Canada has extended the temporary border measures that bar entry for travelers and suspend immigration processing for residents of Ebola‑affected regions. The extensions keep the restrictions in place until 28 September 2026.
Current restrictions
- Foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) within the previous 21 days are prohibited from entering Canada.
- Immigration documents (e.g., work permits, study permits, permanent‑residence applications) remain suspended for residents of the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Holders of these documents are not permitted to travel to Canada while the suspension is in effect.
- Canadian citizens and landed permanent residents who have been in the affected regions in the past 21 days may still enter Canada, but must undergo:
- a health assessment on arrival, and
- a 21‑day quarantine if asymptomatic, or isolation in a medical facility if symptoms develop.
The measures were announced in a Public Health Agency of Canada news release on 28 August 2026 and replace earlier provisions that were set to expire on 29 August 2026.
Timeline of the measures
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 30 May 2026 | First set of measures introduced: omnibus quarantine for all returning travelers and suspension of immigration documents for residents of DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. |
| 20 July 2026 | Travel ban on foreign nationals with recent DRC travel officially enacted. |
| 12 June 2026 | Government reported that 36,000 permanent‑residence applications were affected by the document suspensions. |
| 28 August 2026 | Extension of both the entry ban and document suspensions announced, now running through 28 September 2026. |
Legal and procedural context
- The suspensions marked the first use of the federal government’s expanded executive powers granted by Bill C‑12, which received Royal Assent in March 2026.
- Under the current framework, any immigration application filed by a resident of the three affected countries will remain on hold until the suspension is lifted.
Practical implications for applicants
- Applicants from the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan should anticipate delays in processing of work permits, study permits, and permanent‑residence applications until after 28 September 2026.
- Travelers with recent DRC exposure must plan for the possibility of being denied entry or required to undergo quarantine/isolation upon arrival.
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning from the affected regions should arrange for a health assessment and be prepared for a mandatory 21‑day quarantine period.
For the official announcement, see the Public Health Agency of Canada news release: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2026/08/government-of-canada-extends-temporary-border-measures-in-response-to-ebola-disease-outbreak.html.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
