COVID 19 Immigration Updates

THIS WIKI AND PAGE ARE EDITABLE BY ALL WITH THE LINK. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE YOUR LATEST UPDATES ON ON THIS PAGE, BUT BE MINDFUL OF SHARING LINK WITH INTENDED AUDIENCE (IMM/REF PRACTITIONERS). THANKS!

LATEST UPDATES

March 23, 2020

10:00 PM: Ontario's list of essential services are available here.

2:00 PM: Ontario has announced that it will shut down all non-essential services by Tuesday at 11:59PM. Quebec has likewise announced closures of non-essential services

March 21, 22:

A new interim order was issued to replace the old one.

March 20, 2020

11:00 PM: Land border restriction OIC

11:00 PM: Exemptions can be found for Canada here.

6:10 PM: Ontario is waiving the usual 3 month OHIP requirement, and covering all services associated with COVID treatments even for those who do not qualify under OHIP.

5:01 PM: IRB has suspended all in-person hearings and mediations, other than detention reviews until May 4, 2020

3:20 PM: US has released a "draft" version of their border policy defining essential travel. Copy here: US Homeland Security Border Update.pdf

1:20 PM: CBC interview with Deputy PM states that temporary foreign workers/students WILL be allowed to enter into Canada https://www.facebook.com/cbc/posts/1458841487620786?comment_id=1458928014278800&notif_id=1584721617782777&notif_t=feed_comment

11:00 AM: PM Trudeau says that entrants to Canada that are irregular will be turned back to US.

March 19, 2020

6:36 PM: 6900 Airport Road CBSA facility is closed. Some discussion on listserv for reporting issues, but clients are to report via email. Please refer all clients to this email box 'ENQUIRIES222@cbsa.gc.ca'. They are to put their name and UCI in the email.

6:30 PM: Added some Federal Court anecdotal practice instructions from those on the Listserv.

12:15 PM: Order-in-Council rules for border closure released.

12:11 PM: Via Ravi Jain, IRCC has sent a notice to the profession on air/land travel.

11:45 AM: Prime Minister Trudeau states that US-CA border closure could happen overnight Friday or Saturday. CBC interview source states that the border restrictions should be restrictive rather than permissive and prohibit travel for tourism or travel itself. Details will be forthcoming.

9:53 AM: IRCC call centre is unavailable until further notice.

March 18, 2020

WES affected: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in light of the most recent public health recommendations, WES has temporarily suspended all in-office operations. All applicants whose documents reached our Toronto and New York locations after March 10, 2020 can expect delays. We will continue to process documents already in process, and will resume full operations when it is prudent. Thank you for your patience.

PORT OF ENTRY REPORTS

PEARSON - TERMINAL 1

Last update: 12:09 PM March 18, 2020
Work Permits are not essential
Truck drivers, supply chain ONLY

Reported by: Sarah Onwu, Robin Seligman and Associates

Quebec/VT

Last update: 12:59pm
Very patient and understanding border officers, let through fine with a COPR to land.

Reported by: Cristina Wadhwa

MAINE

Last update: 12:09 PM March 18 2020
"Trump's tweet is not law", waiting for more guidance

Reported by: Viviane Albuquerque, Mobilitiys

DOUGLAS

Last update: 12:09 PM March 18 2020
Contact CBSA media hotline, no further guidance

Reported by: Natasha Lakhani

PACIFIC

Last update: 12:09 PM March 18 2020
Contact CBSA media hotline, no further guidance

Reported by: Natasha Lakhani

WINNIPEG

Last update: 1:22 PM March 18 2020
For now: Business as usual, but would not be admitted if FN had been outside of US within last 14 days
Soon: Only essential workers, such as emergency personnel, will be allowed entry

Reported by: Nalini Reddy

PORT OF ENTRY CONTACTS

Terminal 1: (905) 676-3640 Terminal 3: (905) 612-5416	CBSA - Pearson	Pearson int'l cbsa contacts
778-545-5599	Douglas POE
204-983-6715	Winnipeg Airport (James Richardson Intl Airport)	TY Nalini
905-994-6330 or 905-871-6375	Peace Bridge
716-284-5174	US Immigration at Peace Bridge

COVID 19 Immigration Updates

THIS WIKI AND PAGE ARE EDITABLE BY ALL WITH THE LINK. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE YOUR LATEST UPDATES ON ON THIS PAGE, BUT BE MINDFUL OF SHARING LINK WITH INTENDED AUDIENCE (IMM/REF PRACTITIONERS). THANKS!

LATEST UPDATES

PORT OF ENTRY REPORTS

PORT OF ENTRY CONTACTS

Other helpful links/information

CLEO Steps to Justice Summary of COVID related impacts across legal industries

Order in Council Rules regarding border closure

Travel Restrictions:

Transport Canada Backgrounder on Travel Restrictions:

IRCC Program Delivery Instructions:

IRCC special measures for those affected:

Summary of closures, practice mandates, etc.

Summary of economic response plan to Canadian public.

Quebec Government Summaries (Ty Viviane)