Latest Express Entry Insights: What to expect in 2021

The Canadian government decided to ramp up its immigration efforts to help the country’s economy find its feet again after the coronavirus pandemic triggered a global economic slowdown in 2020. The pandemic has had an adverse impact on the country’s immigration plans but Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has decided to counter the economic challenges posed by the pandemic by revising the intake limits of its various immigration programs, welcoming in an increased number of immigrants in the next three years.

Highest Number of Invitations to Apply in 2020

In 2020 Canada witnessed a dip in its student admission levels and numbers as factors such as travel restrictions, lockdowns and an overall environment of uncertainty induced by the pandemic deterred applicants. Nevertheless, the IRCC performed with admirable efficiency in the testing circumstances and turned even a challenging year like 2020 into a record-breaking year. The IRCC held a total of 10 more invitation rounds in 2020, than it had in the preceding year and handed out more than 4,200 ITAs (Invitation to Apply) in every draw from September onwards, breaching the 5,000 mark towards the end of the year.

CRS Cut-Off Lowered Dramatically

The CRS cut-off scores were significantly lower at the backend of last year evidenced by the all-program CRS cut-off score of 468; the lowest all-program cut-off requirement since October 2019.The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the grading system through which the IRCC decides whether to invite an applicant to become a Permanent Resident of Canada or not. 

2020 also reflected a sharp decline in the CRS cut-off requirements of specific programs. The Canadian Experience Class program is one of the most popular immigration programs in the country through which skilled and experienced professionals, who have relevant work Canadian work experience of one year or more, can apply for permanent residency. In June, the cut-off score for a CEC (Canadian Experience Class) draw was just 431; the lowest CEC cut-off score since 2017.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program specific draw had a CRS cut-off score of 415; the lowest CRS cut-off score of the entire year. 

A positive aspect from an otherwise difficult year was the fact that even in the face of a global pandemic the Canadian government kept its major immigration programs such as the Express Entry immigration program as well as the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) running and functional, reflecting the current administration’s consistent and continuous commitment to welcome in immi-grants in a bid to boost the country’s economy and diversity.

More Than 400,000 Immigrants Expected in 2021

Looking at the recently unveiled ‘Immigration Levels’ Plan for the period 2021-2023, one may notice that Canada has set a lofty immigration target for 2021. The country hopes to welcome in more than 401,000 immigrants; a significant hike from 2020’s target of 351,000. The invention and approval of COVID-19 vaccines is seen as a major reason for the IRCC’s optimism. 

The IRCC plans to strategically increase the immigration intake levels in the following years with 2022 and 2023 set to welcome in 411,000 and 421,000 immigrants respectively. The Express Entry allocations have also been revised in accordance, with Express Entry in 2021 set to welcome in roughly 108,500 immigrants. The immigration target via Express Entry for the year 2023 stands at 113,750.

Some experts and analysts however, seem to suggest that the target set for Canada immigration in 2021 might be too ambitious considering the fact that the coronavirus pandemic still continues to exert some influence on the country’s travel and immigration policies; such as its decision to keep the 14-day mandatory quarantine and mandatory COVID-19 negative test in place.

Get Set for Larger Express Entry Draws

But Express Entry applicants have other reasons to remain hopeful and optimistic as Express Entry predictions from reputable sources suggest that in order to try and meet the immigration targets for the year, the IRCC would be roughly inviting 4,500+ candidates in every draw. This is also looked upon as an effort to compensate for the number of immigrants who couldn’t arrive into the country due to the pandemic.

The early indicators are positive for Canada immigration in 2021 as the IRCC has already held three Express Entry draws so far in 2021; with the latest one occurring on 20th January. Canada has already issued more ITAs in 2021 than it had by the same time last year, with the current figure standing at 5,374; and this figure is set to increase significantly once the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw is carried out later in the month. 

The latest round was a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw wherein 374 PNP candidates were invited. The cut-off score was just 741, a significant drop-off from the last round’s cut-off of 813 points, which means that the candidates need to secure just 141 CRS points, as receiving a provin-cial nomination from a Canadian province guarantees an individual 600 CRS points. The Provincial Nominee Program is another major avenue through which Canada allows skilled individuals to im-migrate to Canada, and receiving a Provincial Nomination certificate effectively guarantees an ITA.

