Canada will suspend all immigration documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan beginning May 27 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The measure will remain in effect for 90 days.
- Documents affected – Any valid temporary resident visa (TRV), electronic travel authorization (eTA) or permanent‑resident (PR) visa held by a citizen or resident of the three countries will be blocked. Holders will not be permitted to travel to Canada while the suspension is in place.
- New applications – Canada will also pause processing of new immigration‑document applications from these countries for the 90‑day period.
- People already in Canada – Those who are already in Canada are not affected and may remain for the duration of their authorized stay.
Reason for the suspension
The Public Health Agency of Canada cited a “high or very high risk of outbreak of Ebola disease” in the three countries. The government framed the action as a precautionary step to protect public health and to maintain border integrity ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will host 13 matches in Toronto and Vancouver between June 11 and July 19 2026.
Legal basis
The suspension is one of the first major uses of the executive powers granted by Bill C‑12, which came into force on March 26 2026. Under the bill, the Governor in Council may suspend, cancel or vary immigration documents when deemed to be in the public interest for reasons that include public health.
Additional travel measures
- Quarantine requirement – Starting May 30 2026, any traveller returning to Canada who has been in an affected region (DRC, Uganda, South Sudan) within the previous 21 days must undergo quarantine, regardless of citizenship or residency status. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be screened at ports of entry before quarantine is imposed.
Practical advice
- Affected individuals should monitor Canada’s travel‑advisories page for updates.
- Those with pending or approved immigration documents from the three countries should anticipate delays and consider alternative plans until the suspension is lifted.
The measures are temporary and may be extended or expanded to other countries if the Ebola risk persists.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
