Canada released new special instructions allowing the submission of temporary visa applications online between July 1 and September 30.
Canada will only accept temporary resident visas submitted online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The policy would be in place between July 1 and September 30 for those applying for work permits, study permits, and temporary resident visas (TRV), while outside Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), however, must have special provisions for persons unable to complete their electronic application process due to a disability.
Unless an applicant has a disability, during the effective duration of this policy IRCC does not consider paper-based applications and will go ahead and refund the applicant’s application and processing fees.
This strategy is part of the special coronavirus steps that IRCC takes to handle immigration applications when running at reduced capacity.
Currently, holders of work permits are allowed to fly to Canada as long as they come for a reason not optional. Many restrictions apply, including when a person comes to Canada to be with an immediate member of the family.
Study permit holders cannot come to Canada unless they have obtained a valid permit as of March 18. Nonetheless, this recent IRCC announcement indicates Canada is preparing to implement an exception for research permit holders who intend to continue their studies in Canada this fall.
