Permanent residence: COVID-19 program delivery

Application intake 

Intake of new permanent residence applications will continue. Files that are incomplete due to unavailable documents will be retained in the system and reviewed in 90 days.New, complete permanent residence applications under section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) will be processed as per normal procedures while taking into consideration the additional processing guidance outlined in these instructions. If a new application is missing supporting documentation (associated fees are required), the applicant should include an explanation with their application that they are affected by the service disruptions as a result of the novel coronavirus. The application may then be promoted and reviewed in 90 days. New applications should be promoted in the order they were received, and the org ID should be associated with them when the applicant self-identifies. If the application is still incomplete in 90 days, officers should request the missing documents with an additional 90-day deadline. Applications found to be incomplete with no explanation provided, or for reasons unrelated to the disruption of services associated with impacts of the novel coronavirus, may be rejected as per section R10, and all fees associated with the application should be refunded to the applicant. The reason for rejection should be unrelated to the disruption of services.

Approved permanent residence applications (with a COPR and PRV issued to clients outside Canada)

Valid COPR and PRV

Travelling from any country other than the US (group 1)

If the COPR and PRV were issued on or before March 18, 2020 and are still valid, the applicant

• is exempt from the travel restrictions
• can travel to Canada for non-discretionary reasons with the COPR and PRV in order to settle and live in Canada as a permanent resident and
• must have an acceptable plan to quarantine for 14 days in Canada

Applicants must check the issue date in the Application Details section of their COPR to see if this applies to them.

Travelling from the US (group 2)

Applicants can travel to Canada from the US for non-discretionary reasons to settle and live in Canada as a permanent resident if

• their application was approved
• they received their COPR and PRV and both are still valid and
• they have an acceptable plan to quarantine for 14 days in Canada

Expired COPR and PRV

Travelling from any country other than the US (group 3)

If the COPR and PRV were issued on or before March 18, 2020 but are now expired, the applicant

• is exempt from the travel restrictions
• can travel to Canada for non-discretionary reasons with the COPR and PRV in order to settle and live in Canada as a permanent resident and
• must have an acceptable plan to quarantine for 14 days in Canada

Applicants must check the issue date in the Application Details section of their COPR to see if this applies to them.

Travelling from the US (group 4)

Applicants with expired COPRs can travel to Canada from the US for non-discretionary reasons to settle and live in Canada as a permanent resident if

• their application was approved
• they received their COPR and PRV and
• they have an acceptable plan to quarantine for 14 days in Canada

Only permanent resident applicants who are in possession of an expired COPR and PRV and who are ready to travel to Canada should contact IRCC using the web form, to provide information on when the COPR expired and the non-discretionary reason(s) for travelling. Once Web forms are received, the Client Support Centre will refer them to the appropriate processing network (CN or IN), which will assess them based on the eligibility criteria below.

These applicants can come to Canada and become a permanent resident now if they plan to stay and settle. If they’re planning on coming temporarily and leaving again, they can’t do that right now unless they’re exempt from the travel restrictions. They must show

• proof of an acceptable plan to settle: documents to support their living situation in Canada (address, lease agreement, home ownership document), employment plans in Canada (location of work, letter from employer) or any other relevant information
• proof of an acceptable plan to quarantine for 14 days in Canada: includes proof of funds (bank or credit card statements) and how they will access groceries, medical care and other essential services.
  • While in quarantine, they will not be able to leave their place of quarantine for any reason. This is mandatory even if they have no COVID-19 symptoms.
• proposed travel itinerary: a description of their proposed travel itinerary, including travel tickets if they already have purchased them

In addition, the applicant and accompanying family members must show that they meet the following criteria:

• held a valid COPR and PRV on or before March 18, 2020, but these documents have now expired; no specific date for US-based applicants
• have a compelling reason to travel to Canada now:
  • family reunification: family member is in Canada and usually resides there
  • economic: economic services and supply chains, critical infrastructure support
  • health (immediate medical care), safety and security
  • supporting Indigenous communities
  • expiring status in the US
  • tending to family matters for non-optional or non-discretionary purposes
  • any other activities that are deemed non-optional or non-discretionary by the Government of Canada or based on an officer’s assessment
• the country where the client resides is not subject to exit controls that limit the client’s ability to travel to Canada. Within IN, processing officers will liaise with the respective migration program managers to verify this information; within CN, processing officers will liaise with the International Network – Rapid Response Operations Centre (IN-RROC), who will liaise with the appropriate migration program manager to verify this information.

Priority will be given to clients with a proposed or confirmed and detailed travel plan, or a willingness to book and confirm travel plans immediately once approved.