Canada is slowly emerging from lockdown, as shops and restaurants reopen their doors. The property market is also restarting and, while travel is still restricted, the country is planning ahead and continuing to issue thousands of invitations for immigration applications.
Coronavirus restrictions slowly lift
After going into lockdown in March, Canada’s provinces and territories are all slowly starting to reopen. Largely speaking, beaches, parks and outdoor fitness spaces are all reopen – just in time to enjoy the sunny weather – and people are allowed to meet each other in small ‘bubbles’.
Restaurants and cafés offering a patio and terrace service are mainly open, too, with plans in most provinces for indoor service to resume from late June or July.
In some places, like New Brunswick, personal services have now reopened (with some long queues for the hairdressers).
Country-wise, sensible social distancing precautions are still in place, including maintaining distance when queuing and wearing masks as much as possible in enclosed spaces where distancing is not possible.
Cases so far seem to be declining, and are currently at around the same levels they were in late March.
How do you access medical attention abroad and what is healthcare in Canada like? Find out the answers in our Healthcare Guide.
Coronavirus cases in Canada seem to be slowly declining.
Immigration applications continue apace
Travel might still be restricted, but there’s nothing stopping you from starting the process of applying for a move to Canada. As our article on visas explains, the process usually begins with submitting a profile through the Express Entry system. Your profile is ranked on a points-based system and, if you’re in the ‘top set’, then you will receive an invitation to apply.
The Canadian government certainly isn’t letting the pandemic get in the way of issuing invitations, sending out over 3,500 in the draw on Thursday 28th May. As has been the trend for quite some time, the total qualifying score was very low, at just 440 CRS.
Not only that, but the total number of invitations has broken through last year’s record – so there is every reason to seize the chance and start preparing for a move later this year.
Still have questions? Call the Resource Centre on 020 7898 0549 or [email protected].
What are the rules on travel?
Currently, the borders are closed for non-essential travel, including the land border with the US. If you do arrive in Canada during this stage of the lockdown, you need to provide your passenger information on the ArriveCAN app, or a paper alternative, and you must quarantine for fourteen days.
The Canadian government certainly isn’t letting the pandemic get in the way of issuing invitations, sending out over 3,500 in the draw on Thursday 28th May.
Airlines are ready to start adding more routes as soon as restrictions are lifted, according to industry spokespeople, and land crossings from the US are likely to be possible from 21st June, so we are confident that things will begin to pick up soon!
The Canada Buying Guide takes you through each stage of the property buying process, with practical recommendations from our experts who have been through the process themselves. The guide will help you to:
