The Impact of COVID-19 on IRCC services
How COVID-19 is affecting applications to visit, work or study in Canada
If you meet the criteria for the travel exemptions, and you want to apply to come to Canada, there are changes to the application process. Learn more.
You can travel to Canada only if you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are coming for an essential purpose.
Check processing times
Due to the impacts of COVID-19, IRCC is currently unable:
IRCC is prioritizing applications from
If you have an application in progress
If you want to apply to come to Canada
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has imposed entry restrictions at our borders. Foreign nationals, including United States (US) citizens, can travel to Canada only if they’re eligible. Restrictions vary depending on where you’re coming from.
Who is eligible to travel to Canada (evidence must be provided):
To be eligible, you must provide evidence that
All other foreign nationals - To be eligible, you must meet 2 requirements:
◦exempt from the travel restrictions
◦travelling directly from the US
A quarantine plan is mandatory. If you’re eligible to travel, you must have a quarantine plan that shows how you will quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada, including how you’ll:
Find out about travel restrictions and how to apply
*You can apply for a visitor visa or an eTA, even if you’re not eligible to travel at this time. If your application is approved, you must wait for the travel restrictions to end to travel to Canada.
For information on how COVID-19 is impacting IRCC services, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19.html
Frequently Asked Questions for applications or files with IRCC
Can you check the status of my application?
To contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and speak with a representative directly please call 1-888-242-2100 or www.cic.gc.ca to check your account.
A reminder for those who have applications within the processing time, please wait for your application to process before contacting our office. You can check current processing times here.
If your application has exceeded the regular processing time, my office can check for periodic status updates from IRCC on applications for the following categories
Can you write me a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) support letter?
TRV Support Letter Questions
My application has been refused. What can you do to help me?
My office is limited in what we can do when an application has been returned or refused. We can find out more information and help you understand why exactly your application was refused. In most cases, depending on the government agency in question, there is an appeal process that is available to the constituent.
What happens if my PR card expires?
When your permanent resident (PR) card expires, you still have your PR status and can stay in Canada. You may still need your valid PR card for some services in your province.
If you leave the country, you’ll need a valid PR card to return to Canada by commercial vehicle. If you want to travel outside Canada and don’t have a valid PR card, you can apply to renew or replace your card.
I submitted my application ___ months ago. I haven’t heard anything. Can you check the status of my application?
Please check the normal processing on IRCC’s website:
If your application is still within the processing time, you will need to wait for the application to process. If it’s been longer than the regular processing time, we are happy to check on the status.
My friend applied to the same application and their application has already been approved! Why is mine taking so long?
Every application is different. Some applications take longer than others and if it has passed the processing time, we are happy to check on it.
Visit https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/index-featured-can.asp to find answers to other frequently asked questions, including: