Canada will continue to welcome newcomers, students despite COVID-19 menace

The Government of Canada has provided an update on the travel restrictions introduced by the country in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. As per a news release issued by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the foreign nationals already working, studying or committed to make the country their permanent home are exempted from the travel restrictions. The Canadian government would consider travel by these individuals as essential travel for land border restrictions. The exempted persons include:

• Seasonal agricultural workers, fish/seafood workers, caregivers and all other temporary foreign workers
• International students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020
• Permanent resident applicants who had been approved for permanent residence before the travel restrictions were announced on March 16, 2020, but who had not yet travelled to Canada

The news release says “Allowing foreign workers to enter Canada recognizes their vital importance to the Canadian economy, including food security for Canadians and the success of Canadian food producers.”
However, the news release reminds that those affected by these exemptions should not try to travel to Canada immediately. The government will announce when these exemptions come into effect, which will most likely be early next week.
All the travellers who come to Canada must follow the health screening protocols before travel and isolate for 14 days once they arrive.
Other exemptions imposed earlier will also continue, informed the news release. They include:

• Foreign nationals travelling at the invitation of the Canadian government for a purpose related to the containment of COVID-19
• Close family members of Canadian citizens
• Close family members of Canadian permanent residents
• A person who is authorized, in writing, by a consular officer of the Government of Canada to enter the country for the purpose of reuniting immediate family members
• A person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act
• Accredited diplomats and family members (including NATO, those under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, other organizations)

• Air crews
• Any foreign national, or group of foreign nationals, whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Minister of Public Safety
• Members of the Canadian military, visiting forces and their family members
• Transiting passengers

Canada continues to welcome new permanent residence to the country despite the COVID-19 menace. If you wish to migrate to Canada, this is the right time to start the preparations. Contact us for the best professional assistance for Canada migration.