Why Canada is Inviting So Many Immigrants

The rationale behind the IRCC’s decision to continue inviting candidates to immigrate to Canada is that even if this period of COVID-induced uncertainty and unclarity continues for the foreseeable future; prior approval of candidates would allow them to arrive into the country in a swift, systematic and streamlined manner once the travel restrictions are lifted and normal service is resumed.

It is advisable to keep in mind that Canada’s travel restrictions still forbid people from traveling to Canada for discretionary purposes. The IRCC has prioritised applications of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are aiming to return to Canada as well as essential service providers. In terms of Express Entry profiles, the IRCC is working at full tilt to process applications and has promised to give definitive timelines when the pandemic-induced atmosphere of uncertainty sub-sides.

Get in touch with us to receive immigration guidance from qualified immigration professionals.

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Complete guide to sponsoring a conjugal partner to Canada

Canada’s diverse range of immigration programmes make it an alluring destination for immigrants from around the world and its Conjugal Partner Sponsorship programme is one such programme which is gaining prominence because of its liberal approach and wide scope of application. This sponsorship programme is beneficial especially for those couples who do not qualify for the country’s spousal sponsorship programme and the common-law partner programme.

 Who is a conjugal partner for the purposes of immigration?

In essence, a conjugal partner is any individual who’s living outside Canada and with whom you have been involved in a relationship for over a year; and you cannot live together due to circumstances which are beyond your control. This aspect is imperative, since if it comes to the fore that the two individuals are living apart on their will, their conjugal sponsorship application might not get approved. Some of the circumstances which qualify as being out of an individual’s control are contentious aspects such as different religious beliefs, sexual orientations, immigration hurdles and other socio-cultural barriers.

Difference between a conjugal partner and a spouse

A conjugal partner is different from a spousal partner in the sense that for a person to qualify as a conjugal partner, marriage isn’t a defining factor. The definition of a conjugal relationship isn’t restricted to a just a relationship’s ‘physical’ or ‘sexual’ aspect, as for a person to qualify as your conjugal partner a whole host of other factors come into play as well. For a relationship to qualify as a conjugal one, the two individuals must be interdependent on each other on financial, social, emotional or physical grounds. Provided that its other conditions are met, the Canadian government recognises any individual as a conjugal partner, and doesn’t discriminate on the grounds of their gender, caste, creed or ethnicity.

If you are planning on applying for a conjugal sponsorship, we’d advise you to also go through the guidelines and stipulations mentioned for the ‘common-law partner’ sponsorship applications as you might not be considered in the conjugal partner sponsorship category if your application qualifies as a common-law partnership.

Requirements for sponsoring a conjugal partner to come to Canada

The sponsor wishing to fill in the conjugal partner sponsorship application must be a Canadian national or permanent resident, above the age of 18 and they must sign an undertaking which declares them as being capable of taking care of their conjugal partner’s basic needs for a period of three years. This means that you must be in a position to cater to their essential needs such as accommodation, clothing, food and health services which fall outside the purview of the Canadian public health service. It is also important for you to prove that you aren’t financially dependent on any of the social assistance schemes; unless you are differently abled.

It is important to note that the three-year undertaking begins from the day your conjugal partner becomes a permanent resident and it shall remain in effect throughout that period even if your relationship with your conjugal partner breaks down.

Subjective assessment of relationship

Sinc, a conjugal relationship does not exist on paper in the form of a legal document, the final call on every conjugal sponsorship application rests with the Canadian Supreme Court. The Supreme Court assesses an application on a variety of subjective factors such as the mutual commitment of the two partners, the exclusivity of their relationship, their sexual preferences, their ability to financially and emotionally support one another, among other factors; before taking a call on the application’s status.

 

Schedule a consultation with an immigration professional and take the uncertainty out of sponsoring a loved one to Canada.

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IRCC’s eligibility criteria for conjugal partners

In addition to satisfying the aforementioned criteria, a sponsor must also satisfy the following eligibility criteria set by IRCC:

1. Intend to live in Canada during undertaking period: The sponsor must be a Canadian national or permanent resident who intends to live in Canada with their conjugal partner throughout the undertaking period. Permanent residents who are living overseas cannot sponsor a conjugal partner.
2. A satisfactory LICO score: Every year the Canadian government decides a low-income-cut-off score which every sponsor must satisfy in order to be eligible for the conjugal partnership procedure. In addition to your LICO score, you must also attach a Financial Evaluation form in your application, unless you are living or planning to live in Quebec.
3. Legally bound to repay social assistance: The sponsor must also accept that they are legally bound to repay the full amount of social assistance your conjugal partner avails during the undertaking period (if applicable).

