LMWF has received information that the Government of Canada has updated its list of who is exempt from COVID testing at the various stages of testing required for a return to Canada from abroad, as well as the attendant quarantine requirements.  You can access this information by clicking here. 

 

Please note that while the government website states that “you do not require a letter from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in order to be considered exempt from an Emergency Order if you meet one of the specified conditions,” it further notes that “PHAC can provide opinions on the interpretation of the exemptions as it relates to individual situations.” However, the website also states that these letters are not considered “exemption letters,” so travelers should be prepared to speak to how and why they qualify for an exemption when presenting an opinion letter from PHAC—and the decision to grant an exemption continues to sit with the Canada Border Services Agency officer assessing your admission. Travelers must request the exemption in order to be assessed for eligibility, as they will likely not be considered for an exemption otherwise.

 

If you would like a referral to Canadian immigration counsel to seek an opinion letter re: obtaining a travel exemption letter from PHAC, or for questions relating to Canadian COVID testing and quarantine requirements, please reach out to Elizabeth Klarin at eklarin@lippes.com, Eileen Martin at emartin@lippes.com, or any other LMWF immigration professional.