Canada is no more extending incomplete immigration applications

Canada has taken a new measure as immigration services have started reopening throughout the world. The IRCC will no longer extend immigration applications automatically for citizenship, temporary residence, and permanent residence. Canada offered automatic extensions to incomplete immigration applications as a COVID-19 measure. Now, the immigration department will not extend your incomplete applications automatically. However, if applicants are unable to submit complete applications due to coronavirus disruption, they can still get an extension provided they submit a valid explanation.  The immigration department of Canada will soon contact applicants with incomplete immigration applications and will ask them to submit pending required documents or provide a reasonable explanation.  IRCC is taking this step to expedite the decision-making process of immigration applications. If applicants provide their complete documents, the department will be able to speed up the processing times. And thus, space will be created for several new immigration applications.  Also, IRCC has clarified that immigrants with Confirmation of Permanent Residence and Visitor visas can travel to Canada only if they are exempt from the ongoing restrictions on non-essential travel.  IRCC will start collecting pending documents If your immigration application is incomplete, IRCC will send you an email or letter to submit the required documents.  The immigration department has indicated applicants collect their documents at the earliest opportunity, for instance, biometrics.  If you are a citizenship applicant, you would be required to submit your documents within thirty days of receiving notification from IRCC. If you do not submit your documents and do not provide any explanation to the department, your application will be discarded. 

Cannot provide documents?

If you cannot submit the necessary documents, IRCC will be flexible with you. The department would need a reasonable explanation for your inability of not submitting the complete application.  This exemption is given to only those applicants who are affected by COVID-19 disruptions and are unable to get their documents. 

Acceptable explanations can be:

• Closure of Visa Application Centre in your region;
• Any regional lockdown that prevents you from collecting your documents such as police reports.

If IRCC officers find your explanation genuine, they will extend your immigration application for 30 days. They will inform you about your application status.  Please note: IRCC won’t contact you for document submission if it determines that a large number of applicants are affected by the regional lockdown Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs