To protect Canadians from the outbreak of the Corona virus, the government of Canada announced travel restrictions that will limit travel to Canada. Until further notice, most people cannot travel to Canada, even if they have a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

These restrictions stop all non-essential travel to Canada by foreign nationals, but there are some exemptions. Some people may still be able to travel to Canada by air if they’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are coming for an essential purpose.

Who can enter Canada?

You can travel to and may be admissible to enter Canada if you’re a:

• Canadian citizen

• Canadian permanent resident

• person registered under Canada’s Indian Act

• protected person

• United States (US) citizen or foreign national travelling from the US for an essential reason and have been in the US, Canada or both for at least 14 days before the day you enter Canada

o There are some exemptions to the 14‑day rule, for example, those whose work is essential for the movement of goods and people.

• foreign national who is exempt from the travel restrictions (see Exemptions to the travel restrictions for more information)

Exemptions to the travel restrictions

The following people may travel to Canada for an essential purpose:

• temporary foreign workers

• some international students

• some approved permanent residents

• immediate family members of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident (see below for more information)

• immediate family members with written authorization from the Government of Canada to reunite with a non-Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada (see below for more information)

• transiting passengers (must remain in a Canadian airport to complete their connection)

• members of the Canadian forces, visiting forces, Department of National Defense and their immediate family members

• accredited diplomats and immediate family members (include North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], those under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, other organizations)

• air and marine crew members

• French citizens who live in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and have been in only Canada, the US or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon during the 14 days before the day they seek to enter Canada

• any person who does not pose a significant harm to public health, in the opinion of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, and who will provide an essential service while in Canada

• any person whose presence in Canada is in the national interest, in the opinion of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; or Foreign Affairs

• any person who is coming at the invitation of the Minister of Health for the purpose of COVID-19 assistance

• any person whose purpose is to make medical deliveries

An immediate family member is defined as a

• spouse or common-law partner

• dependent child

• dependent child of a dependent child

• parent or step-parent

• guardian or tutor