March 16: The Canadian government announced yesterday that a number of preventive measures have being enacted to curtail the rapid spread of COVID-19. The guideline is relative to temporary residence, permanent residence and citizenship application overseas and in Canada.

Citizenship

• Appointments will be rescheduled and new notice to appear will be sent.

• Applicants will have additional 30 days to provide documents.

• Applicants will be given additional 45 days to request medical opinion forms.

• Citizenship ceremonies and knowledge testing have been cancelled.

• Applicants must meet the physical presence requirements and extra days in China, Iran or South Korea will not count as days in Canada.

Temporary Residence

• Foreign Nationals (FN) who are currently in Canada either as a visitor, temporary worker or an international student can apply for an extension before their temporary residence status (TRV) expires.

• Extensions must be done online and they require to meet all requirement and pay the associated fees.

• FN who have extension applications currently in progress will obtain an implied status and may remain in Canada until a decision is given on their application.

• FN whose temporary resident status has expired can apply for restoration.

Permanent Residence

• Applications that are incomplete due to unavailability of documents have additional 90 days to complete their application.

• Applications missing supporting documentation must have an explanation stating that it was due to the COVID-19 and pay the associated fees. An additional 90 days will be given for submission.

• Applicants who have a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and permanent resident visa (PRV) and are unable to travel require to submit a web form to IRCC.