New Ministerial Instructions by IRCC confirm that individuals exempt from travel restrictions including immediate family can obtain TRVs and eTAs
Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can now obtain the necessary documents to enter Canada temporarily.
Processing of temporary resident visas (TRVs) and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) will remain temporarily suspended except for exempt individuals travelling to Canada for essential purposes and eligible immediate family members who intend on remaining in Canada for at least 15 days.
This was set out in Ministerial Instructions released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) this afternoon.
Those currently able to come to Canada are defined under the laws governing Canada’s coronavirus travel restrictions (the laws are called “Orders in Council).
According to IRCC’s website, exempt travelers individuals include, but are not limited to, temporary foreign workers, study permit and confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) holders who obtained their status prior to the middle of March (March 16 for study permit holders and March 18 for COPR holders), Canadian citizens and permanent residents, among other individuals. Get
Upon arrival, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) must determine the purpose of their travel to be essential.
However, some of these immediate family members will need TRVs and eTAs to enter Canada, an issue which has now been addressed through today’s Ministerial Instructions announcement.
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which is Canada’s main immigration law, the federal immigration minister has the legal authority to release Ministerial Instructions to help achieve the country’s public policy goals.
In this case, the Ministerial Instructions confirm that Canada will only continue to process TRVs and eTAs for individuals currently exempt from coronavirus travel restrictions.
Immediate family of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are defined as:
• Spouses or common-law partners
• Dependent children
• Grandchildren
• Parents or step-parents
• Guardians or tutors
Today’s Ministerial Instructions are only valid until June 30th, when Canada’s COVID-19 travel restrictions are set to expire. The Canadian government will provide another update prior to June 30 about its travel regulations beyond that date.
