Program delivery update: COVID-19 – Travel restriction measures, non-optional and non-discretionary travel, and family reunification exemption processing instructions
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
June 12, 2020
Travel restrictions measures
Updates have been made to align with the coming into force of Order in Council (OIC) 13, Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from any country other than the United States), and OIC 14, Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States), and to reflect a more facilitative approach to family reunification for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Non-optional and non-discretionary travel
New guidance is available to ensure that non-optional and non-discretionary travel exemptions are being applied as intended under the COVID-19 OICs. This guidance provides examples of how non-optional and non-discretionary travel is to be assessed as part of an application under COVID-19, in addition to aligning with the updated OIC 13 and OIC 14.