The government of Canada announced that the current Ministerial Instructions for foreign nationals seeking a temporary resident visa, study permit, or work permit from outside Canada have been extended until April 19, 2022.
Foreign nationals can submit their applications electronically until March 31, 2023. This update is aligned with the Ministerial Instructions (MIs) that are in effect from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
Individuals who are unable to submit an application using electronic means because of a disability are exempted from the requirement to submit their application online. In addition, two groups of temporary residence applicants who apply from outside Canada are exempt from the requirement to submit an application online.
These two groups include:
Applicants holding documents described under paragraph 52(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). The term includes foreign nationals with an identity or travel document that was issued by a country to refugees or stateless individuals who were unable to get a passport or other travel documents from their country of citizenship
Applicants under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. Work permits (including temporary resident visas) cannot be applied for by applicants themselves; rather, the government of their country submits paper applications to designated IRCC missions via visa application centres
The purpose of these instructions is to provide staff with interim instructions to enable them to process new and existing applications from visitors, workers, and international students who are exempt from travel restrictions due to the purpose of their trip.
As a result, the travel restrictions will end when the IRCC offices resume normal operations after the travel restrictions are lifted.