Rules about entering the US during travel ban

[SnapesGirl]

Hi guys!

You're my last hope before I try spending hours on the phone getting through to the airline. I've looked everywhere online and just can't find exact info. Contacted the US embassy in Montreal, but of course they are closed. I'm a dual Canadian-US citizen living in Canada. I have a trip to Universal booked in September. From what I can tell, US citizens are allowed to go into the US during the travel ban and can certainly fly into the US (I think even Canadians can). What I can't figure out is if I can still enter for leisure purposes or if I have to be entering to LIVE in the US. I work at a Canadian immigration law firm and honestly, these travel ban laws for both countries are so convoluted!

Anyone happen to know what the rule currently is?

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

I’m just curious, are you building in two weeks post-vacation to isolate yourself? Anecdotally, I have heard Canadians are having no problems entering the US by air but can’t give you any concrete advice - sorry!

 

[chmurf]

In light of the ongoing coronavirus health emergency, on June 16, 2020, the United States (U.S.) announced that the land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21, 2020. The restriction on non-essential travel is also applicable to travelers seeking admission to the U.S. via ferry and commuter rail. There are exemptions from the restriction on U.S. entry by land, ferry, or commuter rail.

Who Is Exempt from Restrictions?
A non-exhaustive list of persons confirmed as exempt from the restriction on U.S. entry by land, ferry, or commuter rail is as follows:

• U.S. citizens and returning lawful permanent residents;
• Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the U.S.);
• Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
• Individuals traveling to work in the U.S. (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the U.S. and Canada in furtherance of such work);
• Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the U.S. to support federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies);
• Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the U.S. and Canada);
• Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel;
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the U.S.; and
• Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.

as you are a dual citizen, and if you hold a US passport (it is required for US entry anyway as you are a US citizen) then from what I can make of the proclamation, you're good to go.

But strongly consider the restrictions when you return from your florida trip. It's not just entering the US, it's returning the CA too.
you're good to go to the US, as long as no new restrictions are set. But when you return, you'll need to self isolate (quanrantine ) for 14 days, mandatory

 

[SnapesGirl]

I’m just curious, are you building in two weeks post-vacation to isolate yourself? Anecdotally, I have heard Canadians are having no problems entering the US by air but can’t give you any concrete advice - sorry!

From what I can see, I don't think I have to quarantine once I get there, but I do once I get back into Canada. Not a problem since I'm set up to work from home.


Thanks everyone for the responses! We'll see if anything changes in the next 2 months. Who knows what may happen anymore!

 

[chmurf]

Border closure has been extended another 30 days (up to 21 august) for non essential travel

 

[SnapesGirl]

Border closure has been extended another 30 days (up to 21 august) for non essential travel

Yeah I saw yesterday. What I find confusing though is that I am a US citizen so I think the non-essential ban doesn't refer to me as a citizen. I guess I'll wait and see what happens closer to September.

 

[Starwind]

Hi guys!

You're my last hope before I try spending hours on the phone getting through to the airline. I've looked everywhere online and just can't find exact info. Contacted the US embassy in Montreal, but of course they are closed. I'm a dual Canadian-US citizen living in Canada. I have a trip to Universal booked in September. From what I can tell, US citizens are allowed to go into the US during the travel ban and can certainly fly into the US (I think even Canadians can). What I can't figure out is if I can still enter for leisure purposes or if I have to be entering to LIVE in the US. I work at a Canadian immigration law firm and honestly, these travel ban laws for both countries are so convoluted!

Anyone happen to know what the rule currently is?

For entering the US, see https://ca.usembassy.gov/travel-restrictions-fact-sheet/

" U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with valid travel documents will be exempted. "

and

" Q: What about U.S. citizens and dual nationals who live abroad, will they be able to cross?

A: Yes, this action does not prevent U.S. citizens from returning home. "

As others have noted, under the current rules, assuming they are extended, as a Canadian citizen residing in Canada you would be allowed to return home to Canada [since the purpose of entering Canada at that point will be to return to your residence to live], but assuming it is still place there would be the 14 day quarantine you would be subjected to [and at crossing you would have to explain your quarantine plan to the satisfaction of the border agent].

Also, be aware that any travel insurance you have may be void due to the pandemic and/or government travel advisories. Ensure you know what is/is not covered before you travel.

If you aren't already enroled as a US citizen abroad I encouage you to consdier enrolling in the US Dept of State's STEP program: https://step.state.gov/step/ I have found them to be quite good at sending regular email updates throughout the covid situation.

Also, some good links for information for US citizens abroad / in Canada:

https://ca.usembassy.gov/
https://ca.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-canada/
https://ca.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/ [this has a lot of the alerts they have also sent by email if you are enroled in STEP and listed as being located in Canada]

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...ert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html
SW

 

[SnapesGirl]

For entering the US, see https://ca.usembassy.gov/travel-restrictions-fact-sheet/

" U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with valid travel documents will be exempted. "

and

" Q: What about U.S. citizens and dual nationals who live abroad, will they be able to cross?

A: Yes, this action does not prevent U.S. citizens from returning home. "

As others have noted, under the current rules, assuming they are extended, as a Canadian citizen residing in Canada you would be allowed to return home to Canada [since the purpose of entering Canada at that point will be to return to your residence to live], but assuming it is still place there would be the 14 day quarantine you would be subjected to [and at crossing you would have to explain your quarantine plan to the satisfaction of the border agent].

Also, be aware that any travel insurance you have may be void due to the pandemic and/or government travel advisories. Ensure you know what is/is not covered before you travel.

If you aren't already enroled as a US citizen abroad I encouage you to consdier enrolling in the US Dept of State's STEP program: https://step.state.gov/step/ I have found them to be quite good at sending regular email updates throughout the covid situation.

Also, some good links for information for US citizens abroad / in Canada:

https://ca.usembassy.gov/
https://ca.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-canada/
https://ca.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/ [this has a lot of the alerts they have also sent by email if you are enroled in STEP and listed as being located in Canada]

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...ert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html
SW

Thank you, Starwind! Great info! I did register for the STEP earlier this week so hopefully I've get some alerts from them too.

Really appreciate the help!

 

[Starwind]

Thank you, Starwind! Great info! I did register for the STEP earlier this week so hopefully I've get some alerts from them too.

Really appreciate the help!

Glad to be of assistance.

Here is one of the alerts from early April. As you can see the messaging is quite clear re: US citizens allowed to "return home" to the US.

https://ca.usembassy.gov/message-to-u-s-citizens-in-canada-answers-for-u-s-citizens-in-canada/
Also, this is an article/FAQ from US CBP: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1596?language=en_US

 

[nkereina]

I have a friend who is a U.S. citizen and his girlfriend lives in Canada. We live very close to the border. He's in the process of trying to obtain dual citizenship, and its my understanding from him that if he is able to, then he will be able to freely drive back and forth between Canada and his home. It sounds like the border closure would not be applicable to you as a dual citizen, but you'll want to confirm any potentially new quarantine mandates in Florida prior to travel.

 

[jaceraden]

There's probably a loophole to allow you to go. There's probably also a loophole that will allow you to bypass the 2 weeks quarantine once you get there. You might even be able to find a way to work around the 2 week quarantine at home but I'm happy to hear you at least have a plan for that.

But, ask yourself if you feel comfortable utilizing these loopholes for a vacation. There's a travel ban for a reason. COVID-19 doesn't care if you're a dual citizen. COVID-19 doesn't care that you really, really want to go on your trip. You put yourself, your family, everyone you come into contact with from the moment you leave home until roughly 2 weeks after you get home, at risk.

I work in Public Health in Canada. Luckily I have not yet personally had to deal with contact tracing but my colleagues have and it's just crazy to try to find all the contacts once someone is found to be positive. Once you let all the butterflies out of the net, it's hard to round them all back up.

A lot could change in 2 months but the numbers in Florida (and the US in general) right now should give anyone pause.

 

[nkereina]

There's probably also a loophole that will allow you to bypass the 2 weeks quarantine once you get there.

Unless something has recently changed, I believe the Florida quarantine mandate applies to those arriving from New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.

There's a travel ban for a reason.

Do you have an actual travel ban in Canada? There is not in the U.S., but there are quarantine mandates of different levels in various states. We can still freely travel domestically, but are required to quarantine in only certain instances.

The fact of the matter is that everyone will have a different risk tolerance for this. I don't knock anyone who's willing to go on their trip, just like I don't knock anyone who wants to stay home and limit outings.

 

[jaceraden]

Do you have an actual travel ban in Canada?

Our border is currently closed to non essential travel (in or out).

Normally I don't knock peoples' travel either. But, now is not normal times. What one person chooses to take on for risk ends up affecting every person he/she has contact with.

 

[damo]

Our border is currently closed to non essential travel (in or out).

Normally I don't knock peoples' travel either. But, now is not normal times. What one person chooses to take on for risk ends up affecting every person he/she has contact with.

Not to mention all the health care workers if you end up in the hospital once you return to Canada.

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

I think Canada is doing really well with suppressing the spread. Some people are still going to choose to travel. If they follow the recommendations regarding masks and hand washing, the risks might be low to their home community. Rather than viewing travellers as selfish, could you try and view them as guinea pigs? We’re getting good data on the transmissibility of Covid on airplanes by those willing to fly right now! (And I’m not ready to be a Guinea pig lol!)

 

[jaceraden]

If they follow the recommendations regarding masks and hand washing, the risks might be low to their home community. Rather than viewing travellers as selfish, could you try and view them as guinea pigs? We’re getting good data on the transmissibility of Covid on airplanes by those willing to fly right now! (And I’m not ready to be a Guinea pig lol!)

No. Just no.

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

No. Just no.

Ah well, best keep trying to police internet strangers then.