Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just declared that the processing of online temporary resident visa (TRV) applications and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) will continue into the new year.

In addition to that, new categories of applicants have also been added to the list of exempt from presenting TRV applications electronically.

Earlier it was asked that all applications for temporary resident visas, work permits, or study permits from foreign nationals outside Canada at the time of application must be submitted electronically.

People who cannot submit their applications online due to a disability will continue to be exempt. Starting October 1, 2020, two new groups will be exempt from the online submission requirement:

• Foreign nationals holding status or travel document of the type issued by a country to non-national citizens, refugees, or stateless persons who are unable to get a passport or another travel documents from their country of citizenship; and
• Applicants under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program.

Canada’s government said that preference will continue to be given to those who can travel under current travel constraints and that both new and existing applications will be considered.
To be approved, even if they meet travel restrictions exclusion criteria, all applicants must continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements under the IRPA (Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.)

IRCC also said that, even though the priority is to continue to process applications from those who meet travel restriction exemptions and those who travel on a non-discretionary basis, “non-priority TRV applications may continue to be processed, and approved or denied, by normal TRV processing.”

IRCC will send information to approved TRV applicants notifying them that travel restrictions remain in force despite their approval, and that travel to Canada is not endorsed.

IRCC also speeds up the processing eTA applications requiring officer review for applicants who meet the criteria for exemption from the current travel restrictions.

Find out if you are qualified for Canadian Immigration.

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