Post the completion of a period of about 15 months, Canada’s borders are officially ready to welcome all those approved permanent residency candidates who are now permitted to immigrate to the nation. However, they shall still be liable to abide by the same public health measures that the rest of the locals are accountable for.

This reopening of the Maple country’s borders took place by Marco Mendicino, Canada’s immigration Minister on the 21st of June, 2021. Prior to this notion, all those candidates who had received their Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPOR) documentation before the date of 18th March 2020 were still liable to face the prevalent travel restrictions owing to the pandemic. To complete their personal landing process, it was compulsory for them to abide by alternate exemptions. This had them stuck in the middle of the PR hassle, without gaining permanent residency status despite having cleared all the official requirements well in advance.

Canadian officials revealed the striking presence of approximately 23,000 COPR holders still awaiting outside the nation’s borders. Everyone having completely validated documentation is permitted to skip travel restrictions while those undergoing full vaccination are also free from the compulsory hotel quarantine period.

However, the ultimate decision lies with the officials at the border who decide which individuals are permitted to enter the nation. Advance preparation is key to avoid being bombarded with unnecessary surprises. Resources like the Online Travel Restrictions tool along with other resources and official data pertaining to the same are uploaded in a timely manner on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) main webpage. Individuals could also resort to connecting with the CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) to receive clarification on certain queries.

Measures to take during COVID-19 before traveling to Canada

Travelers are strictly advised against traveling or moving outside borders and other confinements in case they present with symptoms pertaining to the coronavirus. Everyone should consistently stay updated regarding each province’s unique public health measures which are constantly being updated and uploaded on their official government websites.

Travelers wishing to enter the nation are required to dutifully upload any compulsory documentation like their quarantine plans, evidence showing negative COVID-19 test results, and the like onto the ArrivaCAN application. During the course of the pandemic, this is the acceptable route that border officials have been using to source data from travelers.

Irrespective of the traveling individuals receiving both vaccine shots, they’re still required to upload their mandatory plans for quarantine. The Canadian government also invented a novel tool for such individuals to assess the acceptability and suitability of their plans. When presenting at the border, officials usually wish to confirm whether one presents with a fixed stay location for a period of 14 days. They’ll also wish to be notified regarding the individual’s plan of action to procure food and other essential substances. It shall also be needed that travelers provide proof of avoiding risking any vulnerable population groups during their mandatory quarantine stay.

All those above the age of 5 years need to disclose negative test results that were taken 72 hours prior to arrival at the border. They would also be required to undergo a second test as soon as they arrive.

The measures vary based on the preferred mode of transport, be it via land or by airways. The only difference lies in the fact that those traveling by air would have to wait an additional period to obtain their on-arrival test results for COVID-19 while stopping over at a hotel approved by the government.

As soon as they arrive at the border, a decision will be taken based on the type of vaccination the travelers have received and whether they have received a single shot or both doses. Presently, 4 companies’ vaccines have been approved by the Canadian authorities, namely those from Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

Those travelers who have failed to be vaccinated would be required to stay over at a government-approved hotel until their test results arrive. This step is not to be undertaken by those fully vaccinated, the step requiring others to catch up on a COVID-19 test on their eighth day of quarantined hotel stay.

No Quarantine for Fully Vaccinated COPR holders

Beginning from the 5th of July, 2021 at 11:59 P. M. EDT, those who have been fully vaccinated and wish to travel to the Maple country shall be totally exempted from travel restrictions and regulations. They could opt to reside at their house while awaiting their test results as they took it upon arrival at the borders.

Those kids who haven’t reached the suitable age range for receiving the vaccine should continue to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period at their homes, though this rule doesn’t apply to their parents if they’ve been fully vaccinated. Those newly arriving into the nation are not required to get quarantined at a hotel but will have to await their test results at a hotel approved by the government. This isn’t applicable to those travelers who haven’t been vaccinated.

An important recommendation by the IRCC is that every member of the family if mentioned on the same PR application, must arrive in the country at the same time.

Measures to undertake on COPR Expiry

Even well before the strike of the COVID-19 pandemic expired documents are a big-No for border officials. Depending upon the validity of the COPR holder’s application as connected to their medical exam report, those issued post the 18th of March have already been expired. At the moment, there exists zero information regarding COPR holders having expired documentation, however, the government officials have notified there being a possibility of some data being released soon.

It’s not stated by the IRCC that those COPR holders having expired documentation are required to reapply for Canadian Immigration.

The Canadian government instead highlights the possibility of installation of a process for the reissuance of expired documents. The IRCC website clearly states that those with expired documentation are advised against connecting with them through the website form or the shared email ID. In case someone has already done the same, an official from the IRCC shall definitely look into his/her details and share further instructions.