Non-optional and non-discretionary travel: COVID-19 program delivery

Air travel and border measures have been implemented to protect the health and safety of Canadians by restricting optional and discretionary international travel. These instructions describe IRCC’s role in supporting the administration of these measures and provide guidance on how to assess non-optional and non-discretionary travel.

On this page

• Restrictions overview
• Examples of travel for a non-optional or non-discretionary purpose

Restrictions overview

Restrictions vary depending on the foreign national’s point of departure. However, any COVID-19-symptomatic travellers will not be permitted to enter Canada.

Foreign nationals seeking to travel to Canada from any country other than the United States while the travel restrictions are in place need to satisfy government officials that

• they are covered by an exemption in the Orders (consult: Travel restriction exemptions for those Departing from a country other than the U.S.), and
• they are travelling for a non-optional and non-discretionary purpose

Foreign nationals seeking to travel to Canada from the United States while the travel restrictions are in place need to satisfy government officials that

• they are travelling for a non-optional and non-discretionary purpose

For more information on travel restrictions affecting foreign nationals, consult:

• Travel restriction measures: COVID-19 program delivery

Examples of travel for a non-optional or non-discretionary purpose

The exemptions under the Orders do not apply to foreign nationals travelling for optional or discretionary purposes. The onus is on the foreign national to demonstrate the purpose of their travel.

Immediate family members

Immediate family members (as defined in the Orders in Council) of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada will be deemed to be travelling for a non-discretionary or non–optional purpose if the travel is for 15 days or more and they are travelling with or to be with their Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member. In addition, officers should be flexible when processing immediate family members of Canadian Citizens and Permanent residents of Canada travelling for less than 15 days, if they are travelling for a non-discretionary or non-optional purpose

Immediate family members of temporary residents in Canada will still be required to provide evidence that their travel is non-optional or non-discretionary. For these immediate family members seeking to travel to Canada from any country other than the United States, an authorization letter issued by IRCC is required. This letter, issued for the purposes of reuniting immediate family members, should be sufficient evidence that travel is non-discretionary, as letters are only issued by IRCC when travel is for a non-discretionary purpose. In cases where new or conflicting information is provided at boarding or at the port of entry (POE), border services officers may utilize their discretion as always. IRCC officers will insert comprehensive notes in GCMS which will outline their rationale for issuing the authorization letter. If information comes to light for a CBSA Liaison Officer or border services officer that contradicts the original purpose of travel, the traveller may be denied travel to or entry to Canada.

Examples of other non-optional or non-discretionary travel:

• supporting Indigenous communities
• transiting through Canada for non-optional or non-discretionary purposes
• any other activities that are deemed non-optional or non-discretionary by the Government of Canada or based on an officer’s assessment
• foreign national coming for the birth of their own child to another foreign national with temporary resident status