IRCC Gives Updates on Who can Travel to Canada

IRCC released an update on June 12, 2020, providing more advice on who can travel to Canada while travel restrictions remain in place. Canada has had travel restrictions since March 18 but provides frequent updates to keep foreign nationals informed of their permission to enter Canada.

Exemptions have been announced following the introduction of travel restrictions, and more recently Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced even more flexibility for the immediate family to enter Canada.

Travel Examples for non-optional reasons

In the information released today, IRCC reminds foreign nationals that they can only enter Canada for non-optional or non-discretionary purposes and that it is the responsibility of immigrants to demonstrate the reason for their travel.

The immediate family of Canadian citizens or permanent residents will be deemed to travel for non-discretionary or non-optional reasons if their trip to Canada lasts at least 15 days and they travel with or reunite with a family member.

IRCC also advises immigration officials that they must be flexible when dealing with requests from immediate family members, even if they are traveling to Canada for less than 15 days, as long as the trip is not completed.

Immediate family members of temporary residents in Canada must always prove that their trip to Canada is not optional. These immediate family members coming to Canada from a country other than the United States must obtain a letter of authorization from IRCC.

Following is the list of family members that are categorized under Immediate family members by the IRCC:

• Spouses or common-law partner
• Dependent children
• Grandchildren
• Parents or step-parents
• Guardians or tutors

Immediate family members are allowed to travel to Canada if they meet the following mentioned requirements:

• Trip to Canada is at least 15 days long (however, note above that IRCC is offering flexibility for trips under 15 days)
• Immediate family self-quarantine for 14 days when entering Canada
• Immediate family do not have COVID-19 or symptoms of the coronavirus
• The trip is non-optional and non-discretionary
• They are coming to Canada to be with their immediate family (IRCC notes however there is no requirement for the Canadian or permanent resident to be in Canada first. IRCC wants to help facilitate family unity and understands immediate family may arrive in Canada at different times due to travel restrictions).

Documents Required

Following documents are suggested by the IRCC to immediate family members to provide:

• Documentation showing that their immediate family is a Canadian or permanent resident (e.g., Canadian passport, proof of Canadian citizenship, Canadian permanent resident card, etc).
• Documentation showing their relationship to the family member (e.g., marriage certificate or proof of common-law status, birth certificate, confirmation of permanent residence for the family class, etc).

IRCC accepts paper and electronic copies of the above documents.

Similarly, it is recommended that people wishing to enter Canada with an immediate family who is temporary residents show copies of their work permit, study permit, temporary resident permit, as well as proof of their relationship with the family member, and written permission from IRCC.

IRCC will issue a letter to these individuals to demonstrate to the airline that the individual is authorized to come to Canada.

IRCC notes that it will soon release more information containing examples of non-optional travel for international students and temporary foreign workers.

Reference is taken from CIC News