Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, health, and public safety, has just announced in a press conference in Ottawa that the Covid-19 induced restrictions will be relaxed for individuals who hold a study permit, are extended family members of Canadian citizens, or are entering on a compassionate grounds.
Since the starting of the lockdown in Canada on 18 March, there have been regular extensions and new guidelines regarding the travel bans and restrictions that are issued every month. When travel restrictions were imposed, only those students who were issued a study permit before March 18 were allowed to travel to Canada.
The major statement issued by Mendicino states that the international students who have received their study permits and are enrolled at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) but are stuck at their home countries due to the pandemic will be allowed to travel to Canada after 20 October if the DLI they have enrolled at requires in-class attendance for lab-work or workshops. International students will only be able to travel if the DLI they have enrolled at follows all the necessary guidelines and has a Covid-19 readiness plan as per the requirements mentioned by the state or the province their DLI is located in.
All international travelers will have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine as per the rules stated by the government of Canada.
“Starting in late October, international students attending a designated learning institution that has been identified by their provincial or territorial government as having a COVID‑19 readiness plan will also be able to enter Canada”.
– Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, health, and public safety,
Mendicino has stated that from October 6, extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residence holders, as well as people entering for compassionate reasons such as the death of a loved one or to attend a funeral, will be allowed to enter Canada provided they have the necessary authorization and documents proving themselves as extended family.
According to the government of Canada, The extended family members of Canadian citizens who are exempt from travel restrictions are as follow:
- Exclusive partner of a Canadian who is in a relationship with others for at least a year, and have been in the physical presence of each other during their relationship.
- Grand-children of Canadian citizens.
- Siblings (Including Step and half-siblings).
- Children of Citizens over the age of 22.
According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), more details on the travel rules and regulations, and there will be a tedious process for authorization for extended family members. All the details will be available on their website from 8 October.
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