Canadian government lifts travel restrictions for some families

The Government of Canada has been looking at ways to keep families together and support unity while respecting the need for continued vigilance and border measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Canada Border Services Agency is announcing that as of June 8th, 2020 23:59 EDT, foreign nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and who do not have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or who do not have reason to believe they have COVID-19, will be exempt from the prohibition on entry to Canada if entering to be with an immediate family member for a period of at least 15 days.

Foreign nationals who are admitted into Canada pursuant to this exemption must quarantine for 14 days.

An immediate family member refers to a person's:

1. spouse or common-law partner;
2. dependent child, as defined in section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or a dependent child of the person's spouse or common-law partner;
3. dependent child, as defined in section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b):
4. parent or step-parent or the parent or step-parent of the person's spouse or common-law partner;
5. guardian or tutor.

All foreign nationals who have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 continue to remain prohibited from entering Canada.

This change does not apply to immediate family members of temporary residents in Canada, such as those on a student or work visa.

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