COVID-19: Family reunification policy updated

IMPACT – HIGH

The Government of Canada has updated its policy to clarify the eligibility of family members accompanying temporary residents (i.e., work permit holders, study permit holders, etc.) to Canada.

Key Points:

• Accompanying family members will require the following:
  • Written authorization from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirming their exemption to the travel restrictions.
  • Valid visa or eTA.
  • Valid passport.
• Clear indication of health with no visible COVID-19 symptoms.
• Principal applicants must travel to Canada first before accompanying family members can be eligible to travel.

Additional information: With few exceptions, all persons must undergo a mandatory self-isolation period of 14 days and must have a credible isolation plan (i.e., how they will get to their residence from the airport without using public transport, as well as how they will obtain groceries) on arrival in Canada, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms.

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