CACN - Timeline of IRCC Related COVID-19 Measures - Nov 16, 2020

October 29, 2020

Border Measures: Order in Council (OIC) and Interim Orders

OIC 33
10/30/20 to 30/11/20

• Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada (Mandatory Isolation): Requires all travelers to have a quarantine plan in place before arriving in Canada and self-isolate for 14 days, prohibits isolation with older people and vulnerable people. Sick travellers must wear mask when transiting.

OIC 32
10/30/20 to 11/30/20

• Prohibition of Entry into Canada from any country other than the United States: Prohibits entry into Canada from any country other than U.S, with some exceptions.

OIC 31
10/30/20 to 11/21/20

• Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States: Prohibits foreign nationals from the United States from entering Canada, addresses application of the STCA, facilitates family reunification of permanent residents and Canadian citizens.

IO 11 (Int’l, Trans-border and Domestic Travel)
10/22/20 to 11/04/20

• Aeronautics Act (AA) Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19: All airline passengers & crew must have non-medical mask/face covering. Masks must be worn during screening checkpoints, during flight, and while in terminal. Renewal expected every 14 days as long as necessary.

Public Policies and Measures to Support COVID-19

COVID Ministerial Instructions

MI 42
10/01/20 to 01/31/21

• Ministerial Instructions renewed to require online applications for temporary resident visas, work permits and study permits until Jan 31, 2021, with exemption of certain applicants from the online requirement.

MI
08/31/20 Effective until Minister revokes

• Amending Express Entry Ministerial Instructions to extend the invitation to apply period to 90 days, from the current 60 days.

COVID Public Policies

Electronic Asylum Claims
03/17/20 Effective until Minister revokes

• Allows in-Canada asylum claimants to make claim for refugee protection electronically.

Permanent Residents / Not In-Person
04/09/20 Effective until Minister revokes

• Allows individuals in Canada to become permanent residents without having to present their permanent resident visa to an officer in-person.

International Students / Employment
04/22/20 to 08/31/20

• Allows students to work more than 20/hours week during academic year in an essential service.

TFWs / Biometrics
04/30/20 Effective until Minister revokes

• Allows certain TFWs (SAWPs, agri. workers, health care workers and truckers) to complete biometrics at Port of Entry.

TFW / IMP Employment Change
05/06/20 Effective until Minister revokes

• Allows foreign workers in Canada to change employers or occupations under the TFWP or IMP to start work immediately, while work permit application is processed.

TRs / Exemptions
07/14/20 to 12/31/20

• Allows TRs in Canada who have fallen out of status more time to restore their status. Allows for issuance of work or study permit and allows former workers applying for job offer supported work permit to work while they await decision.

TRs / Biometrics
07/15/20 Effective until Minister revokes

• Exempts all foreign nationals in Canada with an existing or new TR application from the biometrics requirement.

Visitors / Work Permit
08/24/20 to 03/31/21

• Allows visitors in Canada with job offer to apply for work permit without having to leave the country. Also allows these applicant with work permit from last 12 months to work for a new employer before new permit approved.

Certain PR Applicants Outside & Inside Canada
09/22/20 Effective until Minister revokes

• Exempts foreign nationals from the biometrics collection requirement in support of their pending or new application for permanent residence if they have previously provided their biometrics within the last ten years.

In-Canada Protected Persons
09/10/20 Until a regulatory amendment is made

• Exempt In-Canada Protected Persons and Accompanying Family Members from the Immigration Medical Exam Requirement when applying for Permanent Residence.

Temporary public policy for sponsors of PGP and other Family Class
10/03/20 When all applications that rely on 2020 income are processed

• Reduces minimum income requirement in 2020 for sponsors of PGP applications, and for sponsors of other family class applications, income from Employment Income Act (COVID CERB or regular EI) can be included to meet minimum necessary income threshold.

Program and Policy Changes

MI35

05/15/20 to 05/14/23

• Launch of Agri-Food Pilot.

Agri Food Pilot MI

05/15/20 to 05/14/23

• Amendments made to the Agri-Food Pilot Ministerial Instructions to clarify that the calculations of “prevailing wages” should not exceed wages established by collective agreements in response to stakeholder concerns.

Parents and Grandparents Program Reopening

09/29/20 Effective until Minister revokes

• Ministerial instructions will be issued to open the PGP.