Updates to travel exemptions- March 22, 2020.
As we all work together to tackle the current circumstances, it is difficult to know what's coming next. The Government of Canada is continuously announcing new changes, and impacts on Canadian immigration processing.
Here’s the latest on what you need to know:
Application Processing
The Government of Canada continues to accept new applications and the processing of all applications at this time. Due to COVID-19, there may be an impact on processing times.
No applications will be closed or refused due to a lack of documentation or inability to complete requests from the Canadian Government.
Travel Restrictions
Canada's travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020 and end on June 30, 2020 at noon EDT.
The basic rule is that foreign nationals are prohibited from boarding an aircraft for a flight to Canada departing from any country other than the United States.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons continue to be permitted to board an aircraft subject to health screening measures.
Exemptions
Family Members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
Foreign nationals who are the immediate family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents will be permitted entry to Canada.
The definition of an immediate family member has been expanded to include the following:
Spouse
Common-law partner
Dependent Children (less than 22 years of age, or 22 or older and financially dependent due to a physical or mental condition)
Parents or stepparents
Guardian or tutor
Where the immediate family is a parent or stepparent, the foreign national child's age is not a factor, and there is no requirement to establish dependency.
The Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member's location is not a factor. They may be in Canada, in a third country, or accompanying the foreign national.
Travellers are expected to self-identify to airlines that they are exempt under this provision by providing supporting documentation to establish their family member’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and their relationship to that family member.
Recommended Documentation showing immediate family member’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status:
Canadian Passport
Canadian permanent resident card
Canadian permanent resident travel document
Visa-exempt foreign passport and an IRCC Special Authorization for Canadian Citizens
Recommended documentation showing relationship to that family member:
A marriage or common-law status certificate
A birth certificates
A Confirmation of Permanent Resident for Family Class
Other documents supporting an immediate family connection
Family Reunification
The order also exempts foreign nationals whose travel to Canada is authorized in writing by a consular officer in order to reunite family members. The foreign national's family member does not have to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but does have to be a resident in Canada.
For better clarity, if your family member residing in Canada is a worker, visitor, student or protected person, you may still be allowed to enter Canada.
Recommended Documentation
Global Affairs Canada will provide a letter to you confirming your eligibility for this exemption.
Other Exemptions
Temporary Foreign Workers
International Students who have a valid study permit or who were approved for a study permit before March 18, 2020
Foreign nationals who were approved for permanent residence before March 16, 2020
Protected Persons
People registered under Canada’s Indian Act
Foreign nationals travelling at the invitation of the Canadian Government for a purpose related to the containment of COVID-19
Transiting passengers
Workers, students and approved permanent residents who have not landed should not travel yet. Exemptions have been announced, but they are not yet in place.
Click here to view all Government issued information relating to Canada’s travel restrictions.
If you are impacted by the above, we will continue to provide as much support as possible to immigrants and their families. As the issue continues to evolve, we’ll share more updates.
Until then, from all of us at NextGen,
Stay Informed. Stay safe.