Category: Canada

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Canada from India

Travel limitations imposed by COVID-19, as well as airline cancellations from India to Canada, have prompted many immigrants to postpone their intentions to relocate to Canada or visit relatives. With the India-Canada airline ban now removed, here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip from India to Canada.

When will the suspension of direct flights between Canada and India be lifted?

Following a five-month hiatus, Transport Canada stated that direct flights between India and Canada would resume on September 27, 2021. (after 11:59 pm EST on September 26).

💡Tips: Before arranging your trip, check the Transport Canada website for any updates on travel warnings, including flight service from India.

At current time, who can go from India to Canada?

If you match any of the following conditions, you can travel from India to Canada:

• If you are a Canadian legal resident, a person registered under the Indian Act of Canada, a permanent resident (PR) or a protected person, you are eligible to apply (refugee status)
• If you have a valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), a valid work permit (with confirmation of approval) and a job offer, or a study permit from an authorized Designated Learning Institution (DLI): you are eligible.
• If you are a foreigner who has been completely immunized with a vaccination licensed in Canada and are traveling for necessary or discretionary reasons,
• If you are visiting direct family members who are Canadian legal resident, permanent residents, or foreign employees on a temporary basis.

💡Tips: Border controls are subject to change in accordance with Government advice and legislation. Before finalizing trip plans, please ensure that you are eligible to enter Canada.

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What are the prerequisites for entering Canada on a direct flight from India?

Passengers on a direct trip from India to Canada must satisfy the following requirements:

• At Genestrings Laboratoryn in New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, obtain a negative COVID-19 molecular test, which is commonly known as an RT-PCR test. Only tests from this laboratory are now acceptable, even if your flight originated in another location in India.
• Before you board your flight, you must show the airline employees the negative test report obtained by Genestrings Laboratory.
• This COVID-19 test must be completed no sooner than 18 hours before your time of departure.
• Travelers must update their information on the ArriveCAN application or website, including vaccination records and quarantine plans, among other things (different from the Arrive app for newcomers)
• Face masks will be compulsory for all passengers on flights and in airports.

Airlines will not let passengers who do not satisfy these conditions to board the plane. There are few exceptions for travelers who have already tested positive and recovered with COVID-19.

How can I schedule a COVID-19 test at Delhi International Airport?

A COVID-19 RT-PCR test at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi can be booked online. You must pick the “RT-PCR” test and reserve a time slot. You will be asked to give basic personal details, along with proof of identity and flight information. Each test will incur a charge of INR 500 (about $8.50 CAD). Within 8 to 10 hours, you will be delivered the test result, which can also be prioritized based on your departure time.

You can choose a speedier COVID-19 molecular test as well, which costs INR 4,900 (about $82 CAD) and provides a result in 60 – 90 minutes.

At the moment, only direct flights from New Delhi are authorized into Canada. If you are traveling from another Indian city, you must allow enough time in New Delhi to get your COVID-19 exam results.

Is a molecular test required if I have earlier recovered from COVID-19?

If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you must show a positive molecular test result, provided by an Indian accredited laboratory. The positive result must be measured using samples taken 14 to 180 days before your anticipated journey to Canada.

If you feel you’ve had COVID-19 in the past but don’t have a positive test result, you won’t be qualified for the exemption. You will need to have a COVID-19 RT-PCR test result from Genestrings Laboratory in Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Is it necessary for me to be completely immunized against COVID-19 before entering Canada?

Foreigners who have not been completely vaccinated with a vaccine licensed in Canada will be permitted to enter the country only under limited situations. You can currently enter Canada regardless of your immunization status when you:

• Are a Canadian permanent resident or citizen
• Acquired a COPR
• Are an approved temporary foreign worker having a valid work permit and employment offer (unless your job belongs to a field that does not require a work permit)
• Are a foreign student who has a valid study permission from an authorized DLI

However, qualified travelers who are not completely vaccinated will be forced to follow Canada’s quarantine regulations.

At the moment, passengers who have not been completely vaccinated with a vaccination licensed in Canada will be denied entry into the country for discretionary or optional purposes. The AstraZeneca (or COVISHIELD) vaccine and the Bharat Biotech (or COVAXIN) vaccine are both authorized in Canada. As a result, if you have taken full doses of either of these vaccinations at least 14 days before your intended departure, you will be permitted to enter Canada for discretionary purposes.

What should I do if the vaccination I’ve been given isn’t licensed in Canada?

If you’ve gotten a vaccination that isn’t licensed in Canada, you’ll be able to enter the country only if you’re a Canadian citizen, PR, COPR holder, or have a valid work or study visa. 

Please note that COVAXIN (Bharat Biotech vaccine) has been licensed by Health Canada as of November 30, 2021. You will be considered completely vaccinated if you have gotten both doses of COVAXIN.

Will I have to go through quarantine when I arrive in Canada from India?

