IRCC rolls out a list of 23 Visa Application Centres that are reopened

Candidates who are abroad and want to submit their Canadian immigration applications will be able to do now as several Visa Application Centres (VACs) are set to reopen. So, foreigners will get to complete their biometrics in the locations where the VACs centers are reopening. Biometrics are essential for immigration visa applications such as visitor visas, work permits, study permits, temporary visas, and permanent residency visas.

These are the 23 Visa Application Centers that are operating now but with limited services:

The Netherlands – The Hague
The United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai
China – Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Jinan, Kunming, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenyang.
Iraq – Erbil
Israel – Tel Aviv
Italy – Rome
Japan – Osaka, Tokyo
Malaysia – Kuala
Austria – Vienna
Bahrain – Manama
Germany – Dusseldorf
Greece – Athens

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has stated that it will ensure that the safety of the staff is taken into consideration at the VACs. Staff will use masks, gloves, and face shield as a part of coronavirus safety measures. Also, people who visit VACs will have to maintain social distancing and practice hand hygiene. Visitors will also undergo temperature checks, and they will be allowed to enter the center only when their body temperature is normal.

Canada has not lifted travel ban yet

The travel restrictions for foreign nationals are still in place and will continue until June 30. Immediate family members and work permit holders belonging to essential services are allowed to enter the country. International students whose study permits were sanctioned before March 18 can travel to Canada. However, it is imperative that all travelers must quarantine themselves for 14 days. And they should be able to prove to the Canadian Border Services Agency that they have essential facilities for the quarantine period.