Canada-US prepare a list of permitted travelers at the border

Canada and the US have coordinated to deal with the escalating COVID-19 situation. In the wake of the pandemic, the countries had restricted the entry of people across borders. This includes the travelers between the US and Canada who migrate for purposes like work in USA.

Lately, both countries have agreed to close borders to restrict human traffic. This is meant to control the spread of COVID-19. Even then, these countries have kept opportunities open for essential and productive trips.

The travel restrictions were imposed by Canada at its borders with the USA on March 21, 2020. Before the restrictions, the Canadian and US governments listed out the type of travelers allowed and stopped at the border.

In the restricted list were those who travel across the border for non-essential purposes. This specifically includes people seeking recreation and are tourists. These travelers are forbidden from crossing the Canada-US border for a period of 30 days, starting March 21, 2020. After this period, a review of the border restrictions will be done by both countries.

A statement was released by the Canadian government in this regard. It suggests that Canadian and American work permit holders will be treated as essential travelers. This will open an opportunity for work-related migrants to move to the USA. But this waiver is still not widely applicable. An official confirmation is due as the Canadian and US governments are yet to declare it.

On March 20, 2020, the US Department of Homeland Security released a notice. It detailed the provisions with specifics of the travel restrictions. As per this statement, only essential travel will be allowed through ferry terminals and land ports of entry along the US-Canada border. This classification will include, though not limited to:

• Lawful US permanent residents and US citizens returning to the US
• People traveling to attend educational institutions
• People traveling for medical purposes
• People traveling for emergency response and public health purposes. E.g. emergency responders or government officials entering the US to support efforts to respond to emergencies like COVID-19
• People traveling to work in the US. E.g. People working in the farming or agriculture industry traveling between Canada and the US
• People engaged in lawful cross-border trade. E.g. truckers moving cargo between Canada and the US
• Members of the US Armed Forces, and their spouses/children returning to the US
• People engaged in travel or operations related to military
• People engaged in diplomatic or official government travel

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to the USA, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

If you found this blog engaging, you may also like…

Grenada opens a new route for investors to the USA