US-to-Canada Entry Ban for Foreign Nationals

Summary#

This is an Order in Council called Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States) made on August 20, 2020. It continues to block most foreign nationals from entering Canada from the United States and runs until September 21, 2020.

What it does#

• Prohibits a foreign national from entering Canada from the United States if they have COVID‑19 or show signs or symptoms (for example, fever with cough or breathing difficulties).
• Bars foreign nationals who want to enter for optional or discretionary purposes (for example, tourism, recreation or entertainment).
  • Exception: an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may enter if they intend to stay in Canada for at least 15 days.
• Bars foreign nationals who cannot meet the requirement to quarantine or isolate on arrival (the complementary order requires symptomatic people to isolate and asymptomatic people to quarantine for 14 days).
• Restricts foreign nationals seeking to make a refugee claim at the border, with specific exceptions for certain people and for U.S. citizens; references the existing rules under the immigration regulations and the Safe Third Country Agreement.
• Exempts certain groups from the prohibition, including people registered under the Indian Act, protected persons, people judged by the Chief Public Health Officer not to pose a public‑health risk, and travellers in continuous transit on a conveyance.
• Repeals the earlier related order (P.C. 2020-538) and replaces it.
• Notes penalties for breaching the rules: up to $1,000,000 in fines or imprisonment for three years, or both.

Who's affected#

• Foreign nationals in the United States trying to enter Canada for tourism or other discretionary reasons.
• Immediate family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who plan short visits (15 days or more may be required to qualify for the family exception).
• People trying to make refugee claims at the border — the order narrows where and how some claims can be made.
• Airlines, land‑border services and other travel operators who must enforce these rules.
• The order does not apply to Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the same way, but those people remain subject to quarantine and isolation rules on return.

Why it matters#

• The rule is meant to lower the chance of new COVID‑19 cases coming into Canada from the United States while the pandemic continues.
• It affects travel plans, family visits, and cross‑border tourism and related businesses.
• There are real penalties for ignoring the order.
• The measure is temporary and tied to the public‑health situation; it expires on September 21, 2020 unless replaced or extended.