Travel restrictions & processing updates.
Air travel and border measures have been implemented since March 2020 to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons are permitted to board an aircraft and enter Canada, subject to health screening measures.
Foreign nationals departing to Canada from any other country than the United States must show that they meet one of the travel exemptions, and they are travelling to Canada for non-optional or non-discretionary reasons.
Jump to Section…
Temporary Residence Processing
Other Updates
Non-optional or Non-discretionary Travel Explained
Travel for option or discretionary purposes is broadly defined, some examples of discretionary or optional travel are:
to visit family for a vacation
for the birth of a grandchild, nephew, niece, cousin, etc. (For the parent of a child, this may be considered non-discretionary travel; however, it will still require assessment.)
to spend time at a secondary residence (vacation home, hunting or fishing lodge, etc.). This includes entry for upkeep or maintenance purposes.
to attend the funeral of a family member (This purpose of travel would be improbable due to quarantine measures and limits to the number of attendees at funerals under provincial restrictions.)
Some examples of travel for non-optional or non-discretionary travel are:
economic services and supply chains
Critical infrastructure support
health (immediate medical care), safety and security
supporting Indigenous communities
transiting through Canada for non-optional or non-discretionary purposes
studying in Canada if already approved for a study permit on or before March 18
tending to family matters for non-optional or non-discretionary purposes (such as bringing supplies to elderly parents or tending to sick family members) when there is no one else available in Canada to assist
any other activities that are deemed non-optional or non-discretionary by the Government of Canada or based on an officer’s assessment
Family Reunification Exemption & Non-Discretionary Travel
Family ties will not automatically qualify for the foreign national for non-optional or non-discretionary travel.
Examples of non-discretionary or non-optional travel for the purposes of family reunification are:
to take up full-time residence in Canada (this applies to prospective permanent residents as well as temporary residents who are seeking entry to Canada to live with immediate family members)
to care for an ill family member or a family member who is unable to care for themselves when no other arrangements can be made (the 14-day quarantine for travellers will be factored into whether the travel is discretionary)
for foreign national immediate family member(s) to spend the pandemic period with their Canadian citizen family member so they can help to ensure each other’s health, safety and well-being (This section is specifically to allow for the reunification of family members where it would be beneficial to all parties. This allows for families to be together during this difficult time.)
shared custody agreement across borders, as this would be complying with a court order
Quarantine Plan
All travellers will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days. They will be asked to provide evidence of a quarantine plan, such as:
Where they will stay
How they will get groceries and medications without going to the store
Whether there will be vulnerable people where they’re staying
This information is used to assess whether travel is for a non-optional or non-discretionary purpose.
Definition of Immediate Family Members
Spouses and common-law partners
Dependent children and any dependent children of their dependent children
Parents
Parent’s or step-parent’s spouse or common-law partner
A guardian or tutor (responsible for caring for a foreign national minor who is living apart from a parent for an extended period of time, for example, to attend secondary school in Canada)
Travel Restriction Exemptions
Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (those exempt under this category do not require written authorization to travel to Canada)
Family reunification (must obtain written authorization to travel to Canada)
International students
Temporary workers
Permanent resident visa holders
Accredited officials
Protected persons
National interest
Transit passengers
Crew members and foreign nationals entering Canada to become crew members
Members of the Canadian Forces or a visiting force as defined in section 2 of the Visiting Forces Act and the immediate family members of those members
Canadian citizens travelling on a foreign passport
To read more about the travel exemptions, click here.
Temporary Residence Processing
Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs)
Applicants can continue to apply for TRV's online. Paper applications are not being accepted. Only applicants who meet one of the exemption criteria and are travelling for non-discretionary purposes will be processed; this includes new applications and those with currently pending applications.
Applications submitted prior to the travel restrictions will be placed on hold and not processed until the applicant contacts IRCC at IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca to indicate how they meet the exemption and provide acceptable documentation.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Applicants can continue to apply online for eTAs; however, the manual processing of eTAs will be paused. If your application requires manual intervention by an officer, it will only be processed if the applicant meets the exemption criteria and is travelling for non-discretionary purposes. Applicants will be required to self-identify and submit documentation to show how they meet the exemption criteria through IRCC web form submission.
All applications submitted prior to the orders will be placed on hold until the applicant contains IRCC through the web form to indicate how they meet the travel exemptions and provide supporting documentation.
Study Permit
Applicants can continue to submit study permit applications. Applicants who are outside of Canada must apply online.
Applicants can continue to submit study permit extension applications from within Canada.
All foreign nationals outside of Canada with a study permit approved after March 18, 2020, will be sent instructions on when they can travel to Canada.
Work Permit
The following foreign nationals who are currently outside of Canada are not subject to Canada’s travel restrictions:
Foreign nationals who hold a valid work permit, including an open work permit.
Foreign nationals who received a positive decision from IRCC on a work permit but have not yet been issued the document. This includes foreign nationals who applied for an open work permit.
If the employer is subject to mandatory closure of non-essential businesses, the Border Services Officer must determine the foreign national is still admissible to Canada.
Applicants outside Canada can continue to submit work permit applications but must apply online. This includes those who are normally permitted to apply at the port of entry.
Applicants in Canada can continue to submit applications to extend or change their condition from within Canada. Certain applicants may still apply using paper applications if they meet one of the mandatory e-application requirements.
Temporary Residents in Canada Unable to Depart
There is no fee waiver for any temporary residence applications or extensions.
Foreign nationals who are in Canada and whose status will expire soon must apply for an extension. They must apply online and provide all fees, including biometrics, if applicable.
If you have submitted an extension prior to your expiry, you will benefit from implied status and can legally remain in Canada until a decision is made on your application. Expedited processing is not required.
Status Expired
If your status has expired and 90 days have not passed since the date of your expiry, you may apply for restoration of your status. If the requirements of restoration are met, the new status document will be mailed to you.
If 90 days have passed, the minister’s delegate will decide on the deposition of your case. The following decisions can be made:
Refer the case to an admissibility hearing
Issue a departure order
Allow the foreign national to remain.
Other Updates
IRCC client support centre has resumed calls. Agents will be available to take calls Monday through Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern Standard Time.
If you are looking to submit an application, and are seeking representation to support your immigration matter take advantage of our reduced fees. Fill out the form below or email us to get your free consultation today!