Travel restrictions in Canada

Are you unsure of how COVID-19 may affect your travel arrangements to Canada? In order to keep you informed as you make your journey to Canada, we're bringing you the most recent COVID-19 travel news, requirements, and new immigration laws, whether you're an international student or a new COPR-holder, or simply wish to visit family and friends.

Travel limitations

• As of June 20, 2022, individuals will no longer need to have completed their vaccinations in order to board any type of federally regulated transportation in Canada, including planes, trains, and automobiles. This holds true for all domestic and international travel. Masks are still required, though.
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children aged 5 to 11 who are accompanied by a parent, stepparent, guardian, or tutor who is completely vaccinated will no longer be required as of April 25, 2022.
• Travellers 12 years of age and older who are currently qualified to enter Canada will still be subject to pre-entry exams. A COVID-19 test result is not required for children under the age of five.
• All travellers who have completed their vaccinations will also no longer be needed to present a quarantine plan upon admission. Additionally, this requirement will no longer apply to travellers who have a medical contraindication to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination and minors aged 5 to 11 who are travelling with a parent, stepparent, guardian, or tutor who is completely immunized.
• Additionally, travellers who are completely immunized and enter Canada on or after April 25, 2022, won't have to comply with the following federal requirements for 14 days after their arrival:
• wear a mask when in public places;
• track them and let you know if they
• Fully immunized travellers won't require a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada starting on April 1, 2022. Travellers who have received all recommended vaccinations can still be required to undergo a COVID-19 molecular test when they enter Canada.
• The temporary COVID-19 restrictions for Canadians with Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs), which were first put into effect on August 24, 2020, have been extended until February 28, 2023. Through this programme, foreign nationals with a valid TRV who receive a job offer can apply for an employer-specific work permit without leaving Canada. A temporary work authorization might be available to people who have had a work permit within the last 12 months.
• Canada will ease on-arrival testing for travellers who are completely immunized beginning on February 28, 2022:
• Travellers with all necessary vaccinations will be chosen at random for testing (quarantine will not be required while waiting for test results)
• When travelling with properly immunized adults, children under the age of 12 are free from quarantine.
• Travellers who are unvaccinated must still undergo testing upon arrival, on Day 8, and during the 14-day quarantine period.
• Entry prerequisites Now, travellers can use:
• A positive COVID-19 fast antigen test result (taken the day before an anticipated flight, arrival at a land border, or port of entry by boat); or
• A result of a molecular test (must be taken no more than 72 hours before scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry)

From Level 3 to Level 2, Canada's Travel Health Notice will apply to international passenger flights.

• As of August 9, 2021, if a person has proof of having had all necessary vaccinations, they do not need to be travelling for a non-discretionary reason. Those who aren't completely immunized must be travelling for a non-discretionary reason.
• Fully immunized foreign nationals will be permitted to enter Canada as of September 7, 2021, for discretionary (non-essential) purposes. They must, however, follow certain guidelines.
• Vaccinations will be necessary for all international and domestic travel beginning on November 30, 2021. (Pre-entry Molecular or PCR tests are no longer acceptable in place of immunization unless an exemption applies.) However, upon arrival at the airport where they land, all passengers, including Canadian citizens and permanent residents, will be forced to take a COVID test.
• All Canadians returning from brief travels (less than 72 hours) will have to undergo a molecular pre-entry test starting on December 21, 2021. The exam needs to be completed outside of Canada.
• As of January 15, 2022, foreign nationals who are either unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated will only be permitted to enter Canada if they meet the requirements for limited exceptions, which apply to a number of groups, including those who work in agriculture and food processing, the military, those who enter on humanitarian grounds, new permanent residents, refugees resettling in Canada, and some children under the age of 18.
• Unvaccinated travellers who are exempt will still need to pass tests, go through quarantine, and meet other entrance criteria. Non-exempt foreign nationals who are unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated will not be allowed admission into Canada.

Who is permitted to enter Canada during COVID-19?

The majority of foreign nationals were impacted by Canada's previous travel prohibition, although there were a few exceptions. Foreign citizens with entrance authorization, such as holders of Canadian work permits and international students with study visas, were permitted access into Canada. Those who had a written permit from the IRCC could also visit Canada if they had a mandatory purpose for doing so.

Except for those who are exempt, only travellers who are completely immunized and have had all recommended vaccinations are permitted to enter Canada as of January 15.

If you are a Canadian citizen (including dual citizens) or a permanent resident of Canada, you may enter the country.

• A member of the immediate family of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is travelling to Canada for non-optional reasons.
• A long-term partner or member of the extended family of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who requested formal permission from IRCC.
• A member of the immediate family of a temporary resident (foreign worker, international student, etc.) who requested written permission from the IRCC.
• A temporary employee having a work permit in good standing or who has been granted a work permit but has not yet received it.
•  An international student who has a current letter of introduction or a study permit. Attending a designated learning institution (DLI) on the list of authorised institutions is required (schools that have a COVID-19 readiness plan).

A person who has a valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and is residing outside of the United States. a holder of a valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), who is not a citizen of the United States and who was granted a COPR before March 18, 2020, 12 p.m. EDT, and who intends to move permanently to Canada.

A COPR holder travelling to Canada to establish themselves permanently who is residing in the United States and whose COPR was approved at any time (including after March 18, 2020).A visitor from outside Canada who comes here for humanitarian purposes, such as to attend a funeral or care for an elderly Canadian.

Are you now concerned about requesting a visa for Canada? It's reasonable that you might be cautious about starting a new, life-changing endeavour like working, studying, or coming to Canada given the recent uncertainties and constantly shifting legislation. 

The good news is that Canada is still accepting and processing applications, has extended deadlines and modified a few standards to support international candidates while safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Canadians and permanent residents at a time when it is very important to do so.

Even better, Canada's widespread immunization programmes are effectively flattening the curve, and it is highly possible that the travel prohibition would be eliminated by the time your application is accepted. Immigration programme application processing periods normally last a few months, with the Express Entry system and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot having the fastest processing times of six months.

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