Spouse and common-law partners will soon be exempted from travel restrictions. Canada is opening up the border to allow couples to reunite, starting from 8th October 2020.
Couples who have been in an exclusive dating relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for at least one year, and who have spent time in the physical presence of their Canadian partner during the relationship, as well as their dependent children are eligible to enter Canada under this update. They will not need an essential reason to enter into Canada until they are going to stay for over 15 days, and fulfill the current eligibility and admissibility requisites.
They also need to:
- Submit the necessary documentation to IRCC, and signed statutory declaration to demonstrate that they fall under the definition of an “extended family member” of a Canadian
- Have a valid passport as well as travel documents
- Carry a written authorization from IRCC to travel to Canada as an extended family member
IRCC has said that elaborate information, such as the precise definition of extended family, as well as the criteria, will be provided on 8th October 2020. They said that extended family members must not make any travel plans until they fulfill all the requirements and receive all kinds of required permissions to enter into Canada under the updated policy.