Crossing USA / Canada Border During COVID
May 14, 2020, 5:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Calgary, AB
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Crossing USA / Canada Border During COVID
I'm not sure of a better forum for this question but just trying to understand if anyone here as flown across the border in both directions for work/business and what the experience has been. I have a couple things that I'm trying to accomplish here for business purpose including an in person TN Visa renewal, and in person meeting/interview in YVR from someone in USA. I have not been able to find any intel on this from searching
1) Inbound to Canada- are they asking for reason of visit, ie letter of invite from business, or work purpose beyond verbal? Are they asking for proof of 14 day residence /quarantine plan / return ticket?
2) Outbound to USA- basically same, what are the questions being asked of business travelers to USA?
I don't know anyone who has flown across the border for a while so any guidance here is appreciated,. Thank you.
1) Inbound to Canada- are they asking for reason of visit, ie letter of invite from business, or work purpose beyond verbal? Are they asking for proof of 14 day residence /quarantine plan / return ticket?
2) Outbound to USA- basically same, what are the questions being asked of business travelers to USA?
I don't know anyone who has flown across the border for a while so any guidance here is appreciated,. Thank you.
May 14, 2020, 5:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*A
Posts: 482
1) Inbound to Canada- are they asking for reason of visit, ie letter of invite from business, or work purpose beyond verbal? Are they asking for proof of 14 day residence /quarantine plan / return ticket?
I don't know anyone who has flown across the border for a while so any guidance here is appreciated,. Thank you.
I don't know anyone who has flown across the border for a while so any guidance here is appreciated,. Thank you.
May 14, 2020, 6:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Montreal & Nashville
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Posts: 391
When I crossed I had a letter from the gov't agency that runs the plant where I was going to work saying the project was essential and any stay at home was not applicable. Then a letter from my employer proving I was working on that project.
I applied and got my L1 visa at the airport no issue.
Coming back when I drove to the border initially to get the visa (which they refused to give in advance), they took my name, address, phone and gave me a call the next day to make sure I knew about the quarantine rules.
I applied and got my L1 visa at the airport no issue.
Coming back when I drove to the border initially to get the visa (which they refused to give in advance), they took my name, address, phone and gave me a call the next day to make sure I knew about the quarantine rules.
May 14, 2020, 7:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
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When I crossed I had a letter from the gov't agency that runs the plant where I was going to work saying the project was essential and any stay at home was not applicable. Then a letter from my employer proving I was working on that project.
I applied and got my L1 visa at the airport no issue.
Coming back when I drove to the border initially to get the visa (which they refused to give in advance), they took my name, address, phone and gave me a call the next day to make sure I knew about the quarantine rules.
I applied and got my L1 visa at the airport no issue.
Coming back when I drove to the border initially to get the visa (which they refused to give in advance), they took my name, address, phone and gave me a call the next day to make sure I knew about the quarantine rules.
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US
May 14, 2020, 7:57 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Calgary, AB
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Posts: 144
Ok that app is new since I saw the page last, thanks for sharing. Yes I am talking about a YVR or YYZ crossing back to Canada. So at the airport, you can enter as NON-ESSENTIAL? I was not aware it is only land crossing. Do the BSOs take your info in and check up on you / phone / visit? Seems like an excessive use of resources or impossible task, but just trying to prepare the person coming in what to expect.
May 14, 2020, 8:11 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2012
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It is different at land crossings. Only essential travel is permitted for land crossings. I believe the OP is asking about flying where there is no such restriction (although non-essential travel is still discouraged), just the 14 day self quarantine rules.
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US
As per Air Canada for inbound -The Government of Canada has restricted non-essential travel of foreign nationals across its border, and therefore travel that is for optional, non-essential or discretionary purposes will not be permitted. Non-essential travel includes travelling for purposes such as tourism, sightseeing, recreation, entertainment, social visits and religious functions.
Your US link states;
On March 21, 2020, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada temporarily restricted non-essential travel across the US-Canada land borders. On April 20, 2020, all parties agreed to extend the restrictions on non-essential travel across their shared borders for 30 additional days.
May 14, 2020, 10:12 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
I know a coworker, who is a US Citizen married to a Canadian citizen, living in Seattle.
The canadian's mom got sick in Vancouver, so they both drove up. The US citizen was given a hard time at the border, and they had to prove where they would be able to quarantine for 14 days (at some airbnb they got) and some convincing on why exactly the us citizen needed to accompany their spouse, was it really essential (yes it was, the canadian was distraught over mom's sickness so couldn't drive safely).
In the end the Blaine road border folks did let them in, but it required some convincing and they did it as a favor.
The canadian's mom got sick in Vancouver, so they both drove up. The US citizen was given a hard time at the border, and they had to prove where they would be able to quarantine for 14 days (at some airbnb they got) and some convincing on why exactly the us citizen needed to accompany their spouse, was it really essential (yes it was, the canadian was distraught over mom's sickness so couldn't drive safely).
