The Affects of COVID-19 on Permanent Residence Applications

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have provided instructions on the affects COVID-19 is having on Canadian immigration matters. Applications already submitted will continue to be processed however may experience processing delays. In general, Reviewing Officers should be providing applicants with additional time to submit additional documents required for the processing of their application, including police certificates, biometrics and medical examinations. In addition, IRCC has provided further guidance regarding temporary residence, permanent residence and citizenship matters. Please read below for the instructions provided for permanent residence.

Applicants can continue to submit their application for permanent residence for processing and must submit the application prior to any deadline. Applications that are incomplete due to unavailable documentation, must include an explanation as to why the document is unavailable amid the COVID-19, and may be reviewed in 90 days. It is important to note that Officers are within their powers to refuse applications found incomplete and/or without explanations, for reasons unrelated to the disruption of services related to COVID-19.

Permanent residents in Iran and South Korea that require a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada, should contact IRCC through the web form, and those in China should contact the VAC Contact Centre for further instructions.

Applicants who have received their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and Permanent Residence Visa (PRV) but cannot travel to Canada must inform IRCC of this at the earliest. Officers should re-open the application and it should be brought for review in 90 days. Once the applicant can travel to Canada, they should inform IRCC and their application may be re-opened and re-approved, provided that the applicant and all their family members are admissible.

For further information on Canadian Permanent Residence, information on how the above affects you or any Canadian immigration matters, please contact pinaz@prmlaw.ca.