Canada Extends Ebola Immigration Restrictions to November
Canada has prolonged its Ebola-related immigration bans and travel restrictions through November 2026, keeping tens of thousands of applications on hold
Canada has extended its Ebola-related immigration and travel restrictions until November 27, 2026. The bans cover foreign nationals residing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, and also prohibit entry for any foreign national who has traveled to the DRC within the previous 21 days. Immigration document processing for residents of these three countries remains suspended.
Impact on applicants and travelers
Tens of thousands of people are left in limbo due to the suspension of immigration documents. This includes people who have been granted residency but are not in Canada. On June 12, the government said the suspensions affect 36,000 permanent-residence applications. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will continue processing but not finalizing new and existing applications affected by the measures.
People from Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been barred from travelling to Canada since May. Immigration documents, including valid visas and travel authorizations, remain suspended for people from all three countries.
Health measures for returning citizens and travelers
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days may enter Canada after a health assessment and a mandatory 21-day quarantine if asymptomatic. Symptomatic individuals must isolate in a medical facility upon arrival.
Foreign nationals not from the three affected countries but who have been in the DRC in the last 21 days cannot board a flight to Canada or transit through Canada. Those coming from South Sudan and Uganda must undergo a health assessment and quarantine for 21 days on arrival. An interim order under the Aeronautics Act bars airlines from boarding those travelers on flights to Canada.
The U.S. Government still bars people who have been in the DRC in the last 21 days from flying to the U.S. The U.S. Only allows foreign nationals who have been in Uganda and South Sudan to enter if they’ve been outside those countries for 21 days.
Context of the Ebola outbreak and international response
The World Health Organization has criticized Canada's measures. "The measures are based on fear rather than science. The agency does not recommend travel restrictions," the WHO said. The WHO notes the risk of transmission during air travel is low because Ebola is not airborne and states the risk of importing the virus 'remains very low'.
| Country | Confirmed Cases | Deaths | Outbreak Status (as of late Sept.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 8,067 | 3,901 | Ongoing; deadliest outbreak in history with a 48% fatality rate |
| Uganda | 20 | 2 | Declared over on August 27 after 42 days without new cases |
| South Sudan | 0 | 0 | No cases declared |
The DRC has reported more than 3,900 deaths since May. The WHO said this is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history and warned that the DRC was running out of health workers to contain the disease. The European Union has not restricted travel from affected countries.
Criticism and humanitarian concerns
Humanitarian workers from Canada say their work is being hampered by the restrictions. They warn the policy may harm the international response to the outbreak. Canadian government officials, including Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Immigration Minister Lena Diab, said the measures were a precautionary safety measure aligned with the United States and Mexico. The border measures were initially announced ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
IRCC will continue processing but not finalizing new and existing applications affected by the measures.
