EXEO Attorneys | Immigration U.S. and Canada February 2022

This week’s special newsletter provides an overview of notable changes in Canadian immigration including all measures directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the most important news since the beginning of the pandemic and travel restrictions as of January 31, 2022

Vaccination requirement for foreign travelers at the U.S.-Mexico border

As of January 22, 2022, all foreign travelers entering the United States and Mexico will be required to have a complete vaccination plan for entry into the country.

Vaccination requirement for all international students travelling to Canada for study purposes

All foreign students over the age of 18 wishing to travel to Canada must be properly vaccinated, as of January 15, 2022. These people will also no longer be able to travel without being fully vaccinated and a 14-day quarantine plan before arriving in the country.

As a reminder, the authorized vaccines are as follows: 

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
• Bharat Biotech
• Sinopharm BIBP
• Sinovac
• Covaxin

Restrictions for unvaccinated travellers

As of January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers will only be able to enter Canada if they meet one of the limited exceptions listed by the Canadian government. To view the travel exemptions visit https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/nouvelles/2021/11/modifications-des-mesures-visant-les-frontieres-et-les-voyages-au-canada.html

Travel authorization letters exempting immediate and extended family members from current travel restrictions are no longer valid

Foreign nationals wishing to join or accompany a family member to Canada must qualify as immunized travellers or as one of the limited exemptions to enter the country, as of January 15, 2022.

To determine if you meet the requirements for entry into Canada, visit the following link: https://voyage.gc.ca/voyage-covid/voyage-restrictions/debut-assistant?_ga=2.48611046.1990984024.1641825896-824312059.1634564826

REMINDER:

Molecular testing will be required upon arrival in Canada by air

International travellers entering Canada by air should expect to undergo possible molecular testing upon arrival – including for vaccinated travellers. Currently, approximately 50% of passengers are randomly screened for this.

Vaccinated travellers should then quarantine themselves at home until they receive their results.

For more information, please visit the following link: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

Entry into Canada for unvaccinated travellers meeting the entry requirements remains unchanged. The fourteen (14) day quarantine is still applicable as well as another screening test on day eight of the quarantine.

ARRIVECAN and the PCR test

Installation of the ArriveCan application is also still mandatory for travellers entering Canada by land or air. The information must be entered within 72 hours prior to travel. Please note that even for a land border post tour, this is required or a mandatory 14-day quarantine may be imposed, even for fully vaccinated travelers.

We remind you that the PCR test of less than 72 hours still applies to enter Canada for all travellers regardless of their vaccination status.

Please note that foreign nationals wishing to enter Canada must continue to provide a negative molecular test for COVID-19 at the air and land border, regardless of the length of their trip to Canada.

Compliments of EXEO Attorneys – a member of the EACCNY.