Work permit: COVID-19 program delivery
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Important
Foreign nationals who are required to undergo a medical examination may be unable to arrive in Canada before the expiry date of their medical examination. To inform them of their medical expiry date, officers may use the POE facilitation letter. The letter can be modified to include instructions that the client must enter Canada before the expiry of their medical examination.
To respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has issued a series of Emergency Orders in Council (OIC). The following 3 OICs have a direct impact on foreign workers:
- Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from any Country other than the United States)
- Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States)
- Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation, and Other Obligations)
For more information and updates on the OICs, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website, which includes a list of COVID-19 Emergency OICs in effect.
As of September 7, 2021, foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated can travel for any purpose if they have proof of full vaccination. Travel restrictions will still apply to foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated. For more information, see Travel restriction measures: COVID-19 program delivery.
Note: Under COVID-19 restrictions, there are different assessments made of people not fully vaccinated who are travelling to Canada. For example, they are assessed against the travel restrictions before they are allowed to board the aircraft, and they are also assessed for whether their purpose of travel is non-discretionary at the port of entry. Travellers are also required to meet the mandatory quarantine requirements (unless exempt).
Provinces and territories may have additional travel restrictions; applicants should check with their employer or provincial or territorial authority before making travel arrangements.
For applicants who are outside Canada, a daily report is being pulled for all approved applications and a push notification letter is being sent by the Client Experience Branch advising applicants of the required documentation to present to the air carrier and the 14-day quarantine instructions.
In this section
- Temporary workers – Processing: COVID-19 program delivery
- Temporary workers: Temporary public policies and pilot projects – COVID-19 program delivery
- Temporary workers – Travel to Canada - COVID-19 program delivery
- Work permit: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
- Employer compliance inspections
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