Travel to Canada and coronavirus (COVID-19): latest updates

The following types of family members are considered “immediate”:

• the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
• a dependent child of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
• a dependent child of a dependent child;
• the parent or step-parent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner; or
• the guardian or tutor of the person.

The following types of family members are considered to be ‘extended’ or ‘long-term couples’:

• an individual who is in an exclusive dating relationship with the person, has been in such a relationship for at least 1 year and has spent time in the physical presence of the person during the course of the relationship;
• a dependent child of the person in the exclusive dating relationship;
• a child of the person, of their spouse or common-law partner or of the person in the exclusive dating relationship;
• a dependent child of a child (that is, a grandchild);
• a sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
• a grandparent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner.

Canada’s borders are currently closed to many foreign nationals, although Canadian citizens and permanent residents are able to enter the country.

As well, there are several groups of people who are exempt from Canada’s travel restrictions. The following groups can cross the border into Canada whether by air or by land:

• Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents;
• immediate family members* of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents who are travelling to Canada for non-discretionary reasons;
• extended family members** and long-term partners** of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (or their partners) who apply for written authorization from IRCC;
• immediate family members* of temporary residents in Canada who receive written authorization from IRCC;
• temporary workers who hold a valid work permit or who are approved for a work permit but have not yet been issued the work permit (please note that flagpoling is not permitted at this time, refer below for more details);
• IEC participants who have not yet activated their work permits must have a valid job offer in order to enter, this job offer does not need to be in an essential sector (Source: IRCC);
• IEC participants who have already activated their work permits and were outside the country temporarily do not require a valid job offer in order to re-enter (Source: IRCC; note that anecdotal reports suggest airline staff and border officers may still deny entry without proof of a connection to Canada like employment, housing, or family);
• international students attending a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that is on the approved list (schools which have a COVID-19 readiness plan) and have either a valid study permit or a letter of introduction showing that they’ve been approved for a study permit (Source: IRCC);
• COPR-holders with a valid COPR who are residing in any country other than the United States and were approved for their COPR before 12pm EDT on March 18, 2020, and who are travelling to Canada to settle permanently (Source: IRCC);
• COPR-holders with a valid COPR who are residing in the United States and were approved on any date (even after March 18, 2020) and who are travelling to Canada to settle permanently (Source: IRCC);
• those granted special permission to enter for compassionate reasons.

There are a handful of other exceptional exemptions listed here.

(Sources: IRCC, Order in Council – U.S., Order in Council – International)

*The following types of family members are considered “immediate”:

• the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
• a dependent child of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
• a dependent child of a dependent child;
• the parent or step-parent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner; or
• the guardian or tutor of the person.

**The following types of family members are considered to be “extended” or “long-term couples”:

• an individual who is in an exclusive dating relationship with the person, has been in such a relationship for at least 1 year and has spent time in the physical presence of the person during the course of the relationship;
• a dependent child of the person in the exclusive dating relationship;
• a child of the person, of their spouse or common-law partner or of the person in the exclusive dating relationship;
• a dependent child of a child (that is, a grandchild);
• a sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
• a grandparent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner.

Immediate family members* of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents who are travelling to Canada for non-discretionary reasons can enter the country at this time.

Extended family members** and long-term partners** of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (or their partners) who apply for and receive written authorization from IRCC can enter Canada at this time.

Immediate family members* of temporary residents in Canada who apply for and receive written authorization from IRCC can enter Canada at this time.

*The following types of family members are considered “immediate”:

• the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
• a dependent child of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
• a dependent child of a dependent child;
• the parent or step-parent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner; or
• the guardian or tutor of the person.

**The following types of family members are considered to be “extended” or “long-term couples”:

• an individual who is in an exclusive dating relationship with the person, has been in such a relationship for at least 1 year and has spent time in the physical presence of the person during the course of the relationship;
• a dependent child of the person in the exclusive dating relationship;
• a child of the person, of their spouse or common-law partner or of the person in the exclusive dating relationship;
• a dependent child of a child (that is, a grandchild);
• a sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
• a grandparent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner.

