COVID-19: Changes to travel restrictions for immediate family members of Canadian citizens, permanent residents

IMPACT – HIGH

The Canada Border Services Agency has announced that as of June 8 at 23:59 pm EDT, foreign nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens will be allowed to enter Canada if entering the country to be with an immediate family member for at least 15 days.

To be eligible for entry, they must:

• Be an immediate family member (spouse or common-law partner, dependent child, parent or step-parent, guardian or tutor).
• Wish to enter Canada for at least 15 days.
• Not exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
• Have a viable quarantine plan covering 14 days post-entry, where they will not have contact with vulnerable people.

Additional information: This exemption does not apply to immediate family members of temporary residents of Canada (e.g., foreign workers or student visa holders). Click here for more information.

This alert was prepared by de Lint LLP, an independent immigration law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.