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Canada: IRCC Extends Online Procedure of Temporary Visas, ETAs, Adds Exemptions

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has declared that the processing of online temporary resident visa (TRV) submissions and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) will carry on into the new year.

Until January 31, 2021, the IRCC will continue to procedure submissions for temporary resident visas and eTAs as well as other documents presented online.

New applicants’ categories have also been added to the list of those exempted from electronically submitting TRV applications.

Under the existing regulations, all applications for temporary resident visas, work permits or study permits must be submitted electronically by foreign nationals who are outside Canada at the time of application.

Many people are unable to apply their application online due to disability have already exempted from this obligation and will continue to be exempted. Effective on October 1 2020, two new groups of applicants from outside Canada for temporary residence will be exempted from the criteria for online submissions:

Foreign nationals holding a form of identification or travel document issued by a country to non-national citizens, refugees or stateless persons who are unable to receive a passport or other travel documents from their nation of citizenship; and
Applicants under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program.

TRV Applications Processing

Canadian Government has decided that importance will remain to be given to those who can travel under present travel restrictions and that all new and existing applications will be considered.

In order to be accepted, all applicants must continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), even if they meet the exemption criteria for travel restrictions.

People who have applied before the travel restrictions and want to be accepted on a priority basis are asked to contact IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and to indicate how they meet the exemption requirements, clarify the reason for their non-discretionary / non-optional travel and provide appropriate evidence.

IRCC also noted that, while the priority is to carry on processing applications from those who are exempted from travel restrictions and from those who are travelling on a non-discretionary basis, “non-priority TRV applications may continue to be processed, and approved or denied, by normal TRV processing.”

IRCC will send reminders to registered TRV applicants advising them that travel restrictions remain in place despite their approval and that it is not recommended to travel to Canada.

Accelerated Processing of Etas

Under the current rules, applicants will continue to submit Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) submissions online, and the processing of eTA applications that need agent review will continue, to the extent possible.

However, IRCC will speed up the processing of eTA applications that require officer review for applicants who meet the requirements for exemption from current travel restrictions. Eligible people are invited to self-identify and request documents via an IRCC web form to explain how they meet the exemption requirements.

On July 1, Canada resumed processing online applications for TRV and eTAs.

Canada confirmed two weeks ago that it was extending its travel restrictions until at least October 31.

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.