Information about your approved temporary resident visa or super visa and COVID-19 (Aug 22, 2020)

Notice for approved temporary resident (visitor) visa or super visa holder

Thank you for your interest in traveling to Canada. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, borders are closed, and travel restrictions are in full effect as of March 18, 2020, to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of Canadians. There were further updates with regard to the exemptions to travel restrictions on March 20, 2020.

Candidates are not guaranteed entry into Canada if their application for a temporary resident (visitor) visa or super visa was recently approved. Applications are being processed so that candidates can be ready to travel when the restrictions are lifted.

Candidates will have to wait until the travel restrictions are lifted to travel to Canada unless they can prove they meet the following requirements:

• Applicants will have to meet specific exemption criteria to these travel restrictions if they come from outside the United States. See Travelers coming from outside the US who are exempt from the travel restrictions;
• International and U.S. travelers no matter what country they are coming from must be traveling for an essential (non-discretionary) reason
• A border services officer will assess the reason for candidates’ reason to travel and will determine if they can enter Canada

Important: If applicants are an immediate family of a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident, they will be exempt from the travel restrictions as long as they can prove that they:

• are an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• are staying in the country for at least 15 days
• are admissible
• meet all public health requirements

Public health measures to be followed by any traveler planning to land in Canada in the coming days

Candidates who meet the above-listed requirements will have to abide by the following important public health requirements:

• Candidates traveling by air will need to pass a health check before they are allowed to board their flight
• Any travelers showing symptoms of COVID-19 WILL NOT be permitted to travel to Canada. It is advisable to delay travel plans
• Once in Canada, travelers MUST have a quarantine plan which shows how they will quarantine themselves for 14 days even if they are asymptomatic. Without the quarantine plan, travelers may not be allowed to enter Canada. See quarantine requirement
• At the airport, again a border services officer will assess travelers’ health and their quarantine plan whether they are flying to Canada or have traveled by land.

Stay informed. Please keep checking our website for updates related to COVID-19, including when the travel restrictions will be lifted. Thank you for your patience during these exceptional circumstances.