News/Press
Border Restrictions Easing: changes for American entrants
The Public Health Agency of Canada has announced that on August 9th fully vaccinated citizens of the US and permanent residents of the US currently residing in the US, will be permitted to enter Canada for non essential, that is tourism, reasons.
On September 7th that announcement on quarantine exemptions may or may not be extended to travellers from any country fully vaccinated with Canadian Government-approved vaccines.
However that notice deals with future quarantine exemptions for visitors who remain barred for non essential reasons;
For now applicants are subject to the rules on quarantine exemptions pronounced July 20 and valid to August 21; the travel ban and the quarantine rules are separate issues:
The travel ban:
The latest Order in council prohibiting entry from any country other than the United States issued 20 July 2021 and valid to 21 August 2021 continues to ban entry unless specifically exempted from the travel ban; work permit holders and persons authorized, in writing, to obtain their work permit at the Port of Entry are exempt.
By filing the package online applicants wait for visa office approval and issuance of the authorizing letters for the work permits, to enter Canada directly from Europe.
However they could apply at a Canadian Port of Entry by flying into the US and then to Canada. The Policy Guideline “Work permit : COVID 19 program” states as follows:
“The exemption from the travel restrictions for workers travelling from a country other than the US only applies to work permit holders and those approved for a work permit in advance of arrival
Since foreign nationals need a work permit or approval to board an aircraft those who are normally allowed to apply at the Port of entry per subsection 198(1) cannot do so as their travel is restricted
If the foreign national is exempt from the travel restrictions based on another exemption (for example accompanying a Canadian citizen family member or TRAVELLING DIRECTLY FROM UNITED STATES they may still apply at the Port of Entry as long as their travel is considered non discretionary.”
Therefore that is an option, but the online application is preferred for the assurance that the work permit is authorized in advance of travelling.
The latest quarantine rules remain: double vaccinated travellers who have been vaccinated with government of Canada approved vaccinations; must provide a negative test within 72 hours of their flight; take another test on arrival; and have a quarantine plan in place if required. There is no longer a requirement for prepaid hotel bookings at government approved hotels or 14 days of quarantine .
We anticipate further changes as of August 22.
