Our son with his wife and two grandsons are in Canada on a temporary work permit as a pastor. We are all US citizens and have found conflicting information on the website about whether we need permission to enter CA for a 6 week visit at this time. One page says we need a letter, another says we do not. We have a 2 week quarantine plan I submitted with the application several weeks ago and have not gotten a replay. Can anyone help me? Our son and DIL desperately need some relief and support during this worldwide crisis.
US citizens trying to come help son and his family
- Thread starter suprsons
- Start date
Unfortunately you don't qualify under any of the existing exemptions since your son daughter in law are in Canada on temporary visas and you're looking to enter as visitors. The exemptions for family members are only available to immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Under the current rules and border restrictions, only essential travel is allowed and unfortunately your travel will be classified as non-essential due to your son's / DIL's status in Canada and the fact you are entering as visitors. IMO your only hope would be to get the approval you've requested. However technically you don't qualify so I wouldn't hold out too much hope that you'll get a positive response. Having said that, anything is possible.
.....if they are in desperate need of support & relief , they could always visit you in the States
Would this not be non essential travel into the US as well ?
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1596?language=en_US
Yes, they could but would have to quarantine 2 weeks upon returning like everyone else. Two weeks in a 800 sf apartment with no way to go outside with 2 and 4 year old boys is very taxing. They have been very strict about maintaining their bubble with one other family of 5 so are worn pretty thin. It would be impossible financially for them to come to the US and then miss 2 additional weeks of work.
If that's the case, then I think you will have to wait until the Canadian / U.S. border restrictions are eased in a number of months before a visit will be possible (with you coming here). Obviously see what the outcomes are of the request you've sent to have your travel to Canada considered as essential. However on paper, you unfortunately don't meet the criteria. So the chances they will consider your request are likely very low.