Canada is still processing immigration applications for most immigration programs, with some delays and restrictions in place. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the tool for checking application processing times. Immigration applicants can now use this tool to check average processing times. Even with the updated tool, processing times are not available for many popular immigration programs.

If you do choose to travel to Canada at this time, there are strict requirements for entry. First, ensure that you are allowed to enter Canada (refer to the section above on who can and cannot enter at this time). If you meet an exemption to the travel restrictions, you will need the following in order to enter:

1. Entering by air — Pre-departure negative COVID-19 test: All travellers over five years of age arriving in Canada by air must show negative COVID-19 test results obtained no more than 72 hours prior to boarding their flight (or a positive COVID-19 test result from 14 to 90 days prior to boarding). Obtaining test results is the responsibility of the traveller. (Source: Government of Canada)
2. Entering by air — COVID-19 testing and mandatory hotel stay upon arrival: As of February 22, 2021, all air passengers arriving in Canada are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival (Source: Government of Canada). Then, while travellers wait for test results, they must quarantine in a government-authorized hotel for up to three days at their own expense. Travellers must reserve their hotel stay at a government-authorized hotel prior to boarding their flight.
3. Entering by land at the U.S. border — COVID-19 testing requirements: As of Monday, February 15, Canada requires all non-essential travellers crossing the land border into Canada from the United States to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the United States within 72 hours of crossing the border (or a positive test taken 14 to 90 days prior to arrival). As of February 22, travellers entering Canada at the land border will be required to take a COVID-19 upon arrival, as well as an additional COVID-19 test near the end of their 14-day quarantine period. (Source: Government of Canada)
4. All travellers — mandatory 14-day quarantine: Anyone entering Canada will be forced to enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine. You must prepare an isolation plan in advance of arrival in Canada detailing where and how you will complete your quarantine. This quarantine is being enforced and those breaking quarantine may be subject to fines and jail time. Certain exemptions will be made for essential workers and in certain compassionate situations (Source: IRCC). Select locations in Canada are trialing a new format for mandatory quarantine with reduced mandatory isolation combined with testing.
5. All travellers — ArriveCAN app: All those travelling to Canada by air must use the ArriveCAN app to submit information regarding their travel/contact info, quarantine plan, and COVID-19 self-assessment. As of February 22, 2021, travellers entering via the land border with the U.S. will also be required to use the ArriveCAN app (Source: Government of Canada).

There are no special measures in place to exempt individuals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 from any of the Canadian travel restrictions and requirements. Please be advised that only four airports in Canada are currently accepting international arrivals.

Yes. For several months now, Express Entry draws have continued throughout the pandemic. During COVID-19, many Express Entry draws have been exclusive to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and those with provincial nominations. More information here.

Yes. As of March 1, the 2021 IEC season is open for many countries. New COVID-19 measures have been introduced. Full details in our Working Holiday Newshub.

Yes. PNP draws were never fully paused at any point in the pandemic. You can track the latest PNP draw results in our PNP Live Tracker.

The answer to this question depends on when your COPR was issued and where you’re currently residing. According to official guidelines published by IRCC, individuals who meet the following conditions may still enter Canada:

• COPR-holders with a valid COPR who are residing in any country other than the United States and were approved for their COPR before 12pm EDT on March 18, 2020, and who are travelling to Canada to settle permanently (Source: IRCC);
• COPR-holders with a valid COPR who are residing in the United States and were approved on any date (even after March 18, 2020) and who are travelling to Canada to settle permanently (Source: IRCC).

You must be travelling to Canada to settle permanently and may be asked to provide proof of this intention. If you travel to Canada with the intention to activate your PR status and then leave (sometimes called a ‘soft landing’) you will be denied entry.

All travellers must have a plan for their 14-day mandatory self-isolation period upon arriving in the country.

