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After 15 months, Canada’s border has reopened to approved permanent residents. These newcomers can now officially immigrate to Canada when they arrive at the border. Granted, they will be subject to the same public health measures that affect all incoming travellers.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino opened up Canada’s border to approved permanent residents on June 21, 2021. Before then, these individuals who had received their Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) document after March 18, 2020, were not exempt from travel restrictions. In order to complete the landing process, they needed to meet another exemption. As a result, they were stuck waiting in immigration limbo — not officially permanent residents even though they had passed every other stage of the immigration process.

Canadian officials said there are about 23,000 COPR holders outside Canada. Those whose documents are still valid are now exempt from travel restrictions. What’s more, fully vaccinated travellers can skip the mandatory quarantine.

t Residence (COPR) holders can now complete their landings and become Canadian immigrants.

Of course, the final decision on who gets to enter Canada rests with the border official. Preparing in advance can prevent unwanted surprises. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) webpages have official information, and they offer resources like the online travel restrictions tool. Also, travellers can contact Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to ask specific questions.

With that said, here is some general information about travelling to Canada as a COPR holder.

What to do before travelling to Canada during COVID?

It goes without saying, travellers should not attempt to cross the border if they have symptoms of COVID-19. Also, it is good to keep in mind that each province will have its own public health measures that are posted on their respective government websites.

Incoming travellers can use the ArriveCAN app to upload documents such as the quarantine plan, proof of negative COVID tests, and other required documents. Border officers have been accepting travel documents in this way throughout the pandemic.

All travellers, even if they are fully vaccinated, must still plan their mandatory quarantine. The government offers a tool for travellers to assess whether their quarantine plan is suitable. At the border, officers will generally want to see that travellers have a place to stay for 14 days. Also, they will want to see the plan for accessing food and other essential supplies. Moreover, travellers will have to show that they are not putting any vulnerable people at risk at their place of quarantine.

Travellers over the age of five need to provide a negative test, taken 72 hours before arriving at the border. Then, they must take another test on arrival.

There are different border measures depending on whether you are travelling by land or by plane. The big difference is air travellers will have to wait for the results of their on-arrival COVID test at a government-approved hotel.

Upon arrival, the traveller’s journey will depend on whether or not they are fully vaccinated with a vaccine that has been approved in Canada. So far, there are four: Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.