COVID-19 Immigration and Vessel Restrictions

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue publishes two COVID‑19 emergency measures. One is a set of Ministerial Instructions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that temporarily changes how some temporary‑residence applications are handled. The other is the Interim Order Respecting Passenger Vessel Restrictions Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‑19) under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, which limits passenger vessel operations in Canadian waters.

What it does#

• Immigration changes (signed April 9, 2020, in effect for 21 days)

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) must accept applications for temporary resident visas, work permits and study permits from people outside Canada only if they are submitted online (apply online).
  • Processing of visitor temporary resident visa (TRV) applications received before or after the instructions — and any eTA applications that need manual handling — is suspended while the instructions are in effect, unless the foreign national is already exempt from Canada’s travel bans under the emergency Quarantine and Aeronautics orders.
  • Applications that are kept on file during the pause will be retained and processing fees will not be returned.

• Passenger vessel restrictions (made April 4, 2020, with start time 12:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, April 6, 2020)

  • Passenger vessels are generally prohibited from navigating, mooring or berthing in Canadian waters:
    • For Arctic waters, the ban runs from 12:00 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
    • For other Canadian waters, it runs from 12:00 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2020 to June 30, 2020.
  • Exceptions include vessels in distress, some government or research vessels, vessels carrying government employees or peace officers, innocent passage by foreign vessels, vessels repositioning/repairing, and vessels not in service.
  • Passenger vessels that provide essential services or ferries may operate if either:
    • they carry no more than 50% of their certified passenger capacity; or
    • their operator implements specific COVID‑19 control measures from the Ship Safety Bulletin SSB No. 10/2020 and notifies the Minister in writing before using those measures.
  • Operators are asked to follow guidance in COVID‑19: Guidance Material for Passenger Vessel and Ferry Operators (published April 4, 2020).
  • Foreign vessels intending to enter Arctic waters must give at least 60 days written notice before arrival; the Minister may impose conditions.
  • Penalties for not complying are $5,000 for an individual and $25,000 for any other person or vessel.

Who's affected#

• For immigration instructions:

  • People applying for visitor temporary resident visas, work permits, study permits, or electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), especially those applying from outside Canada.
  • Employers, schools or other sponsors who rely on incoming temporary workers or students may see delays.
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) staff and visa office operations that must change how they process files.

• For the passenger vessel order:

  • Ferry operators and passenger vessel companies.
  • Residents of coastal or island communities that depend on ferry links for travel, supplies or services.
  • Tour operators and marine tourism businesses.
  • Marine crews, inspectors, the Canadian Coast Guard, and local authorities who must enforce the order.
  • Vessels involved in essential services (search and rescue, emergency response, resupply) are identified as allowed under conditions.

If the source is unclear about a specific group or a particular route being affected, that uncertainty is reflected in the original notices.

Why it matters#

• The immigration instructions aim to reduce new arrivals and limit processing where travel is already restricted for public‑health reasons. That can slow or pause travel plans, work starts, or school enrolments for people who need visas or eTAs.
• The passenger vessel order is meant to limit the movement of people by sea to reduce COVID‑19 spread. It can disrupt regular ferry services and passenger boat travel, but it includes clear paths for essential services (healthcare access, resupply, emergency response) to continue under safety conditions.
• Both measures are temporary emergency steps tied to the pandemic and carry enforcement tools (including fines for vessel breaches). They show how federal authorities balanced public‑health goals with keeping critical services running.