Immediate Family Members
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that effective June 8, 2020 at 23:59 PM EDT, immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, will be exempt from the travel restrictions upon entry to Canada during the current pandemic situation.
For the purposes of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), an immediate family member is a:
- Spouse or common-law partner;
- Dependent child* of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
- Dependent child of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b) of the Regulations.
This definition has expanded to include a:
- Parent or step-parent or the parent or step-parent of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
- Guardian or tutor.
Conditions
These members must be entering Canada to be with their immediate family members for at least 15 days in order for the exemption to apply and they are based on non-essential (discretionary) travel.
In addition, the immediate family member must not have:
- COVID-19
- Reasons to believe they have COVID-19
- Signs or symptoms of COVID-19
Foreign nationals who meet the requirements and are permitted to enter Canada must quarantine for 14 days and present a quarantine plan and send contact information when landing at the border using the ArriveCAN app.
Instructions
- All travellers must wear non-medical masks or face coverings upon arrival in Canada.
- If those travellers intend to stay in Canada for less than 14 days, they may be allowed entry to Canada for essential (non-discretionary) reasons only.
*A dependent child for immigration purposes is: a) under the age for 22 years old and does not have a spouse or common-law partner. b) 22 years of age or older and has depended substantially on the financial support of the parent since before attaining the age of 22 years and is unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition.
For other updates on travelling to Canada, read this article.
Revised January 4, 2021.
