Canadian born citizen with US citizenship (naturalization) wishes to return to Canada

[Idawmn]

Hello. I am a 61 year old Canadian citizen who has been living in the US for almost 18 years now. My husband is American. Due to marital breakdown I wish to move back to Canada permanently as my family resides (parents, adult daughters and grandkids) in Ontario. Due to what is going on with the Coronavirus would I still be able to enter into Canada? I would be looking at driving home with cats in tow and having a mover move my items across. I'm wondering how it works these days at the border with all that is going on. Thanks in advance.

 

[scylla]

Hello. I am a 61 year old Canadian citizen who has been living in the US for almost 18 years now. My husband is American. Due to marital breakdown I wish to move back to Canada permanently as my family resides (parents, adult daughters and grandkids) in Ontario. Due to what is going on with the Coronavirus would I still be able to enter into Canada? I would be looking at driving home with cats in tow and having a mover move my items across. I'm wondering how it works these days at the border with all that is going on. Thanks in advance.

Yes - you can move to Canada even during COVID-19 since you are a citizen. Note that you will need to enter a mandatory 14 day quarantine once you arrive and will not be able to leave the place where you are living for a 2 week period.

To the best of my knowledge moving services are not classified as an essential activity. So that part will have to wait until after the COVID-19 situation has resovled itself and the border has opened up to non-essential travel.

Make sure you check what vaccinations and paperwork you need to bring your cats to Canada.

 

[Idawmn]

Yes - you can move to Canada even during COVID-19 since you are a citizen. Note that you will need to enter a mandatory 14 day quarantine once you arrive and will not be able to leave the place where you are living for a 2 week period.

To the best of my knowledge moving services are not classified as an essential activity. So that part will have to wait until after the COVID-19 situation has resovled itself and the border has opened up to non-essential travel.

Make sure you check what vaccinations and paperwork you need to bring your cats to Canada.

Thank you so much for your fast response.

I was really hoping to get going on a mover. I want to be out of here as soon as I can as the situation has become unbearable. I have forms printed out where I itemize things, my cats are up to date on vaccinations so I can get a health certificate from my vet. I would be staying with my elderly parents.

I will do a little more research on getting stuff moved just in case there is a glimmer of hope on that. Perhaps even a U Haul?

Thank you again.

 

[scylla]

Thank you so much for your fast response.

I was really hoping to get going on a mover. I want to be out of here as soon as I can as the situation has become unbearable. I have forms printed out where I itemize things, my cats are up to date on vaccinations so I can get a health certificate from my vet. I would be staying with my elderly parents.

I will do a little more research on getting stuff moved just in case there is a glimmer of hope on that. Perhaps even a U Haul?

Thank you again.

I would recommend you contact large / well established moving companies and ask if they are doing cross border moves right now. They should be able to tell you what the situation is right now. I think you should be able to take a u-haul provided you are driving it yourself. Once again, recommend you call u-haul to find out any changes they have in place right now to policies and cross border vehicle moves due to COVID-19.

Worst case scenario, you could pay to put your stuff in strorage and return for it later. I'm assuming you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder and would have no issues re-entering the U.S. in the future.

 

[Idawmn]

I will call a couple of movers tomorrow. I figure U Haul is out of the question because of the things I'm bringing and I have the issue of the cats. Looking at renting a SUV to bring the cats back - 5 days of driving - uggggh. I'm on my own. I will call car rental agencies as well.

I have citizenship in the US by naturalization.

So much to think about.

Thank you.

 

[canuck78]

The other issue is that anyone coming from the US must go straight into quarantine so movers can’t be interacting with people and you can’t be interacting with family that may want to help you unpack. Unpacking is essentially the big issues. Would assume, like truckers, movers are to have as little contact with Canadians. Would definitely call CBSA and ask what can you do about movers. You will have to go into quarantine alone or with family without vulnerable people (elderly, newborns and immunocompromised). If you go into quarantine with others they have to commit to being inside for 14 days as well.

 

[Idawmn]

The other issue is that anyone coming from the US must go straight into quarantine so movers can’t be interacting with people and you can’t be interacting with family that may want to help you unpack. Unpacking is essentially the big issues. Would assume, like truckers, movers are to have as little contact with Canadians. Would definitely call CBSA and ask what can you do about movers. You will have to go into quarantine alone or with family without vulnerable people (elderly, newborns and immunocompromised). If you go into quarantine with others they have to commit to being inside for 14 days as well.

Thank you for this information. I have decided now just to sit tight and wait until this is all overwith even if it's going to take quite awhile.