NPZ Immigration Law Blog

As of mid-night March 20, 2020, Canadian and American authorities will temporarily restrict all non-essential travel across US and Canada border until further notice.

Subsequently, you will not be allowed to cross the border for recreation or tourism. However, if you cross the Border daily to do essential work or if the reason for your travel is essential, you will be able to enter the country. The Border will remain open for trade activities such as supply chains of food, fuel and medicine.

Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) makes it clear that travel for the purpose of obtaining immigration services is non-essential. If you are in Canada and seeking to travel to the Border in order to make application for a Work Permit, Study Permit or Permanent Residence, you are asked to maintain social and provincial guidelines for self-isolation and social distancing. Do not travel to the Border for these services. If you are currently in Canada as a visitor, student or worker, you can apply online to IRCC to extend your Temporary Resident Status. By doing so, you can continue to stay, study or work in Canada, while your application is being processed. This is referred to as an Implied Status and as long as you apply before your current document expires, your current immigration authorization and conditions remain unchanged.

If you are currently travelling in the United States:

• Consider returning to Canada as soon as possible;
• Expect longer wait time at border crossing points;
• Comply with any restrictive measures and directives issued by local authorities such as self-isolation and quarantine orders; and
• Contact your airline or tour operator regarding your travel plans.