Filipiniana News
– February 2020
by
Maria Deanna P. Santos
In the past few weeks, we have been
inundated by news and other articles related to the coronavirus disease which
started in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China and which has infected more than 45,000
and killed more than 1,000 people to date.
In Canada, there were only a handful of persons who were confirmed to
have contracted the disease (4 in BC and 3 in Ontario). Thankfully, all confirmed cases in Canada are
on their way to recovery and there are no signs that the disease is spreading
as rapidly as it is in Hubei province and surrounding areas in China.
Nonetheless, the relatively low number of
affected cases in Canada had not prevented the spread of misleading information
and/or discriminatory treatment of people who are from China or who are at
least perceived to be Chinese. In fact,
many Filipinos with perceived ‘Chinese physical features’ have also reportedly been
the subject of discriminatory practices arising from the coronavirus outbreak.
It is clearly unjust to shun all Chinese
people or to avoid all Chinese establishments for fear that they will pass on
the coronavirus simply by virtue of their being Chinese. This type of thinking and attitude is not
only discriminatory but also exhibit a careless disregard for others. It ignores the reality that the Chinese people
are in fact hardest hit by this disease and are thus the ones who need most of
our help and compassion.
As in most everything else, ignorance often
breeds contempt and undue panic or fear.
Hence, the best way to protect ourselves from the virus is to learn more
about its nature, how it is transmitted and what we can do to prevent
contracting the same.
In coordination with the World Health
Organization and the rest of the world, we are thankful that Canada is doing
its part to find solutions to this medical pandemic and in protecting Canadians
and all other people worldwide from this disease.
Aside from sending back Canadians and
permanent residents who were trapped in the epicentre of the coronavirus
outbreak, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had recently
introduced special measures aimed at helping others who have been or will be
affected by this health emergency.
Since Canadian visa offices in China are operating
with essential staff and 11 visa application centres in mainland China have
been closed temporarily, the IRCC had announced the following temporary
measures effective 7 February 2020 and until further notice (as published in the
IRCC website):
Permanent Residents
“Permanent resident visa holders will be able to request an extension
of their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) if
- they have been approved for immigration
to Canada and have a COPR
- their visa will expire within the next
90 days
- they are unable to travel to Canada
Applicants will need to contact IRCC by submitting a web form and
explaining the reason they are unable to travel to Canada within the validity
of their visa. These requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Permanent residents who need a permanent resident travel
document to urgently travel to Canada can email the Canadian visa
office in China at beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca.”
Canadian Citizens
“Those who are scheduled to take
the Oath of Citizenship, but are unable to travel to
Canada, will not miss the opportunity to attend a ceremony. They will be
rescheduled for a later date.”
Temporary Resident or Permanent Resident Applicants
Abroad
“Applicants who have an urgent case, or who need to
urgently travel to Canada, can email the Canadian visa office in China at beijing-immigration@international.gc.ca for
assistance.
People who have applied for a visitor visa, a work
permit, a study permit or for permanent residence, but who cannot complete the
next steps in the process on time due to the situation in mainland China, will
not have their application refused solely on the basis of not completing these
requests.
Examples of the next steps include
- submitting their
passport or supporting documents, such as a police certificate
- completing an
immigration medical examination
- giving their
biometrics
More time (extensions) will automatically be provided to
applicants in these situations. Once it is possible to provide these required documents,
applicants are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to avoid further delays.
Those affected by the travel restrictions and who want to
withdraw their temporary residence application must complete a web form. Refunds will be provided to people
who withdraw their application within 24 hours of submitting, provided no
processing has started.”
Temporary Residents (Visitors, Students or Workers) Unable
to Leave Canada
“Visitors, international students and foreign workers
whose legal status in Canada will soon end, but cannot travel to mainland China
due to travel restrictions, can apply for an extension, if eligible.
People whose legal status in Canada has expired may be
able to restore their status or apply for a temporary resident permit.”
As
always, this article is meant for information purposes only and not as specific
legal advice.
The author is a Filipino-Canadian immigration
lawyer and may be reached at deanna@santoslaw.ca
or tel. nos. 416-901-8497 and
905-554-7529.
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