To protect Canadians from the outbreak of COVID 19, travel restrictions applied by the Prime Minister to limit travel to Canada. Until further notice, most people cannot travel to Canada, even if they have a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
These restrictions stop all non-essential (discretionary) travel to Canada.
Who can enter Canada
- Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent resident, people registered under Canada’s Indian Act, protected persons, foreign national who is coming for an essential (non-discretionary) purpose from the United States (U.S.)
- foreign national who is coming for an essential (non-discretionary) purpose from a country other than the U.S. and are exempt from the travel restrictions (see Exemptions to the travel restrictions for more information)
Exemptions to the travel restrictions:
- If you’re an international student who has a valid study permit, or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, you’re exempt from the travel restrictions.
- Some temporary workers are exempt from travel restrictions if they’re coming for an essential (non-discretionary) purpose.
- some approved permanent residents
- immediate family members of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident (see below for more information)
- immediate family members with written authorization from the Government of Canada to reunite with a family member living temporarily in Canada (see below for more information)
- transiting passengers (must remain in a Canadian airport to complete their connection)
- members of the Canadian forces, visiting forces, Department of National Defence and their immediate family members
- accredited diplomats and immediate family members (includes North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], those under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, other organizations)
- air and marine crew members
- French citizens who live in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and have been in only Canada, the U.S. or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon during the 14 days before the day they seek to enter Canada
Notes:
- If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check conducted by an airline before you’ll be allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air. When you arrive in Canada, we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry.
- You must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms.
