IRCC has decided to resume in-person services through a formal scheduling of appointments. Virtually unavailable immigration services restarted from 21st September 2020.

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) is testing the latest policies and regulations to offer in-person services during this COVID-19 epidemic.

Major Services Resumed:

Citizenship: Vancouver Expo will resume for the purpose of citizenship knowledge re-testing and citizenship hearings. Selective candidates will be issued with appointments by IRCC through email.

PR: IRCC offices are reopening for PR-specific services in Etobicoke (Ontario) and Montreal (Quebec). Applicants willing to pick-up their PR card or wanting to participate in an interview for PR will be contacted by IRCC by email for appointment purposes.

Immigration candidates who have a scheduled appointment are permitted by IRCC to avail in-person services. Even biometric appointments will be issued by the immigration department.

PR applicants without the biometrics do not have to visit a Service Canada Centre unless they’re given for an appointment. Applicants with a representative to apply on their behalf or who have a change in their contact can update the same with the help of the IRCC web-form.

Safety Measures at IRCC Offices:

• A mandatory Health Canada self-assessment questionnaire to be completed by applicants prior to coming for an appointment.
• Wearing mask, maintaining social distance, and following instructions guiding the flow of foot traffic is compulsory.
• In case any applicant seems ill, he or she will have to reschedule the appointment.

The Public Health Agency of Canada & the regional health authorities initiated the regulations and new guidelines for providing services during the pandemic. IRCC is consistently scrutinizing the offices where in-person services are being given.