Note: This article may be out of date and travel restrictions may have changed. Click here to explore the most recent updates and travel restrictions in Canada!
Beginning on March 22, 2020, the United States and Canada decided to go through with their plan to close the US/Canada border to non-essential businesses in an attempt to stop the Coronavirus outbreak.
The exception for traffic deemed “essential” as well as for trade transportation between the two countries announced appear to be an effort to keep at least part of the economic activity intact. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized “These supply chains ensure that food, fuel and lifesaving medicines reach people on both sides of the border,” noting that trucking would not be affected.
Guidelines for US Citizens Wanting to Go to Canada
- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States;
- Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States);
- Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
- Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such work);
- Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies);
- Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada);
- Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel;
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and
- Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.
Questions for Canadian Visa Holders Wanting to Enter the US
Q: Will travelers seeking to visit or care for family members in the U.S. be allowed to enter?
A: Yes
Q: Can someone with an E-1/E-2 visa still cross the border?
A: Yes
Q: Can someone with an TN visa still cross the border?
A: Yes
Q: Can someone with an L1 visa still cross the border?
A: Yes
Q: What about other work authorization?
A: Specific work situation details would be needed to answer this question.
VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Casey
Meet Casey, one of VisaPlace's immigration news contributors. She brings 6+ years of experience of content creation to VisaPlace. Casey has honed her expertise in delivering comprehensive and up-to-date content on immigration-related matters. Her work not only encompasses the complex legal aspects of immigration but also highlights the ever-evolving policies, procedures, and news that impact immigrants and aspiring visa holders.