The province of Quebec has its separate set of conditions which you must satisfy in order to get your conjugal sponsorship application approved.

Factors that can make you ineligible to sponsor a conjugal partner

Even though the conjugal sponsorship programme provides great flexibility and scope of application to unmarried couples, there are still various factors due to which you might be ineligible to sponsor a conjugal partner, such as:

Defaulted on social assistance repayment: If you had previously sponsored someone and defaulted on any of their social assistance repayments, while their undertaking period was active, then you might be declared ineligible to sponsor anyone else until you repay the full amount.

Declared bankruptcy: If you have filed for bankruptcy and the procedure hasn’t been finished by the time you are submitting your conjugal sponsorship application, then your application will get rejected since your conjugal partner will remain financially dependent on you for their essential needs during their undertaking period.

Nature of your relationship: Even though marriage isn’t a necessary for your relationship to qualify as a conjugal one, individuals who are engaged in relationships which transcend the boundaries of monogamous relationships; and engage in bigamous or polygamous relationships will not be able to sponsor a conjugal partner. You won’t be able to sponsor an individual as your conjugal partner if your relationship with them has broken down and you two have been separated for more than a year.

Criminal record: Individuals convicted of crimes such as domestic abuse, wherein they’ve caused physical harm to their previous partner or family member, are ineligible to sponsor a conjugal partner. Even attempts at committing crimes such as violence and sexual abuse aren’t taken lightly.

Thus, it is easy to see why Canada’s conjugal sponsorship programme has emerged as a popular immigration option for unmarried couples and is becoming a great way of reuniting individuals separated by socio-cultural barriers and distances.

Get in touch with us to gain further clarity into this topic and several other immigration-related queries.

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Crossing into Canada for work? Don’t get delayed or turned back at the Canadian border

Earlier in the year the breakout of the novel coronavirus disease compelled governments all across the world to shut their borders to restrict the influx of tourists or visitors from other countries and contain the spread of the virus. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Canada too restricted the entry of visitors traveling to the country for non-essential purposes.

US-Canada border closure extended till 2021

Recently Canada decided to extend its border closure with the United States till 21st December and also extended its travel restrictions for foreign travellers from other countries till 21st January, 2021. In addition to that, Canada has also opted in favour of keeping its 14-day mandatory quarantine period in place for all foreign visitors till 21st January, 2021.

In its latest round of directives the Canadian government has strongly advised anyone who’s traveling to Canada to undergo a viral test 24-72 hours before attempting to enter the country and to keep their test results handy during their travel. People who are infected with COVID-19 will be denied entry into Canada.

Essential workers allowed to enter Canada from the US

The Canadian government is still allowing certain essential service providers, businessmen and traders carrying valid work permits and visas to enter into the country for professional pursuits. The Canada Border Services Agency has been functioning ceaselessly to ensure the availability of essential goods for the general public and to cause Canadian importers minimal distress. Certain occupations have been deemed critical by the IRCC, and individuals engaged in these professionals have been exempted from the 14-day quarantine period. Workers who are exempt from the 14-day quarantine period include critical healthcare providers, essential goods transporters, medical-maintenance workers, and emergency service providers.

Even under the difficult environment created by the coronavirus pandemic, professional opportunities in Canada haven’t hit a dead end, rather the labour market has just undergone a paradigm shift. Although the work from home model has been implemented in several fields; sectors such as healthcare and logistics are still actively recruiting to cater to the increasing on-site demands. If you are a temporary worker who seeks to gain entry into Canada then you must have a valid work permit or at the very least procure a work permit approval letter.

How to enter Canada from the US during COVID-19

If you wish to enter Canada through the US border by road, then you must satisfy the Canada Border Service Agency Officials that you do not exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19, are traveling for non-discretionary purposes, and have a comprehensive 14-day quarantine plan. Even critical workers such as healthcare providers must self-isolate and self-monitor outside their working hours.

 

Schedule a consultation with an immigration professional and take the uncertainty out of your crossing into Canada.

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Process for entering Canada from the US

US citizens and permanent residents must carry at least one proof of citizenship document; whether its your birth certificate, citizenship certificate or your Permanent Resident Card. Foreign nationals trying to enter Canada would also need to furnish a valid visa to the Border Service Official.

