Posted June 25, 2021 at 5:00 AM EDT
After 15 months, Canada’s border was reopened to approved permanent residents. These newcomers can now officially immigrate to Canada when they arrive at the border. Granted, they are subject to the same public health measures that affect all arriving travelers.
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino opened Canada’s border to approved permanent residents on June 21, 2021. Previously, those individuals who received their Certificate of Permanent Residence (COPR) after March 18, 2020 were not exempt from travel restrictions. In order to complete the landing process, they had to meet another exemption. As a result, they were stuck in the immigration limbo – not official residents, despite having passed all other stages of the immigration process.
Canadian officials said there are about 23,000 COPR holders outside Canada. People whose documents are still valid are now exempt from travel restrictions. In addition, fully vaccinated travelers can skip the mandatory quarantine.
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The final decision on who is allowed to enter Canada, of course, rests with the border officer. Preparing can prevent unwanted surprises. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) websites official information, and they offer resources like that Online travel restriction tool. Travelers can also join. turn Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to ask specific questions.
With that in mind, here is some general information about traveling to Canada as a COPR holder.
What to do before traveling to Canada during COVID
It goes without saying that travelers shouldn’t try to cross the line if they have symptoms of COVID-19. It is also good to keep in mind that each province has its own public health measures that are posted on their respective government websites.
Incoming travelers can use the ArriveCAN app to upload documents such as the quarantine plan, evidence of negative COVID tests, and other required documents. Border officials have accepted travel documents this way throughout the pandemic.
All travelers, even if they are fully vaccinated, must anyway plan their mandatory quarantine. The government offers a Tool so travelers can judge whether their quarantine plan is appropriate. At the border, the officials usually want to see that travelers have a place to stay for 14 days. They also want to see the plan for access to food and other essential supplies. In addition, travelers must prove that they do not endanger any endangered persons at their quarantine location.
Travelers over the age of five must present a negative test taken 72 hours prior to arrival at the border. Then they will have to take another test upon arrival.
There are different border measures depending on whether you are arriving by car country or from plane. The big difference is that air travelers have to wait for the results of their COVID test upon arrival at a government-approved hotel.
Upon arrival, the traveler’s travel will depend on whether or not they are fully vaccinated with a Canada-approved vaccine. So far there are four: Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
Unvaccinated travelers who have flown in will have to wait in a hotel for their test result on arrival. They also have to do another COVID test on the eighth day of their quarantine. Fully vaccinated travelers can skip this step.
Fully vaccinated COPRs can skip the quarantine
Starting July 5 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, all tax-exempt travelers to Canada will be subject to the new measure for those who fully vaccinated. These travelers only need to quarantine themselves at home while they wait at the border for the results of their COVID-19 test.
Children who are not old enough to receive the vaccination must still be quarantined at home for the entire 14 days, although their fully vaccinated parents do not have to. However, you don’t have to meet the hotel’s quarantine requirement, which requires newcomers to wait for the results of a test state-approved hotel. Even unvaccinated travelers must continue to meet this requirement.
The IRCC recommends that all family members listed on the permanent residence application travel to Canada at the same time, if possible.
What if my COPR has expired?
Because even before the pandemic, border officials did not accept expired documents. Since the validity of the COPR is tied to the holder’s medical examination, some of them issued after March 18 have already expired. There are currently no instructions for COPR holders with expired documents, but the Government website says there will be more information soon.
IRCC has said no one whose COPR has expired amid travel restrictions Canadian immigration must be re-applied for.
Instead, the government is promising a process to reissue documents. The IRCC website states that expired COPRs should not be contacted via the web form or the processing office email. If you have already done so, someone from the IRCC will review your request and give you instructions.
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