EXEO Attorneys | Immigration U.S. & Canada, September 2021

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 is the latest news as of September 14th, 2021.

Canadian border open to vaccinated international travellers as of September 7, 2021

As of September 7, 2021, fully vaccinated foreign nationals can enter Canada for non-discretionary purposes, including tourism.

However, these travelers must meet a number of conditions:

• Have a complete vaccination schedule for at least 14 days ;
• Have a negative PCR test result within 72 hours OR a positive test result from 14 to 180 days prior to departure;
• Be symptom free for COVID-19;
• Register personal information in ArriveCAN;
• Have a 14-day quarantine plan (in case of a positive random arrival test), i.e., a reservation of an accommodation in which they can isolate themselves for 14 days if needed;
• undergo a test on arrival if they are selected (random selection).

To date, the authorized vaccines are the following:

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson

If you received your Government of Canada-accepted vaccines outside Canada, it’s still accepted but proof of vaccination must be uploaded digitally in ArriveCAN and must only be in French or English, or certified translation into French or English.

WHP: easing of requirements for holders of a letter of introduction vaccinated

As of September 7, 2021,  A promise of employment is no longer required to receive an invitation to apply for a WHP Canada for fully vaccinated applicants.

Here are the requirements: 

• Proof of vaccination will be required upon arrival in Canada: quarantine will no longer apply
• Non-vaccinated applicants will be required to present a promise of employment at the time of application and to complete a fourteen (14) day quarantine;

US borders remain closed until at least September 21, 2021

Restrictions to enter the U.S. by road have not been lifted or altered. Only essential travelers or people carrying or applying for a work permit may travel by road. Anyone else must fly in order to gain entry to the U.S.

Persons who have been present in the preceding 14 days in the following countries may not fly to the U.S. unless they meet one of the exemptions (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or relative thereof, students, persons seeking medical care, military or government officials, holders of a National Interest Exemption (NIE)): China, Iran, South Africa, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, India, the European Schengen Area. Citizens of these countries who reside in other countries at the time of travel are not affected by this ban.

Further, proof of a negative PCR test less than 72 hours before travel (or proof of recovery from COVID-19 14 days prior) continues to be required in order to fly into the U.S.

Compliments of EXEO Attorneys – a member of the EACCNY.