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If you are thinking of sponsoring your spouse or parents to come to Canada, now is as good a time as any. IRCC is letting applicants start the sponsored permanent resident process. Though some formalities are being delayed, this can be used to your benefit.
Should your spouse or parents apply to CIC for PR?
Yes, the government of Canada has announced that they are still receiving and processing spousal, common-law partner and parent sponsorship applications while special Covid-19 measures are in place.
Covid-19 lockdown is a good time to sponsor your family
Canada has imposed restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into the country till 30 June 2020 due to the global novel coronavirus outbreak. The travel restrictions prohibit anyone from entering Canada; the only exceptions are for:
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents;
- spouse, common-law partner and parents of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents
who are allowed to enter the country. Family members should make sure they carry official identification or documents that prove their relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Note also that anyone coming to Canada right now will have to self-quarantine for 14 days.
If an eligible family member shows signs of illnesses, they can be stopped from entering the country.
Is your parents’ or spouse’s application incomplete?
Many ongoing applications with the IRCC for spousal sponsorship were left incomplete. People couldn’t get medical examinations or submit their biometrics and are now left wondering what will happen. Will the documents they have submitted expire? Will the application have to be submitted again?
New and existing applications
The IRCC is accepting and processing ongoing PR applications during the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, IRCC will also accept incomplete applications. This means you have extra time to obtain some required documents.
New spousal or parent sponsorship
The spouse or parent will have to submit a letter explaining the delay in submitting mandatory documents due to Covid-19.
Applications not to be closed/refused
IRCC will not close or refuse applications because of documents missing due to Covid-19. Applicants have 90 days to provide documents or complete the steps required as part of the application.
Biometrics
Though the Biometrics Instruction Letter gives applicants 30 days to provide biometrics, IRCC has extended that to 90 days. No new Letter will be issued or required.
Landing appointments
All physical in-person landing appointments for permanent residents have been cancelled by the IRCC and there is no scheduled date when they will restart. However, IRCC will be conducting appointments over the telephone if possible or reschedule the appointment at a later date.
Landing in Canada
If the permanent resident application was approved on or before 18 March 2020, you are exempt from the travel restriction measures.
Read more
Who can sponsor an immigrant to Canada | Minimum IELTS for Canada immigration | Immigrating on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
Can you sponsor your spouse, partner, parents or grandparents if you are receiving the CERB?
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit has been offered by the Canadian government to workers who have lost their income due to Covid-19 related layoffs.
Usually, someone receiving benefits/monetary social assistance is not eligible to sponsor a family member as a permanent resident. However, the Canadian government has clarified that someone receiving the CERB will still be eligible, as long as he or she meets the requirements laid down.
