Latest news on Canadian Immigration - Suma Rao
April 20, 2020

Latest news on Canadian Immigration

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COVID-19 IMMIGRATION UPDATES

For the most updated news we direct you to government resources for up-to-date account of the current situation.
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. On April 18, the Government of Canada confirmed that the current closure of the border to all non-essential travel will be extended for at least another 30 days beyond the origin as the fight against COVID-19 continues in both countries.
Travel Ban: If you are currently in Canada, we advise against all non-essential travel outside of the country. Please note that all foreign nationals in Canada must maintain valid temporary status. A travel ban is in effect and applies to all foreign nationals, unless eligible for an exemption. The following foreign nationals are exempt from the travel ban:

  • Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.  “Immediate family member” means the spouse, common law partner, parent/grandparent, dependent child, the dependent child of the dependent child, guardian or tutor of the Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada.
  • Foreign nationals travelling from the United States if the purpose of travel is not “optional or discretionary” such as “tourism, recreation, or entertainment.” Some foreign nationals will be required to demonstrate that they have been in the U.S. for 14 days prior to seeking entry to Canada, and others will be exempt from this requirement.
  • Foreign nationals travelling from all other countries outside the U.S. who fall into an enumerated exemption. Among others, enumerated exemptions include foreign nationals who hold a valid work permit, hold a written work permit approval, hold a valid study permit, hold a written study permit approval issued before noon EST on March 18, 2020, or a person whose application for permanent residence was approved before noon EST on March 18, 2020. Some foreign nationals who have an immediate family member residing in Canada who is a work permit or study permit holder may be authorized by a designated official to enter Canada for the purposes of family reunification.
  • The travel ban does not apply to Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.

All individuals who are granted entry to Canada will also be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Note that any individual who exhibits symptoms of illness may be refused boarding by air carriers or entry to Canada at the border.