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Foreign nationals who are required to undergo a medical examination may be unable to arrive in Canada before the expiry date of their medical examination.
Until a change request can be implemented to modify the letter of introduction to include the medical examination validity date, officers may use the port of entry facilitation letter.
The letter can be modified to include instructions that the client must enter Canada before the expiry of their medical examination.
Ministerial Instructions
CONSIDERATIONS:
Recognizing the declaration by the World Health Organization regarding the pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus);
Recognizing how the related response measures have reduced Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada’s capacity for processing applications, both in Canada and overseas;
Noting that Canada’s immigration objectives, as laid out in section 3 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, include the establishment of fair and efficient procedures, to maintain the integrity of the Canadian immigration system.
SCOPE
These Instructions apply to new applications for Temporary Resident Visas, work permits and study permits, submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on or after the coming into force of these Instructions.
Applications Submitted from Outside Canada to be Submitted by Electronic Means – Temporary Residence
All applications for a Temporary Resident Visa (including a Transit Visa), a work permit, or a study permit submitted by foreign nationals who are outside Canada at the time of application must be submitted using electronic means (apply online).
The following foreign nationals who are outside Canada and submitting applications for temporary resident visas, work permits, and study permits may submit these applications by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose:
- Foreign nationals who, because of a disability are unable to meet a requirement to make an application, submit any document or provide a signature or information using electronic means;
- Foreign nationals who hold an identity or travel document described in paragraph 52(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations that was issued by a country, that does not prohibit travel to Canada, that the foreign national may use to enter the country of issue and that is of the type issued by that country to non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons who are unable to obtain a passport or other travel document from their country of citizenship or nationality or who have no country of citizenship or nationality; and,
- Foreign nationals applying for a work permit who are intending to perform work under an international agreement or arrangement between Canada and one or more countries concerning seasonal agricultural workers.
Retention/Disposition
Applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on or after the coming into force of the Instructions that were not submitted by electronic means, will not be accepted and processing fees will be returned, except in the case of foreign nationals who may submit an application by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose, in accordance with these Instructions.
EFFECTIVE DATE
These Instructions take effect on February 1, 2021 and expire September 30, 2021.