Can you travel to Canada with the new travel exemption updates?

Some big updates as we head into the weekend. The Canadian borders have been on strict lockdown since COVID-19 started terrorizing the nation back on March 18, 2020. While there has been some loosening of these to allow immediate family members, some workers and students to travel, we have seen very limited exemptions.

IRCC has made some big announcements on the loosening of the travel restrictions. Keep on reading to find out if you fit the criteria and can travel to Canada.

Here’s what we know:

• During a press conference in Ottawa, Marco Mendicino stated that extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents would be able to enter Canada as of October 8, 2020.

• As of October 20, 2020, international students enrolled at a Canadian DLI will able to enter Canada as long as their school has a readiness plan that has been evaluated by the province. Those that are approved are allowed to welcome international students.

• Foreign nationals entering Canada for compassionate reasons, such as a funeral, will be able to apply for a travel exemption.

Did you apply for a study or work permit from outside of Canada but were in Canada at the time?

In most cases, in order to obtain a study or work permit, you must apply to the outside visa office. If you are currently in Canada and have received a letter of introduction for a work (this includes IEC) or study permit, you are eligible to have your permits issued from within Canada.

As a result of COVID-19, most people in this situation would leave Canada and re-enter, often referred to as “flagpole” As applicants have been unable to do this due to the travel restrictions and the halting of processing permits at the borders, a process has been created to issue the document. This process will be in place until March 31, 2021.