Upon your arrival at the ‘Primary Inspection’ checkpoint at the border, the border officials will ask you for the aforementioned forms of identification and they might also ask you a series of questions about the goods you are carrying in your vehicle. You could also be asked to tell them the full amount (in Canadian dollars) of the food, animal or plant-related products in your possession. If you are carrying more than $10,000 CAD in tangible currency or via cheque, you will have to inform the Border Services Official about the same.

Why may you be denied entry across the Canada border

We’d suggest you remain as honest as possible with the border services officials since if they deem your answers to be unsatisfactory, they might deny you entry into Canada and ask you to return from the border itself. For you convenience, you can access a ‘Border Wait Time’ list online beforehand, to identify the border checkpoints wherein you’ll have to wait the least.

It may so happen that during your ‘Primary Inspection’, the border services official might ask you to move on to another point for a ‘Secondary Inspection’. Generally, secondary inspections are conducted to check and verify the electronic and digital devices in your possession. To ensure the safety of your sensitive information and privacy the border officials are prohibited from accessing your banking apps or your social media apps.  The border service official might also ask you further questions regarding your trip to Canada or verify your documents. You shouldn’t worry about this as it is a part of their routine protocol.

Coming to Canada for business reasons

Traders or drivers of carrier vehicles who wish to bypass the Primary Inspection Line can opt for electronic notices; through which businesses can interchange data to save the hassle of filling up tons of paperwork. The CBSA also offers online stamping service, known as the ‘Electronic Longroom’, which allows commercial cargo carriers to skip the step of submitting paperwork at a designated CBSA office and instead submit it online in the convenient PDF file format.

The CBSA has also designed a comprehensive plan for the post-COVID era which would benefit importers in particular; who will be able to avail benefits such as a state-of-the-art importing interface, self-service access to information and even reduce the cost of importing into the country.

It is important to note that there are certain goods which are either restricted or prohibited in Canada, so you must declare these goods at the border service checkpoint, to avoid further questioning or potentially being denied entry. For instance, if you’re attempting to bring a non-restricted firearm into Canada from the US, you must furnish the valid licenses and documentation. We’d advise you to check out the firearms specifications beforehand as Canadian residents or visitors to Canada cannot import prohibited or illegal firearms into the country, under any condition.

Speak to an immigration professional

It is advisable to seek opinion of an experienced immigration professional who can help you avoid any potential roadblocks or awkward encounters with CBSA officials and ensure that you can seamlessly cross into Canada.

Whether you are planning to come to Canada to visit loved ones or want to enter the country for work, get in touch with us. We will tell you if you are eligible to travel to Canada for personal/professional purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Express Entry: What to expect of Canada immigration in 2021

Canada is looking to counteract the negative effects of having one of the oldest populations in the world by setting highly-ambitious immigration plans.

Between 2021 and 2023, Canada wants to welcome more than 1.23 million immigrants who should help the country reverse its currently dipping economy. With 18% of its population over the age of 65 and one of the world’s lowest birth rates at 1.47 births per woman, Canada is looking overseas for permanent residents.

Why is Canada so keen on immigration?

While the United States and several countries in Europe are restricting immigration, Canada is one of the few states in the world that looks to welcome as many immigrants as it can.

Canada has a population of over 37.5 million people at the moment. However, due to its large territory, it is also one of the least populated countries in the world with just 4 human inhabitants per square kilometre.

Since its inception in 1867, Canada has enhanced its number of inhabitants steadily but only accepted more than 400,000 immigrants once, in 1913. Unfortunately, the current economic state of the country and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has urged the authorities to increase their immigration capacity.

What to expect in 2021?

To boost the labor force and economic growth, Canada plans to welcome at least 400,000 immigrants in 2021. The upcoming residents should overturn the descending curve in immigration which saw at least 64% fewer people becoming permanent Canadian residents in August 2020 compared to August 2021. Before COVID-19 spread like wildfire across the world, Canada had planned to welcome 400,000 immigrants in 2020. However, after having to shut its borders, the country will close the year with little over 60,000 new permanent residents.

However, even breaking the record of new immigrants per year might not help Canada improve its fortunes. So, the Canadian government has set even higher goals for the next few years as the country is expecting to receive at least 400,000 new residents in 2022 and in 2023.

