travel information & Requirements

 Use of non-medical masks or face coverings in the Canadian transportation system

• https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/04/use-of-non-medical-masks-or-face-coverings-in-the-canadian-transportation-system.html 
• Effective April 20, 2020, and until further notice, new measures require all air passengers to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel 

 Aviation

• When travelling by air, travellers are encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings whenever possible, but at a minimum are required to cover their mouth and nose:
  
  • at Canadian airport screening checkpoints, where the screeners cannot always keep two metres of separation between themselves and the passenger;
  • during flight when they cannot physically distance from others, or as directed by the airline employees; and
  • when directed to do so by a public health order or public health official.
    
• Passengers on all flights departing or arriving at Canadian airports will also be required to demonstrate they have the necessary non-medical mask or face covering during the boarding process otherwise they could be denied entry into the sterile area of the airport or denied boarding onto the aircraft.
  
• Airlines are responsible for notifying passengers when purchasing their ticket at the counter or online, of the requirement to have non-medical masks or face coverings during the voyage, when physical distancing is not possible, to avoid putting the safety of others at risk. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have the appropriate face covering.

 Transport Canada Information

• https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/03/government-of-canada-announces-new-domestic-transportation-measures.html 
• Air
  • A requirement for all air operators to conduct a health check of travellers before they board a flight within Canada or departing from Canada, based on guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada. This would include asking health questions, looking for visible signs of illness prior to boarding, and recommending the traveller follow guidance from local health authorities.
  • A requirement for air operators to refuse boarding to a passenger that presents COVID-19 symptoms. The denial will remain in effect for a period of 14 days, or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms that the traveller’s symptoms are not related to COVID-19. These measures will apply to aircraft with 10 seats or more.
  • A requirement for air operators to notify travellers that they may be subject to provincial or territorial measures at their final destination.
• Rail 
  • A requirement for intercity passenger rail companies to do a health check to screen passengers for COVID-19 symptoms before they board a train, based on guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada. This will include company representatives asking simple health questions, looking for visible signs of illness prior to boarding, and recommending the passenger follow guidance from local health authorities. 
  • A requirement for intercity passenger rail companies to refuse boarding to a passenger that presents COVID-19 symptoms. The denial will remain in effect for a period of 14 days, or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms that the traveller’s symptoms are not related to COVID-19.
  • These measures do not apply to commuter trains.
• More information:   https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/initiatives/covid-19-measures-updates-guidance-tc.html 

• Most travellers are subject to quarantine periods upon their return to Alberta/Canada.
• For the most up to date restrictions visit:
• https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-travel-advice.aspx 
• https://travel.gc.ca/

  International Pilot Project 

• Eligible international travellers returning to Alberta may be able to participate in a pilot program that is safely exploring reduced quarantine periods.
• For more information including eligibility and how to participate visit: https://www.alberta.ca/international-border-pilot-project.aspx

• The federal government is introducing processes to support greater family reunification, entry for compassionate reasons, and the safe and gradual entry of some international students. More specifically, these processes will provide for the entry of certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents, including those in an exclusive dating relationship of at least 1 year and their dependent children, as well as adult children, grandchildren, siblings and grandparents
• foreign nationals for compassionate reasons in specific circumstances, such as life-threatening illness, critical injury or death, with potential limited release from quarantine
• international students, starting October 20, 2020, if they will be attending a designated learning institution that has been identified by their provincial or territorial government as having a COVID‑19 readiness plan in place
• Detailed information on who may qualify as an extended family member and the process and requirements to be eligible to travel to and enter Canada will be available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website on October 8, 2020. 
• The new measure for extended family members complements the updated rules for immediate family members announced on June 8, 2020, and will help families in Canada reunite with more of their loved ones.
• Any foreign national showing signs or symptoms of COVID‑19 will not be allowed to enter Canada. A border services officer will determine if a foreign national can enter the country.
• Travelers should not make any travel plans until they have met all requirements and obtained all necessary authorizations to qualify to come to Canada under the new rules.
• For detailed information: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/10/government-introduces-new-border-measures-to-protect-canadian-public-health-provides-update-on-travel-restrictions.html 

• https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html 
• Travel for the purpose of obtaining immigration services is non-essential. If you are in Canada, and are seeking to travel to the border in order to make an application for a work permit, study permit or permanent residence, you are asked to consider federal and provincial guidelines for self-isolation and social distancing. Do not travel to the border for these services until further notice. 
• If you are currently in Canada as a visitor, student or worker, you can apply online to IRCC to extend your temporary resident status. By doing so, you can continue to stay, study or work in Canada while your application is being processed. This is referred to as implied status, and as long as you apply before your current document expires, your current immigration authorizations and conditions remain unchanged.  In-Canada services are available through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. 

Visitor Visa/Study Permit/Work Permit 

• New applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online 
• At this time, if you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit or work permit, apply online.
  • Apply online for a visitor visa
  • Apply online for a study permit
  • Apply online for a work permit
• Due to service disruptions related to COVID-19, we are experiencing difficulties receiving and processing applications submitted by mail or in person at a VAC. Temporary foreign workers, approved PR and students
• Temporary foreign workers, some international students and approved permanent residents who haven’t yet landed are now able to enter Canada. 
• The travel restriction exemptions that were announced are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.
• If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.
• When you arrive in Canada we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.
• Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.
• More information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html

Foreign nationals:

•  If you are a foreign national arriving from the U.S. with symptoms of COVID-19, you will not be allowed to enter Canada.
• Foreign nationals arriving from the U.S. without symptoms of COVID-19, will be allowed to enter Canada only for non-discretionary travel.
• Foreign nationals, excluding those arriving from the U.S., will not be allowed into Canada. However, there are exemptions to these restrictions for foreign nationals arriving from other countries.
• As of June 8, 2020, foreign nationals who are immediate family members (definition below) of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and who do not have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, and who have no 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:
  • spouse or common-law partner
  • 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
  • dependent child, as defined in Section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b)
  • parent or step-parent or the parent or step-parent of the person's spouse or common-law partner
  • guardian or tutor
•  For more information, consult the Canada Border Services Agency website.