Canada has introduced a new online portal enabling successful applicants for permanent resident status who are residing in Canada to confirm their PR status. This new online portal enables new permanent residents who are in Canada to confirm their PR status without the need for an in-person interview. Full details here.

If your travel document is going to expire within the next 30 days, please complete the IRCC online web form to advise them of your issue. Include as many details as possible. Please wait until 30 days before your document’s expiry date before submitting your extension request.

COPR-holders: In an update posted on January 5, IRCC stated that applicants residing outside Canada who have received their confirmation of permanent residence (COPR), but whose COPRs have expired should no longer be contacting IRCC through the Web form or processing office email. IRCC will be contacting these applicants once they are approved to come to Canada. (Source: IRCC)

IRCC has indicated that they will offer extensions to some users who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19.

If you cannot gather required documents due to COVID-19, you may be able to request an extension on the document requirements. Your request will be approved or denied at the discretion of the immigration officer handling your file.

In the early days of the pandemic, the Canadian government brought in a new policy where immigration applicants who were unable to supply certain types of information or documents were automatically granted 90-day extensions to provide these documents. Many applicants were issued multiple automatic extensions as the pandemic continued. This policy ended on April 12, 2021.

As of April 12, 2021, when an immigration officer issues a request letter for additional information or documents, the applicant will be given only 30 days to respond. Applicants must respond within the 30-day timeframe either by submitting the missing information/documents or by submitting a request for an additional extension with a “reasonable explanation and proof of the explanation that would allow the application to remain open.” Full details here.

Essentially, extensions for missing documents and/or information will no longer be granted automatically, and it is now the responsibility of the applicant to prove a further extension is necessary.

The answer to this question depends on the type of work permit or study permit you’ve received and your date of issue. According to official guidelines published by IRCC, individuals who meet the following conditions may still enter Canada:

• temporary workers who hold a valid work permit or who are approved for a work permit but have not yet been issued the work permit (holding a Letter of Introduction);
• IEC participants who have not yet activated their work permits must have a valid job offer in order to enter, this job offer does not need to be in an essential sector (Source: IRCC);
• IEC participants who have already activated their work permits and were outside the country temporarily do not require a valid job offer in order to re-enter (Source: IRCC; note that anecdotal reports suggest airline staff may still request to see proof of a connection to Canada like employment, housing, or family, when boarding);
• international students attending a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that is on the approved list (schools which have a COVID-19 readiness plan) and have either a valid study permit or a letter of introduction showing that they’ve been approved for a study permit (Source: IRCC).

(Sources: IRCC, Order in Council – U.S., Order in Council – International)

There is no process in place at this time allowing holders of POE letters to activate their work permits. There was a new process introduced earlier in the pandemic allowing permits to be activated from inside Canada — but, this expired on March 31, 2021.

Flagpoling is still not an option for activating work permits or study permits from inside Canada.

Our team has requested more information from IRCC about when and how holders of POE letter will be able to activate their permits from inside Canada.

Visitors who are currently in Canada and have a valid job offer will be able to apply for an employer-specific work permit and, if approved, receive the permit without having to leave Canada. Eligible job offers must be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or exempt from needing one. Full details here.

Temporary residents stuck inside Canada may be able to extend their status, or restore their status if they’ve fallen out of status (refer below for details on restoration of status). Follow the guidelines in IRCC’s special measures to help those affected by the coronavirus as well as those in IRCC’s temporary public policy for certain out-of-status foreign nationals in Canada.

If your work permit or study permit has expired (or is going to expire), you must apply to extend your status, either as a worker, a student, or transitioning to visitor status. If you do not apply to extend your status and your work/study permit expires, you are technically not legally entitled to continue working or studying in Canada (until you apply to restore your status). Follow the IRCC instructions that apply to your situation.

Holders of Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs): On January 27, 2021, Canada started accepting applications through a new temporary immigration program enabling certain recent international graduates to apply for an extra open work permit (Source: IRCC). Read our full reporting on this update.