The applicants will include people from various backgrounds, such as:

• Federal economic, provincial/territorial nominees
• Quebec-selected skilled workers and business applicants
• Family reunification applicants
• Refugees
• Protected persons
• Humanitarian and compassionate cases

How U.S. citizens and residents can immigrate to Canada

United States citizens have the easiest way of entering Canada. The United States represents the fifth-most popular country of origin for immigration applicants in Canada. Currently, Americans can immigrate to Canada for work or study, as well as through spousal sponsorship. Additionally, they can use express entry or be part of a provincial program for immigration.

U.S. citizens also benefit from less strict restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic in Canada. As a result, they have an easier entry into the country and are exempt from travel restrictions if they have obtained their confirmation of permanent residence after March 18, 2020.

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ArriveCAN app and mandatory daily COVID-19 reporting for Canada arrivals beginning 2020

 The ongoing pandemic has forced the Canadian Government to impose stricter measures for travellers coming into the country.

With no end in sight for the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities in Canada are looking to smartphone applications to contain the spread of the coronavirus. People traveling to Canada from November 21 on must use the ArriveCAN app to report on their condition before and after arrival.

If you are planning to travel to Canada in the next few months, here is what you need to do!

Before You Leave for Canada

Canada imposes a 14-day quarantine period that applies to all incoming travellers, excluding those who are subject to specific exemptions.

If Canada is the last destination on your trip, you must install the ArriveCAN app before boarding your plane. You can use the app either on your phone or your computer and provide essential data, such as:

• Your contact information
• Your travel itinerary
• Your self-assessment of COVID-19 symptoms
• Your potential quarantine plan

After submitting this information, you will receive an ArriveCAN receipt, which you will have to present to the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers before your entry into Canada.

If you fail to comply with these measures, you will be subject to a penalty that may range from a verbal warning to a $1,000 fine. The only exceptions include travelers who could not send their information because of a disability or not having adequate infrastructure.

Already starting from November 4, air travel companies remind their passengers that they must submit their information regarding COVID-19 through ArriveCAN before boarding their flights to Canada.

The authorities also encourage travelers who wish to enter Canada by land or marine to complete the COVID-related forms through ArriveCAN before starting their trip. This way, they will avoid delays at the border entry points.

After arriving in Canada

Once you arrive in Canada, and you enter quarantine, you can submit your information to the Canadian authorities by using the following toll-free number: 1-833-641-0343. You are only required to do so if you are not subject to the Mandatory Isolation Order.

After you arrive in Canada, you have 48 hours to confirm that you have entered the quarantine period at the address you have mentioned to the authorities. Also, you have to complete a daily self-check of COVID-19 symptoms and provide your results through the ArriveCAN app or at the number above, if you cannot use the online application.

The authorities in Canada consider incoming travellers as one of their leading priorities and will use enforcement action to ensure that they provide the necessary information. In their opinion, these measures should diminish the increasing rate of COVID-19 infections by reducing contact between travellers and border officials.

The Canadian Government also mentioned that these measures give more control to the travellers about the information they provide and the measures they take to reduce COVID-19 spread. It also saves the government from having to track the movement of travellers through GPS.

Passengers arriving at the primary international airports in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver may also be able to clear immigration procedures faster because of special ArriveCAN lanes.

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Do you need to quarantine when you come to Canada?

Effective, timely and well-executed lockdowns in certain countries have helped slow down COVID-19’s rapid spread, but the novel coronavirus still continues to disrupt millions of lives around the world. Certain European countries are even faced with the prospect of a ‘second wave’ of the virus’ spread. Therefore, Canadian authorities have decided to not relax the mandatory 14-day quarantine restriction they had placed back in March upon all international travellers, Canadian nationals and permanent residents of Canada hoping to enter the country.

The Government of Canada’s stance of denying entry to foreign nationals traveling to Canada for discretionary or optional reasons remains firm, as it continues to urge people to only travel to Canada for non-discretionary reasons or due to unavoidable circumstances. So if you’re planning on flying to Canada be sure to check whether the purpose of your visit qualifies as ‘non-discretionary’, otherwise you’ll be at the risk of being denied entry into the country.

Who can travel to Canada during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020?

Some foreign nationals who are ‘eligible’ to enter into Canada at present: immediate family members, travellers coming directly from the US for unavoidable purposes, temporary foreign workers, certain foreign students, permanent residency applicants whose permanent residency has been approved. It is important to note that according to the Government of Canada, attending a close one’s funeral or meeting a dying relative isn’t considered ‘non-discretionary’.

