the new cohorts of applicants who are exempt from the requirement to submit a TRV application using electronic means can be found at Temporary residence: COVID-19 program delivery.
Applications will continue to be prioritized for those who are eligible to travel based on the current travel restrictions; this includes both new applications and applications that are currently in progress. TRV application fees still apply.
Important
Even if an applicant meets the travel restrictions exemption criteria and establishes they are travelling for a non-discretionary/non-optional purpose, they must continue to meet all the usual eligibility and admissibility requirements in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to be approved.
Applications submitted prior to the travel restrictions will not be prioritized unless the applicant contacts IRCC at IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca to indicate how they meet the exemption criteria, why they are travelling for a non-discretionary/non-optional purpose, and provide acceptable documentation.
While the priority is to continue processing applications where the client meets a travel restriction exemption and has established that they are travelling for a non-discretionary purpose, non-priority TRV applications can continue to be processed, and approved or refused, pursuant to regular TRV processing. English and French push notification emails will be sent to approved TRV applicants advising them that despite their approval, travel restrictions remain in place, and that for most, now is not the time to travel to Canada.
