Coronavirus Update: Canada, United States, and Mexico Closed Border to Tourism and Recreational Travel For 30 Days (Updated)

Starting on March 21 and continuing to at least April 20, the land borders between Canada, the United States, and Mexico will be restricted to essential travel only. This does not apply to air, rail, or sea travel at this time. To learn about the TN visa available for these three countries, please click here. Update: This border closure has now been extended on March 21, 2021.

The Department of Homeland Security have defined non-essential travel as travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature, including sightseeing, gambling, and attending cultural events.

Essential travel includes the following:

• Citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States.
• Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States).
• Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions.
• Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada or Mexico in furtherance of such work).
• Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States 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 United States and Canada and Mexico).
• Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel.
• Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.

Trade and business travel are not considered essential but will continue with additional screening. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with valid travel documents (including visas and travel documents) are exempt from the restrictions. Foreign nationals should expect detailed questioning about their employment or business activities in the United States should they enter on B-1 Business visitor visas or visa waivers.

We have provided a number of links with key immigration information related to the Corona Virus.

• Top 10 Covid-19 Immigration Questions
• Implications of Layoffs for employers who have employees on H-1B and/or E-3 Visas
• USCIS announces flexibility for request for evidence (RFE) and Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
• Information on Consular closures during Covid-19
• USCIS issues guidance on Remote 1-9 verification during Covid-19
• USCIS office closures due to Covid-19
• Can I apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits while on a Visa?
• Canada/U.S. Border Closures
• USCIS announces temporary suspension of premium processing
• What can you do if your ESTA is running out? 
• Travel Ban for Europe
• Stimulus Bill (All 800 pages)
• Information on Small Business Loans related to the Stimulus package
• USCIS to accept scanned/reproduced signatures instead of “wet” signatures on immigration petitions and forms
• Implications of furlough or termination if you are on a TN visa
• Does the Stimulus Bill impact my immigration status? Is there a public charge concern?
• Understanding the Stimulus Package for Small Businesses and the Paycheck Protection Program
• Small Business Administration COVID-19 Loans