Given the COVID pandemic, I think IRCC is being very lenient about expiring CoPRs and PR visas. From their point of view, it’s better for them that people don’t travel during pandemic and they will support extensions etc. The general process seems to be:
- You let IRCC know through webform that you cannot travel
- They will note it and probably put a pin on your application (nothing negative, just that they will review it again in 60 days). I explained this in a earlier post
- Once you are ready to travel, you inform them and they will issue new CoPR and PR visa (? haven’t heard from anyone but I’m guessing it largely resembles the PPR step).
It’s important to note that unless you absolutely need to land, it’s better to defer since it has no negative impact on your applications. In fact, it might be easier on you because you won’t need to self-isolate (especially if you don’t have a support system already in place in Canada), and it may be easier to look for jobs when companies lift their hiring-freeze.
I have however, heard several people mention that “soft” landing is now not allowed (non-essential), or at least this is what CBSA said. This is understandable, since incoming are expected to self-isolate. In any case, there is not such thing as “soft” landing in the eyes of CBSA w.r.t. immigration.
Also, applicants approved before March 18th are exempt, rest are not. If you’re moving permanently and not flagpoling, in many cases they will let you in. I have also read anecdotal evidence that land crossings are more strictly enforced than air crossings, however don’t quote me on that.
More details here, I encourage you to read the whole thing: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/travel-restrictions-exemptions.html