Program delivery update: COVID-19 – Work permit: Non-optional and non-discretionary travel
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
June 19, 2020
Updated guidance is available to ensure that non-optional and non-discretionary travel are being interpreted as intended under the COVID-19 Orders in Council.
To provide further clarity to officers, these instructions also include examples of optional or discretionary travel.
A list of National Occupational Classification codes related to health care was added to the list of occupations that are prioritized by IRCC.
New guidance was added under the following sections:
- Determining whether entry of temporary workers will be for a discretionary or optional purpose
- Example scenarios (regarding foreign nationals who hold a valid work permit or received a letter of introduction from IRCC on their work permit application and are seeking entry at a Canadian port of entry [POE])
- International Experience Canada (IEC) work permit applicants who received a letter of introduction and are outside Canada
- Asymptomatic foreign nationals who do not meet an exemption at the POE