Temporary workers inside Canada may start a job with a new employer more quickly through a new streamlined process announced in May, 2020 (Source: IRCC). As many temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada lost their jobs due to the economic impacts of COVID-19, the government has created a temporary policy allowing these TFWs, who are already in Canada with an employer-specific work permit, to more quickly change employers.

Normally, TFWs who lost their job in Canada would have to apply for a new work permit and wait until a decision is made on this application—a process that usually takes 10+ weeks. Under the new process, TFWs can start a position with a new employer before their new work permit application is processed.

Important: TFWs with employer-specific work permit still have to apply for their new work permit. After applying, they must follow the instructions on this IRCC webpage, and must wait until receiving email confirmation from IRCC that they can start working in their new position.

TFWs with open work permits are always able to switch employers, so this policy does not impact them.

In most cases where biometrics were required before COVID-19, they are still required. Instructions for completing your biometrics depend on where you’re living. Take note, however, that due to COVID-19, certain applicants who would normally require biometrics are now exempt from needing them (refer below for more details).

If you are residing inside Canada and need to complete your biometrics: On November 30, 2020, Service Canada re-opened their online scheduling system for biometrics appointments. Full details here.

If you are residing outside Canada and need to complete your biometrics: Please consult our guide on biometrics for Canadian immigration to understand what options are available in your region.

Biometrics exemptions due to COVID-19

On July 15, Canada announced that certain temporary resident applicants who are inside Canada will be exempt from the requirement to provide biometrics (Source: IRCC). This is a temporary measure. The exemption includes those who are applying from within Canada:

• to extend your stay as a student, worker or visitor
• to restore your status as a student, worker or visitor
• for a work or study permit
• for a visitor visa
• for a temporary resident permit

As well, this temporary measure does not apply if you are outside Canada. Those applying for permanent residence from within Canada are still required to provide biometrics (note that Service Canada locations in Canada are not yet processing biometrics and biometrics deadlines for PR applicants have been extended due to COVID-19).

Additional biometrics exemptions for PR applicants: IRCC is introducing a new special measure for PR applicants who have already completed biometrics for a different immigration application within the past 10 years. These applicants will now be exempt from providing new biometrics with their PR application (Source: IRCC).

Read full updates on how COVID-19 is impacting international students in our dedicated COVID Student Newshub.

Study Permit Eligibility & Application Process

The Canadian government is introducing special measures to help approved international students and study permit applicants who are hoping to begin Canadian studies in the fall & winter terms (Source: IRCC). Many international students will be able to begin or continue their Canadian studies while living outside Canada through distance learning. The new measures include:

• Giving priority study-permit processing for students who have submitted a complete application online; and
• Implementing a temporary two-stage approval process to reassure international students who cannot submit all required documents for their study permit applications and who choose to pursue Canadian programs through distance learning.

The temporary two-stage approval process will allow study permit applicants to count time spent studying online abroad towards their PGWP as long as they’ve received an approval-in-principle, as long as eventually they are able to satisfy all requirements and receive a full approval of their study permit. This should provide hope to some study permit applicants who were hoping to begin studies in the fall, but were unable to obtain all required documents for their study permit due to COVID-19.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility

Canada has introduced special measures due to COVID-19 which allow international students to complete a percentage of their studies from abroad and still count this time towards their eligibility for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). The percentage of online course work you can complete while maintaining eligibility for your PGWP depends on which situation describes you:

• Students may now study online from abroad until April 30, 2021, with no time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit, provided 50 percent of their program of study is eventually completed in Canada.
• Students who have enrolled in a program that is between 8 and 12 months in length, with a start date from May to September 2020, will be able to complete their entire program online from abroad and still be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
• Students who have enrolled in a program with a start date from May to September 2020 and study online up to April 30, 2021, and who graduate from more than one eligible program of study, may be able to combine the length of their programs of study when they apply for a post-graduation work permit in the future, as long as 50 percent of their total studies are completed in Canada.

