Entering Canada from the United States during the pandemic

Canada imposed travel restrictions in order to combat the spread of the virus. However, some nationals and residents from the United States will be able to enter Canada based on certain conditions.

Canada and the United States placed travel restrictions on its borders on March 21, and the agreement has been renewed since then on a monthly basis.

For now, Canada has exempted temporary foreign workers, some international students, and immediate family members of Canadians from the coronavirus travel restrictions. However, everyone traveling to Canada still have to prove that the purpose of their trip is essential even if they are exempt from the rules. The reasons can be linked with critical infrastructure support, work, trade, study, or family reunification.

Most people entering Canada from abroad will have to take on two weeks of self-isolation. They should also make an adequate quarantine plan before traveling.

Options to enter Canada:

Canada updated its policies to allow workers and students to travel in spite of border closures from the very beginning. Canada has initiated measures that will allow employers to cater to their labor shortages by hiring foreign workers.

Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, has announced that immediate family members will be able to travel to Canada as long as they satisfy certain conditions. People planning to work in Canada can use an accelerated work permit authorization process. Certain essential occupations will even be prioritized.

International students looking to study in Canada this year will be able to secure a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) even if they begin their studies online.

Canada has more than 80 economic class immigration pathways that you can also use to enter Canada. Immigration programs are operated at both the federal and the provincial level.