Latest update: 1:14 p.m. EST, June 8, 2020.
Family reunification: Canada is relaxing some travel restrictions for immediate family members* of Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking to enter Canada. Previously, immediate family members of citizens and PRs could only enter Canada if they could demonstrate that their travel was essential, but this requirement will be lifted as of 11:59pm EST, June 8. (Source: CBSA)
According to CBSA, immediate family members who do not have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19 will now “be exempt from the prohibition on entry to Canada if entering to be with an immediate family member for a period of at least 15 days.” The loosening of restrictions follows mounting public pressure after several high-profile incidents of family members being separated in different countries.
*The following types of family members are considered “immediate”:
- the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
- a dependent child of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
- a dependent child of a dependent child;
- the parent or step-parent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner; or
- the guardian or tutor of the person.
Border closures: Canada has closed its borders to the vast majority of foreign nationals. Ports of Entry, both at airports and at the Canada-U.S. border have been closed to most individuals who wish to enter. Border restrictions with the U.S. are scheduled until at least June 21 (Source: Globe and Mail) and all other international travel restrictions are scheduled until at least June 30 (source: Order in Council). However, extensions of these travel restrictions are expected if the public health crisis is not under control.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published official guidelines for the border closure throughout the month of March. The vast majority of foreign nationals are barred from entering Canada at this time, but there are a number of exemptions to the travel ban. The following groups can cross the border into Canada whether by air or by land:
- Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents;
- immediate family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents;
- temporary workers who hold a valid work permit or who are approved for a work permit but have not yet been issued the work permit (please note that flagpoling is not permitted at this time, refer below for more details);
- IEC participants must have a valid job offer in order to enter, this job offer does not need to be in an essential sector (confirmed by a trusted legal source in communication with IRCC);
- international students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020;
- permanent resident applicants who had been approved for permanent residence before 12pm EDT on March 18, 2020, but who had not yet traveled to Canada.