Ebola travel, immigration and quarantine orders

Summary#

The government issued two emergency orders to reduce the risk of Ebola reaching Canada.
One order, Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order (Immigration Applications and Documents) under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, temporarily suspends some visa processing and travel documents for people who say they live in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan (effective May 27, 2026 to August 28, 2026). The other order, Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order, 2026 under the Quarantine Act, requires travellers who were in those countries in the last 21 days to be screened on arrival and to quarantine or isolate as needed (effective May 30, 2026 to August 29, 2026, with some entries covered until October 10, 2026).

What it does#

• Immigration documents and applications (IRPA order)

  • Suspends processing of applications made from outside Canada by people who say they reside in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan for:
    • permanent resident visas
    • temporary resident visas
    • electronic travel authorizations (eTA)
    • work permits
    • study permits
    • temporary resident permits
  • Suspends certain already-issued documents for those same residents (for example, issued TRVs, eTAs, and PR visas).
  • Exceptions: people already in transit to Canada when the order starts are excluded.
  • The Minister may exempt individuals, amend the order, or repeal it.
  • Government numbers show about 24,548 active applications/documents from people listing those countries as their residence.

• Arrival screening and quarantine/isolation (Quarantine Act order)

  • Applies to any traveller who has been in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, South Sudan or any country the Minister of Health labels “high” or “very high” risk in the last 21 days.
  • On arrival, travellers must disclose travel history and undergo a health assessment by a quarantine officer.
  • If asymptomatic: must provide a “suitable quarantine plan” and quarantine for 21 days, report their arrival address within 48 hours, and monitor and report symptoms during quarantine. If no suitable plan is provided, they go to a quarantine facility.
  • If symptomatic: immediate medical examination and isolation for 21 days (or longer until no public health risk).
  • Lists limited exemptions (e.g., aircrew, some diplomats, medical response personnel, Canadian Forces) and allows ministerial discretion for other exemptions with conditions.
  • Penalties for non‑compliance include fines up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for three years.

Who's affected#

• Travellers of any citizenship who were in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the last 21 days. They will face screening and likely a 21‑day quarantine or isolation on arrival to Canada.
• Foreign nationals who live in those three countries and who applied from outside Canada, or who already hold travel documents issued while they were living there — their applications or documents are temporarily suspended.
• People already en route to Canada when the immigration order came into force are excepted, but airlines may still refuse boarding.
• The orders do not apply to people inside Canada (for example those applying to extend a permit from within Canada) — the immigration suspension targets applications and documents linked to residence outside Canada in the listed countries.
• The orders name limited exemptions (crew, diplomats, medical responders, Canadian Forces) and allow case-by-case exemptions for urgent humanitarian or protection needs.

Why it matters#

• These are precautionary public‑health measures aimed at reducing the chance that Ebola (the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus) is brought into Canada and spreads. The action follows the World Health Organization declaring a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
• For real people, the orders can delay travel, study, work or family reunification for residents of the affected countries. People planning to travel to Canada from those places should expect screening and a likely 21‑day quarantine on arrival, and possible delays or suspension of pending visa applications.
• The measures are temporary (specific start and end dates) and include ministerial discretion to exempt urgent or humanitarian cases. They work alongside other airport screening and public‑health steps the government says it is taking. If the source is unclear about any specific personal case, affected people are advised to contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the Public Health Agency of Canada for details.