Since the outbreak of the pandemic that started about 18 months ago, all services and industries have been greatly affected, as is also the case with immigration. We saw the effects of the pandemic in almost all parts of the immigration process, which has delayed the process in its entirety.
In 2021, there have been constant changes and updates, slowly, but surely marking the re-opening of the industry. In June 2021, we saw the lifting of travel restrictions for all Permanent Residents travelling to Canada, with September bringing an end to the restrictions for travellers who are fully vaccinated.
In our research, we had also come across documents from the IRCC that indicated that there would be mass finalisations on permanent residency applications that have been with the Department for processing, in some cases for over 2 years. This information had been the first light at the end of a very long tunnel as a result of the ongoing pandemic.
It is with great pleasure that we can now officially say that we have been seeing positive movement on this front which suggest that the finalisation of permanent residency applications has started. In late September, we started receiving further communications from the IRCC to finalise PR applications that are still in progress, which has been extremely limited over the last year and a half.
There is no doubt that the Canadian Government is now taking action to resume the approvals of permanent residency applications, as their current circumstances, coupled with the devastating effects of the pandemic, have essentially forced them to do so.
It has always been made very clear that Canada is desperate for immigrants, as they simply do not have the necessary human capital to sustain their economy. They have also made it clear that immigration is at the forefront of their economic recovery process, as permanent residents not only provide them with the necessary skills and experience, but also boosts their economy.
If the pandemic has put your immigration dreams on hold, there is no better time than now to get started, as the signs are clear of the system returning to a post-pandemic normal. Feel free to get in touch for an obligation-free assessment to establish your migration possibilities.