Update on Canada's Travel Restrictions

March 21, 2020POEA ADVISORY NO. 31-20UPDATE ON CANADA'S TRAVEL RESTRICTIONSThe Government of Canada through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provided an update on travel restrictions put in place on its borders to stem the spread of COVID-19. HTcADCExemptions to the air travel restrictions will apply to foreign nationals who have already committed to working, studying or making Canada their home, and travel by these individuals will be considered essential travel for land border restrictions. The exemptions include:• Seasonal agricultural workers, fish/seafood workers, caregivers and all other temporary foreign workers;• International students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020; and• Permanent resident applicants who had been approved for permanent residence before the travel restrictions were announced on March 16, 2020, but who had not yet travelled to Canada.Further, a temporary modification is being made to the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process for agriculture and food processing employers, as the required 2-week recruitment period will be waived...