The government’s stance on foreign nationals trying to gain entry into the country is clear: if you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19, you’ll be denied entry straightaway. If you are a Canadian national or permanent resident exhibiting mild symptoms of the virus, it’s imperative for you to strictly isolate. Even if you do not exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 at the port of entry, you will still have to quarantine yourself for two weeks.

It is mandatory for all travellers to furnish a comprehensive ‘quarantine plan’ at the port of entry (POE); which if deemed ‘unsatisfactory’ by the port authorities would almost certainly result in you being denied entry into Canada. An ideal Canada travel quarantine plan consists of:

• Information about your accommodation.
• How you will reach your destination from the port of entry.
• How you’ll transit to procure essential products and services such as groceries or medicines.

There may be huge repercussions to not following or flouting your quarantine plan such as a hefty fine of around $750,000 or even imprisonment of up to 6 months.

However, certain essential service providers who travel to Canada from the US on a daily basis are exempted from the quarantine restrictions. For a smoother and swifter process at the Canadian border, it is best to download the Canada Border Services Agency’s app ‘ArriveCap’; which allows you to submit certain information and details in advance.

As an additional layer of security, you should consider downloading the COVID-19 Alert app on your mobile phone, which employs Bluetooth technology to detect people who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms around you.

Finally, prepare a comprehensive two-week quarantine plan, and travel to Canada only if it is truly imperative.

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How to call relatives to Canada during COVID-19

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has compelled us all to adjust to a ‘new normal’; into a world where concepts such as ‘social distancing’ and ‘lockdowns’ have become integral. Effective and timely lockdowns have helped Canada slow down the spread of the virus but strict vigilance is still imperative. Currently, it is only possible to invite immediate family members or individuals who are traveling for essential purposes and are coming via the United States or are exempted from travel restrictions, to enter Canada.

What relatives can visit Canada during COVID-19?

The Canadian government has understandably decided to allow only those foreign nationals who are arriving into the country for non-discretionary purposes, apart from an individual’s immediate family members to minimise the exposure of Canadian nationals to the virus which has claimed more than 900,000 lives globally so far. It is important to note that even foreign nationals who have valid visitor visas or electronic travel authorisations are not guaranteed entry into the country if they don’t fulfil the aforementioned criteria.

According to canada.ca, the official website of the government of Canada, the following people are considered as ‘immediate family members’ of a person:

–              Spouse

–              Common law-partner

–              Parent/ Step-parent

–              Dependent child of a dependent child

–              Tutor or guardian

Requirements during visit

These individuals would be permitted entry into the country only if they intend to stay in the country for more than 15 days, exhibit no symptoms of COVID-19 and provide a comprehensive quarantine plan (for 14 days). The quarantine plan will consist of accurate information regarding a person’s accommodation and transport arrangements during the mandatory 2-week quarantine period.

Moreover, if you’re a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, it is not mandatory for you to accompany your immediate family members during their travel to Canada, as long as they can furnish authentic documents proving their relation to you along with a satisfactory quarantine plan. Only professionals traveling to provide essential services, for instance, truck drivers traveling in and out of the country to provide essential products, are exempted from the 14-day mandatory quarantine period.

COVID-19 screening for relatives visiting Canada

If you or your immediate family members are hoping for successful immigration to Canada, it is mandatory for you to undergo the screening procedures at the port of entry. Any individual who shows COVID-19 symptoms and is traveling for optional purposes, like tourism, wouldn’t be allowed entry.

If immediate family members exhibit mild symptoms, they must strictly self-isolate for 14 days or risk being denied entry. Even if you furnish a valid medical document to the port officials, which states that you have tested negative for COVID-19, you are still expected to quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days.

We believe that apart from being well-versed with the rules and regulations for immigration to Canada, it is important to know about the provincial restrictions in place as different provinces of Canada have put in place specific travel restrictions.

The Government of Canada is still processing permanent residency, student permit, temporary work permit applications, but the pandemic has affected their processing time. However, travel restrictions are applicable for international students and workers too unless they can convince the port officials that they are traveling for non-discretionary purposes.

It is advisable that you invite your relatives to Canada only if they are traveling for non-optional purposes. Refrain from inviting distant relatives for discretionary purposes such as leisure, entertainment, tourism as they may not be allowed to enter Canada (depending on changes in travel advisories).

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