Travel Exemptions

Q118) Are 'Immediate Family Members' exempted from Travel Restrictions amid COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns?

►Immediate Family Members of Canadian Citizens & PR◄

As a spouse or common-law partner of Canadian Citizen & PR, you are exempted from travel bans. As simple as that. Just like IRCC Call Centre Agents are famous for giving misleading information, I would also take advice of CBSA Call Centre agents with a pinch of salt.

You need to contact airline directly and ask them about their rules of boarding. They have the right to allow or refuse boarding at the time of boarding. Therefore, onus is on traveler to prove that they qualify for exemption under "Immediate Family Members". Travelers are expected to self-identify to airlines at the point of boarding that they are exempt under this provision by presenting documentation to establish their family member’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and their relationship to that family member.

► Approved PR Application before 18th March 2020◄

Being in possession of PRV does not make a person permanent resident of Canada. Permanent Residence is only conferred upon arrival in Canada. Having said that, this restriction is for those applicants who do not qualify under any exemption. CBSA Call Centre agents are not immigration officers and therefore will only have limited or generic information to provide you. Contact your airline and ask them directly.

►Approved applications – permanent residence◄

Applicants for permanent residence with COPR and PRV, but are unable to travel within the validity period of their documents, once the Coronavirus pandemic has passed, Embassy will review your file and will not penalize you for having been unable to travel before the expiration of your visa

►Pending applications◄

Individuals who have applied for a visitor visa, work permit, study permit or permanent residence, but cannot complete next steps in the process on time due to COVID-19 situation in their country of residence, will not have their applications refused solely on the basis of not completing these requests. More time (extensions) is given automatically to applicants in these situations.

►Biometrics deadline extended to 90 days◄

Even though Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) indicates that this step must be completed within 30 days, the deadline will automatically be extended to 90 days if you’re affected by the service disruptions. You will not need a new BIL and must wait for VFS's to reopen.

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