You will still have to meet all other eligibility requirements for a PGWP. To be eligible for these measures, students must have submitted a study permit application before starting a program of study in the spring, summer, or fall 2020 semester, or the January 2021 semester. All students must eventually be approved for a study permit.

Canada has reopened some Visa Application Centres (VACs) around the world, although with limited services available. Please refer to our guide on which VACs are open to find out which countries have operational VACs and what types of services are available.

Individuals requiring a Social Insurance Number (SIN) are now eligible to apply for a SIN online. There are now three ways to apply for your Canadian SIN — refer to our guide for full details.

In the early pandemic, IRCC reduced a number of in-person services:

• All in-person citizenship ceremonies and citizenship tests were cancelled, but IRCC is now conducting a limited number of citizenship ceremonies virtually (Source: IRCC).
• IRCC has cancelled all in-person landing appointments for permanent residents. They have introduced a new process to confirm permanent resident status that circumvents the need for a CoPR for in-Canada applicants (Source: IRCC).

Gradual resumption of in-person services: As of September 17, IRCC announced it is beginning the gradual resumption of some in-person services at select locations across Canada. Only a handful of locations will be open with only a limited range of services available. Full details here.

Canada is gradually resuming passport services: Starting July 31, Canadians can once again apply for a passport by mail. If Canadians have an immediate need for a passport or are travelling in less than 30 days with proof of travel, they can request in-person appointments. (Source: IRCC)

Only four Canadian airports are currently receiving international flights: Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Montreal Trudeau (YUL), Vancouver (YVR), and Calgary (YYC).

Flights from within Canada, as well as those from the United States, Mexico, and certain Caribbean nations are exempt from this restriction for the time being. Although, from February 1, 2021, until at least April 30, 2021, Canada has banned all flights to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Those who are eligible to travel to Canada can expect additional and potentially disruptive measures affecting their journey, as airlines have been mandated by the government to ensure that people displaying any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are not allowed to board aircraft.

Many Canadian airlines are offering refunds or credit for flights cancelled or disrupted due to COVID-19. Check with your airline to see their policy.

Canada is technically still accepting flights from most countries, although the availability of airline service has dramatically reduced and service to and from some countries may not be available.

Ban on flights to Mexico and the Caribbean: Effective Sunday, January 31, Canada’s major airlines suspended flights to Mexico and the Caribbean — favourite sun destinations for Canadians looking to escape the winter. This measure will remain in place until April 30.

Lifted — Ban on flights from the United Kingdom: In late 2020, Canada briefly banned all flights from the United Kingdom, as the country assessed how to address the new UK variant of the coronavirus. This ban was lifted in early January 2021.

Be sure to check the rules and regulations tied to your specific immigration program and stream, as there may be facilitative measures in place. On the federal level, IRCC has introduced special measures to support paper-based PNP applicants who have lost their job offer:

IRCC has introduced a temporary facilitative measure to assist paper-based PNP applicants (not Express Entry-aligned) who are applying through a job offer-based PNP stream. Under this new measure, applications may be placed on hold in cases where an applicant no longer has a valid job offer as a result of COVID-19 and their application was received prior to March 18, 2020. In order to be considered for this exemption, the provincial or territorial jurisdiction must contact IRCC between September 17, 2020, and March 10, 2021 (Source: IRCC).

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced special measures to help temporary and permanent residents and applicants affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID‑19). This link contains advice for:

• If you’ve been approved for permanent residence,
• If you’re a Canadian citizenship applicant,
• If you’ve applied for temporary or permanent residence and are outside Canada (this includes applications for work permits and study permits),
• If you’re about to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry,
• If you need a visitor visa, study permit or work permit to travel to Canada urgently,
• If you’re a permanent resident who needs to travel to Canada urgently, or
• If you’re a temporary resident who is unable to leave Canada.

For advice on any of the above situations, click here.