International visitors arriving in Canada by air must follow quarantine procedures at least until they get their initial post-arrival COVID-19 test results. During this time, you will need to update your information on ArriveCAN app on a regular basis.

You are exempt from the 14-day quarantine duration in case you have been completely immunized with a vaccination licensed in Canada. You will, however, need to do a post-arrival COVID-19 RT-PCR tests in addition to the pre-departure COVID-19 exam. You will be expected to remain in quarantine until your COVID-19 test results are negative.

In case you have not been completely immunized with a vaccination licensed in Canada, you will be quarantined for 14 days. In addition to the pre-departure COVID-19 tests, you will be required to complete two more COVID-19 RT-PCR tests after arrival, on Day 1 and Day 8. If your Day-8 COVID-19 molecular test results are negative, you will be able to leave quarantine on Day-15 following your arrival in Canada.

💡Tips: If you are an overseas student visiting Canada during the COVID-19 epidemic, check to see whether or not your Designated Learning Institute has made preparations for students to quarantine.

Is it possible for me to go from India to Canada via a third country?

You may still take an indirect flight from India to Canada. If you enter Canada through a third country, you must present a pre-departure negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result acquired in the stop-over nation within 72 hours after your departure to Canada.

What procedures are there for people traveling from India to Canada via a third country?

Keep the following in mind when creating an itinerary that includes an indirect route to Canada:

• Within 72 hours of your intended departure to Canada, you must complete a pre-departure COVID-19 molecular test in the third nation. You will only be allowed to board planes if your test results are negative. The findings of COVID-19 tests performed in India will not be accepted for travelers traveling to Canada via a third country.
• Some nations may impose entrance or transit restrictions on people arriving from India.
• For the third nation, you may need a transit or travel visa. Before making any airline reservations, make sure to verify the visa requirements of your stop-over location.
• COVID-19 testing may not be offered for people in transit at all international airports. If you arrive in Canada via a third country that does not provide COVID-19 testing for transit passengers, you will need to depart the airport and maybe arrange for housing while you wait for your COVID-19 test results.
• If you test positive while traveling, you may be required to follow quarantine laws imposed by the third nation or return to your original port of departure.

Is it possible for me to fly to Canada in case my CoPR has expired?

Many people have been unable to travel because to continued COVID-19 travel restrictions. If your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) has expired while you are awaiting the lifting of the travel restrictions and airline ban, you will need to get your CoPR renewed.

You will not be allowed to enter Canada if your travel documents are expired. Before purchasing airline tickets or making trip plans, double-check the validity of your CoPR. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will contact all persons whose CoPR has expired to see if they are still able and willing to travel to Canada, and will reissue papers as necessary.

Whether you’re an Indian newcomer hoping to start a new life in Canada as a permanent resident, or an international student or foreign worker with ambitions to work in Canada, you may plan your relocation to Canada now that the flight ban has been removed. Before making travel plans, visit the Government of Canada’s travel website for the most up-to-date information on travel restrictions, quarantine procedures, immunization, and COVID-19 testing process.

Newcomers in Canada – The First Three Months

Newcomers in Canada can have challenging first three months. However, you have been waiting for this for so long and your time has finally come. In this article, we will guide you on how to face these challenges and settle down more comfortably. There is nothing easier than being prepared when you are a newcomer in Canada.

If you are immigrating to Canada through the SINP draw, you will be landing in Saskatchewan and completing all the formalities. Similarly, if you have been selected through any province, you will have to land in the same province and look for employment.

Job Search for Newcomers in Canada

Individuals who are lucky to have LMIA and immigrate to Canada will join the office immediately after landing. Alternatively, if you do not have employment in Canada, you must begin looking for a job soon after landing. The Canadian government has established settlement organizations, which are present in all localities.

These local settlement organizations help newcomers in Canada to look for appropriate jobs and prepare resumes suitable for Canadian employers. You can find these organizations using the Immigrant Services Map on CIC official website.

Recruitment & Employment: Tips on Getting Hired As a Newcomer

Settling Down as a Newcomer in Canada

Breaking the Language Barriers

All new immigrants need to settle down smoothly and that includes looking for a home and a school for the children. However, the first thing is the language barrier. The official languages of Canada are English and French. In case you are not fluent in any one of them, you need to improve immediately. English and French language classes are available for all newcomers to Canada and they are free to take.

Looking for a Home

Naturally, you will need to look for a home to buy or rent. Usually, newcomers to Canada rent a home and many reliable websites help in the matter. If you have enough finances to buy a home, it is always the better option. However, new immigrants prefer renting a basement in the beginning and eventually move to an apartment. After that, when they have a stable job, they move to good neighborhoods and rent or buy a house. You can choose what you wish to do depending on your financial standing and what is best for you and your family.

Registering Your Children in a School

The Canadian school is unique and very accommodating for newcomers in Canada. You need to register your children in a school that falls in your area. Again, your local settlement organization can help you identify which school will register your child.

