Immigration Update: U.S./Canada Border Closed to Non-Essential Travel

On March 18, 2020, President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau announced that the U.S./Canada border would be closed to “non-essential” traffic. This announcement supersedes Canada’s earlier travel restrictions that contained an exception for U.S. citizens traveling to Canada.

U.S Customs and Border Protection has not yet provided guidance on the types of essential travel from Canada that will be permitted into the U.S. The Canadian Border Service Agency’s website states that “Travel for the purpose of obtaining immigration services is non-essential.”

Similarly, the Department of State has also cancelled routine visa appointments in Canada until further notice.

These restrictions will impact U.S./Canada business travel, including TN, L-1, and E-1/E-2 Canadian nonimmigrants who frequently travel back to Canada to renew their U.S. immigration status. Canadian nonimmigrants in the U.S. should plan to file renewals with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to avoid possible disruptions in their work continuity.

If you have any questions about travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada, please contact Gee & Zhang, LLP.