IRCC News Update: Government introduces new border measures to protect Canadian public health, provides update on travel restrictions

With the Government of Canada announcing further public health protections at the border, processes are being introduced to support enhanced family reunification, entry for compassionate reasons, and the safe and gradual entry of some international students.

The Government of Canada is deploying additional public health officers to ports of entry and strengthening quarantine monitoring to aid in the fight against the spread of COVID19.

Certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents will be eligible to travel to Canada. This includes people in a long-term exclusive relationship and their dependent children, adult children, grandchildren, siblings and grandparents. Detailed information for extended family members, including the process and requirements, will be on the IRCC website on October 8. Travellers should not make any travel plans until this information is available and they’ve received proper authorization.

Foreign nationals travelling for compassionate reasons, such as a life-threatening illness, critical injury or death, will be eligible to enter Canada with limited exemptions from quarantine, subject to the approval of the provincial or territorial government. On October 8, information on how foreign nationals can request entry to Canada with limited exemptions from mandatory quarantine for compassionate reasons will be available on the Public Health Agency of Canada website.

Updated travel restrictions will take effect on October 20, 2020, to allow the entry of international students to Canada if they will be attending a designated learning institution with a COVID19 readiness plan approved by their provincial or territorial government.

Reminder that all travellers must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Canada, unless they’re exempt.

Learn more about upcoming changes to expand exemptions to the travel restrictions for family members and compassionate cases:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/10/government-introduces-new-border-measures-to-protect-canadian-public-health-provides-update-on-travel-restrictions.html

Source: IRCC