United States: Prime Minister Trudeau Suspends Travel To Canada For Certain Foreign Nationals As A Result Of The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Seyfarth Synopsis: Prime Minster Trudeau announced that travel to Canada is suspended for all foreign nationals, with the exception of U.S. Citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents (with other limited exceptions), as a result of COVID-19.

On Monday, March 16, 2020, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020 (at 12:00 p.m. EDT) travel to Canada is suspended for all foreign nationals, except for U.S. Citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents (with other limited exceptions), as a result of COVID-19. Effective immediately, airlines are required to deny boarding to travelers who are symptomatic and who are seeking to board an international flight to Canada.

Moreover, travelers will not be permitted to board a plane to Canada if they have been outside of Canada or the United States in the last 14 days, unless they are a Canadian Citizen, Canadian Permanent Resident, or in transit to a 3rd country. This measure will come into force on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 (at 12:00 p.m. EDT).

Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020 (at 12:01 a.m. EDT) international flights (except those arriving from the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and St. Pierre-et-Miquelon) will only be permitted to land at the following international airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and Calgary International Airport. Travelers will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days if arriving from any international location.

The application process of applying for a work permit or other immigration benefit remains unchanged. Moreover, Canadian consulates and in-land offices remain open and applications currently in progress will continue to be processed, but may experience delays. Applicants will be given additional time to complete their biometrics, immigration medical exams, or to submit any other support material.

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