Keep in mind that these services are for local schools in the area. When it comes to private schools, it will cost more and the parents are responsible for what is being taught. The public schools follow the same curriculum.

Getting a Driver’s License

Getting a driver’s license is essential for life in Canada. Although the country has top-quality public transport, driving is a need for all Canadians. The requirements of getting a license from any province will differ from each other. However, once you get the license, it is valid for the rest of the country.

The costs and fees of obtaining a driver’s license also differ in all provinces. You may consider getting driving lessons ahead of your driving test. However, these lessons will come at an additional cost. It is always a good idea to appear for the driving test prepared as each time it will cost. Additionally, as a newcomer in Canada, finances are usually scarce.

Find a Healthcare Centre

You and each of your family members will receive a government health insurance card. Once you get that, look for a healthcare center nearby or find a doctor. Once you do, go for a medical checkup and vaccination update. This is especially important for children and older family members.

Learn about Your Rights as a Canadian

It is important that you learn about your rights and responsibilities as a Canadian citizen. You will have rights as a tenant, as a civilian, as a student, and as an employee. Know all of them so no one tries to misuse them against you.

Moreover, make sure you know your responsibilities as a Canadian citizen. Anything you do unintentionally could lead to trouble with the law. Therefore, it is as important to learn about your responsibilities towards the country and its citizens.

Post COVID opportunities in Canada and expectations

Post-COVID opportunities in Canada are what every job seekers and international students are eagerly waiting for! It’s been almost seven months since Canada closed for foreign nationals. Though we have seen Express Entry draws and PNP draws not like the way it is supposed to be on a normal time.

As a part of economic impact, Canada has recorded a record down graph in employment since February this year. The report says its 15.7% which is nearly 2 million jobs provided StatCan.

The same goes for the immigration process. Before this Pandemic Canada’s immigration target was 341,000 in 2020. But they have just been able to fulfill 128,400 in between Jan-Aug of 2020. Just in Aug Canada welcomed 11,315 new permanent residents which are well short of the nearly 31,600 immigrants it welcomed in Aug 2019.

Economically there’s no data but certainly, Canada is losing a huge amount. So far we all know Canada’s economy is primarily based on their immigration policies. Due to COVID19 Canada shuts its door to International Students and not allowing them to travel in Canada. Because of that, a large number of students who intend to study abroad were diverted to Europian countries like the UK.

How things are going on!

Now the things are changing as the lockdown lifted over the provinces post-COVID opportunities in Canada is growing gradually.

Canada took numerous efforts to overcome the situation. The facilitate International Students in many ways. From online classes and without affecting their post-graduate work permits.

What we have seen for the past few months Canada still working on immigration for those who applied electronically or with help of immigration consultants. Application for Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs never stopped. Even during the COVID19 lockdown period Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) was working and accepting online applications for immigration and work permits.

Why Canada desperately need Immigrants?

The influx of people into Canada “an engine” of economic growth.

According to Mendicino “Welcoming more newcomers will help to address the demographic challenges of an aging population and to compete and win in a competitive global marketplace.”

Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic has placed the country on an unexpected detour that will have repercussions for decades, according to analysts

“We need to be thinking about how we can turn our immigration system back on. We can’t just go into this turtling, not letting people in, because it’s such an important piece of our growth,” Andrew Agopsowicz, a senior economist at RBC Capital Markets, said.

International students now compose 25 percent of the University of Toronto’s student body. If 20 percent decided not to study in Canada this year, the university could see a $200-million funding shortfall in a $3-billion budget.

The latest research on the global population decline predicts Canada can be a prominent immigration hub in the next 80 years.

Immigration policy helps Canada to become one of the largest economies. Canada’s current openness to immigration must continue if the country wants to maintain one of the world’s largest economies for the rest of the century, according to a new study projecting global population and economic trends between now and 2100.

It forecasts that the global population will peak in 2064 at 9.73 billion people. By 2100 – less than two generations later – that number will be nearly one billion lower, and nearly three-quarters of the 195 nations included in the study will not be producing enough children to maintain their workforces.

“As long as these immigration policies continue, our reference scenario showed sustained population growth and workforce expansion … with concomitant economic growth,” the researchers wrote.

So far we can see from various analytics and research that Canada needs immigrants to continue their economy. Now the global population decline also plays an important part in it.

Measures were so far taken by the Govt. ?

Canada is trying hard to make things normal as they have already done a few changes in their usual policy. Early this month IRCC announced that those who are in visitor visas within Canada can apply for the work permit. That makes sense as offices and shops are opening the shortage of workers will be there as well as people in visitor visas can’t bear their living costs within the money.

Though Federal Govt. took measures like providing Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA.

The CERB gives financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. If you are eligible, you can receive $2,000 for 4 weeks (the same as $500 a week).

Now it has ended so people need work to continue and we’re GreenTech Resources working on it to provide workforce and make the economy back to normal. To make it easy we’re soon about to launch a job portal that will give Job seekers and Employers a perfect platform to communicate.