It’s been almost 15 months since travel restrictions were implemented in Canada. However, the country has now decided to provide some relaxation to the approved permanent residents. Canada is offering permanent residence to the approved residents. They can now arrive in the country and claim their PR. However, upon arrival, they will have to follow the standard procedure and measures for COVID prevention.
On 21st June, the immigration minister of the country opened up the border for approved residents. Prior to the relaxation, whoever received their COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residency) after 18th March 2020 had to follow the travel restriction. To complete the residence acceptance, they had to get an exemption, and that’s why they were stuck even after getting the approval.
According to official reports, around 23,000 COPR issued to individuals outside the country. Whose COPR documents are still not expired can now travel to Canada. Also, if they are fully vaccinated, then they don’t have to follow the regular quarantine procedure.
Even after the approval and a valid COPR, the final decision would be taken by the officials at the country’s border.
To avoid such surprises, one should be prepared in advance, and that’s why IRCC had uploaded related guidelines on this site. They further provide info on the travel restrictions tool and an option to contact Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).
We have suggested some of the key points for you before travelling to Canada with a COPR.
What to do before going to Canada during the pandemic?
It is a basic thing, but still, we would like to mention that if the traveller has symptoms of COVID so he/she should avoid travelling to Canada. Also, before travelling to any particular province, please check their specific health protocols related to COVID and make arrangements accordingly. That info is available on the official sites of each region.
The government has developed an app, ArriveCAN. Travellers can use the platform to upload their concerned documents and quarantine plan in advance. Since last year, authorities at various borders have been accepting the documents through the app only.
Even for fully vaccinated individuals, it is mandated to make a plan for quarantine upon arrival. There is a tool to assess if the plan meets the standard guidelines or not. The officers at borders will ask for a plan for 14 days quarantine period. That includes stay, grocery and essentials supply.
For children over five years, a negative RTPCR (taken within 72 hours of arriving) is needed, and further, there will be another test when they arrive in the country.
There are different norms for people travelling by land and air. The major difference is that people opting for flights will have to reside in an authorized hotel while waiting for their test results.
It all depends on the vaccination status of the travelling individual and if the vaccine taken is approved by Canada. At the moment, the country has approved four vaccines: Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, Astra Zeneca, and Pfizer.
For individuals who have not taken the vaccine yet, will have to follow the usual protocol set by the country. Fully vaccinated travellers can skip the 8th day’s test.
Norms for fully vaccinated COPR owners
The Canadian government launched a new policy for fully vaccinated travellers on 5th July. So for such individuals, only a test is needed upon arrival, and in the meantime, they can be home-quarantined.
Children who are not eligible for vaccination and if they are travelling so they will have to be home-quarantined for 14 days. Their parents can skip if they have completed vaccination doses. And such a family can skip being quarantined in an approved hotel.
The immigration department suggests families travel together if they are included in the same PR application.
Expired COPR
Even before the pandemic, expired COPR was of no use as it depends on various factors. However, the expired COPRs due to the pandemic and travel restrictions followed after it may have some hope left, but there is no official announcement yet. The government will soon provide some information for such cases.
IRCC stated that those whose COPR has expired because of the outbreak would not have to reapply for PR. Instead, there will be a renewal or re-issuance of the document. IRCC has mentioned on their site not to contact them using the web form or office email. If you already did, then someone from the office will contact and guide you with further instructions.
