U.S. Land Borders Remain Closed to Non-Essential Travel

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will continue to limit “non-essential travel” at its land borders with both Canada and Mexico for an additional 30 days through April 21, 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Restricted travel includes travel via ferry service and other “non-essential” travel for recreation, tourism, or visitation of family and friends.  It is recommended to travel by air if there is a need to cross the border.  

While the determination of essential travel continues to be at the discretion of the port of entry, CBP has confirmed that “essential travel” includes:

  • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the U.S.

  • Individuals traveling to work in the U.S., attend educational institutions, or who are traveling for medical purposes.

  • Individuals traveling for emergency response including efforts to respond to Covid-19.

  • Individuals engaged in cross-border trade, official government travel, diplomatic travel, or military related travel.

  • Members of the U.S. military and their spouses and children returning to the U.S.

  • Members of federally recognized Tribes, whose reservations span the US-Canada border when traveling from one part of a reservation to another.

Canada also has extended its travel restrictions through April 21, 2021. Those who can enter Canada include:

  • Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

  • Person registered under Canada's Indian Act.

  • Foreign Nationals coming for an essential purpose from the United States.

  • Foreign Nationals coming for an essential purpose from a country other than the United States that are exempt from the travel restrictions.

The land borders have been closed since March 21, 2020, to non-essential travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  According to DHS, the U.S. government is maintaining cross-border activities with Canada and Mexico that support health security, trade, commerce, supply security, and other essential activities while taking steps to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as soon as they become available. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you would like to discuss this development further, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Nadia Yakoob