In the end the Blaine road border folks did let them in, but it required some convincing and they did it as a favor.
May 14, 2020, 10:27 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
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There is no differentiation between air travel entry and at land border crossings. Non essential travel across the border by foreign nationals is forbidden by both the USA and Canada.
As per Air Canada for inbound -The Government of Canada has restricted non-essential travel of foreign nationals across its border, and therefore travel that is for optional, non-essential or discretionary purposes will not be permitted. Non-essential travel includes travelling for purposes such as tourism, sightseeing, recreation, entertainment, social visits and religious functions.
Your US link states;
On March 21, 2020, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada temporarily restricted non-essential travel across the US-Canada land borders. On April 20, 2020, all parties agreed to extend the restrictions on non-essential travel across their shared borders for 30 additional days.
As per Air Canada for inbound -The Government of Canada has restricted non-essential travel of foreign nationals across its border, and therefore travel that is for optional, non-essential or discretionary purposes will not be permitted. Non-essential travel includes travelling for purposes such as tourism, sightseeing, recreation, entertainment, social visits and religious functions.
Your US link states;
On March 21, 2020, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada temporarily restricted non-essential travel across the US-Canada land borders. On April 20, 2020, all parties agreed to extend the restrictions on non-essential travel across their shared borders for 30 additional days.
May 15, 2020, 6:27 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
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At PM’s briefing yesterday first question raised the issue of the US partner of a pregnant woman refused entry. Border officials deemed his reason non-essential, according to reporter. Unable, therefore, to be present at upcoming birth. PM was unequivocal in his response — no non-essential travel.
May 15, 2020, 7:19 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
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Posts: 2,272
At PM’s briefing yesterday first question raised the issue of the US partner of a pregnant woman refused entry. Border officials deemed his reason non-essential, according to reporter. Unable, therefore, to be present at upcoming birth. PM was unequivocal in his response — no non-essential travel.
May 15, 2020, 12:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Montreal & Nashville
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It is different at land crossings. Only essential travel is permitted for land crossings. I believe the OP is asking about flying where there is no such restriction (although non-essential travel is still discouraged), just the 14 day self quarantine rules.
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US
May 15, 2020, 8:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
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Posts: 1,000
I flew to Tampa on Monday for work out of YYZ and flew back on Thursday. I have a TN Visa. No issues. I downloaded the ArriveCAN and submit my info.
While crossing to the US, the border agent just ask me if I'm going in with my TN. I said yes and I was on my way.
I don't know if they're still processing TN renewals, but getting through with a TN is no issues.
Just a reminder to check the state that you are going to does not have any quarantine requirements.
While crossing to the US, the border agent just ask me if I'm going in with my TN. I said yes and I was on my way.
I don't know if they're still processing TN renewals, but getting through with a TN is no issues.
Just a reminder to check the state that you are going to does not have any quarantine requirements.
Last edited by GateGuardian; May 15, 2020 at 8:28 pm
May 16, 2020, 7:09 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 66
Just looking for some clarification. I get that land border crossings into the USA from Canada are for essential only. For air crossings (flying from Canada to the USA), is non-essential allowed? This website https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US only seems to talk about the land border and I have read somewhere else that the ban of non-essential travel only applies to land border and not when flying by air?
May 16, 2020, 7:13 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I'm not sure of a better forum for this question but just trying to understand if anyone here as flown across the border in both directions for work/business and what the experience has been. I have a couple things that I'm trying to accomplish here for business purpose including an in person TN Visa renewal, and in person meeting/interview in YVR from someone in USA. I have not been able to find any intel on this from searching
1) Inbound to Canada- are they asking for reason of visit, ie letter of invite from business, or work purpose beyond verbal? Are they asking for proof of 14 day residence /quarantine plan / return ticket?
2) Outbound to USA- basically same, what are the questions being asked of business travelers to USA?
I don't know anyone who has flown across the border for a while so any guidance here is appreciated,. Thank you.
1) Inbound to Canada- are they asking for reason of visit, ie letter of invite from business, or work purpose beyond verbal? Are they asking for proof of 14 day residence /quarantine plan / return ticket?
2) Outbound to USA- basically same, what are the questions being asked of business travelers to USA?
I don't know anyone who has flown across the border for a while so any guidance here is appreciated,. Thank you.
Just looking for some clarification. I get that land border crossings into the USA from Canada are for essential only. For air crossings (flying from Canada to the USA), is non-essential allowed? This website https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US only seems to talk about the land border and I have read somewhere else that the ban of non-essential travel only applies to land border and not when flying by air?
May 16, 2020, 3:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
https://ca.usembassy.gov/travel-rest...ns-fact-sheet/
Borders with Canada
- On April 20, the United States and Canada announced a mutual agreement to extend restrictions on non-essential travel across our shared border for an additional 30 days.
A: This action does not apply to air, rail, or sea travel at this time, but does apply to commuter rail and ferry travel.
And as the previous poster notes, the CBP fact sheet references only land crossing as well.
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US