Due to the exceptional and fluid circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, information will be updated as soon as possible. We direct you to government resources for a fulsome and up-to-date account of the current situation.
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. If you are eligible for re-entry to Canada, it is recommended you return to Canada as soon as possible. Pursuant to the government announcement, the travel ban will take effect on March 18, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EDT.
Due to the ban, you cannot board a plane to Canada if you have been outside of Canada or outside the United States in the last 14 days, unless you are a Canadian Citizen, Canadian Permanent Resident, U.S. citizen or in transit to a 3rd country. It is not yet confirmed that the travel ban also applies to land border travel. To be clear, any foreign national who has resided in the U.S. for the last 14 days is not subject to this ban. This means that all individuals on H1B work visas, B1/B2 visas and other temporary statuses can continue to enter Canada. If they fly to Canada, they will be subject to 14 day self-isolation like all Canadians and permanent residents.
We recommend entering Canada by March 17, 2020, subject to all usual requirements. Note, immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents may not be subject to the ban.
If you have received a request to complete biometrics or a medical examination as part of an application with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and are unable to complete the request due to service interruptions, you may be granted a 90 day extension.
Please contact us for further information and specific questions.
