Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Permanent residents

We recognize that the travel restrictions for those who are outside the US will have an impact on many people who can’t travel to Canada right now. These restrictions stop all non-essential^{Footnote 1} (discretionary) travel to Canada.

Travelling to Canada: health check and quarantine

If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check conducted by airlines before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.

When you arrive in Canada, we’ll assess your health before you leave the port of entry. You must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms. If you don’t have a plan, you should not travel to Canada.

Only people who provide essential services, for example, truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods, are exempt from the quarantine requirements.

Last updated: May 15, 2020

Will I be allowed to re-enter Canada if I’m a permanent resident?

Yes. If you’re a landed permanent resident and have no symptoms of COVID-19, you’re allowed to travel to Canada.

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you will not be allowed to enter Canada by air. You can still enter at a land border.

You must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms. If you don’t have a plan, you should not travel to Canada.

If you’re travelling

You’ll need a valid permanent resident (PR) card or a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada by commercial vehicle (for example, airplane, bus, train or boat).

You can use other documents to return to Canada in a private vehicle that you own, borrow or rent (for example, a car, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle).

How to apply urgently for a PR card

What to do if your PR card expires when you’re outside Canada

If you haven’t landed yet

If we approved your permanent residence application on or before March 18, 2020, but you haven’t landed yet, you’re also exempt from the travel restrictions and allowed to come to Canada.

You must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada. This is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms. If you don’t have a plan, you should not travel to Canada.

Find out what to do for your landing appointment or if you have a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) that’s about to expire.

Are my family members allowed to come to Canada?

Your immediate family members are able to travel to Canada if they’re coming for an essential (non-discretionary) purpose.

Your immediate family members must also show that they’re coming to Canada for an essential^{Footnote 1} (non discretionary) purpose and not for a purpose that is optional or discretionary, such as tourism, recreation or entertainment.

They also need a visitor visa or eTA to travel to Canada. Find out how they can come to Canada.

Everyone who comes to Canada must quarantine for 14 days when they arrive, even if they have no symptoms.

Can I still get settlement services?

Yes, but only critical resettlement and settlement services. These include

income support and basic services, if you’re a government-assisted refugee
setting up medical appointments and helping with interpretation, if you need it
crisis counselling

Non-critical services may be provided by some organizations by telephone, email or online.

Find settlement services near you.

If you applied for Canadian citizenship

Find out how your Canadian citizenship application is affected by coronavirus (COVID19).

This includes guidance on

citizenship event cancellations
submitting your documents
new citizenship applications
time you’ve lived in Canada (physical presence)

COVID-19 information in multiple languages

The Public Health Agency of Canada website has resources in multiple languages to help you understand COVID-19. These include

factsheets
videos
recordings
infographics

You can find the languages of each resource under its description.

Language selection

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