IRCC has announced that it will resume the processing of TRVs and eTAs immediately.
CIC News continues to monitor this story and will update it once Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides more information.
Note by CIC News: Several hours after this story was written, IRCC removed the web pages that contained the information below. CIC News has reached out to IRCC to confirm whether TRV and eTA applications are now in fact being processed. Please check back for more information.
Canada will resume the processing of temporary resident visas (TRVs) submitted online as well as electronic travel authorization (eTA) applications on June 9.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the update on its website.
IRCC stated it will resume TRV processing online “to the extent possible.” Applications will be prioritized for individuals who are currently eligible to travel based on current travel restrictions.
TRV applications submitted prior to the travel restrictions will not be prioritized unless applicants contact IRCC at the following email.
When contacting IRCC, such individuals must explain how they are exempt from the travel restrictions, why they are travelling to Canada for an essential purpose, and also provide IRCC with acceptable documentation.
In addition, IRCC will resume the manual processing of eTA applications that drop out for immigration officer review, also “to the extent possible.”
IRCC notes the purpose of this is to help it deal with the expected increase in applications once the travel restrictions are lifted.
IRCC will expedite the processing of eTA applications that drop out for manual review as long as the applicant also meets the exemption criteria of current travel restrictions.
Such individuals should also self-identify and submit documentation through IRCC’s web form.
Due to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, IRCC had been accepting TRV and eTA applications but was temporarily unable to process them. This new announcement provides even more indication that IRCC is seeking to normalize application processing to the best of its ability.
Need assistance with a temporary visa application process? Contact wp@canadavisa.com.