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Canada has extended temporary Ebola-related immigration measures until September 28, 2026.
Some immigration documents remain suspended for people who listed affected countries as their last country of residence.
Foreign nationals who were recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face additional travel restrictions.
The temporary Ebola-related immigration measures will remain in effect until 11:59:59 p.m. ET on September 28, 2026.
The measures apply to foreign nationals who listed the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan or Uganda as their last country of residence in their Canadian immigration application. (IRCC)
The Government of Canada says the measures were first put in place on May 27, 2026, and have now been extended for another 30 days.
Under the temporary measures, certain immigration documents belonging to affected foreign nationals are temporarily suspended.
These include:
If a document is suspended, it cannot be used to board a flight or travel to Canada, even if it was previously approved. (IRCC)
Yes.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will continue processing new and existing applications from people affected by the measures.
However, applications will not be finalized while the temporary measures remain in place.
Once the measures end or are repealed, valid documents will no longer be suspended and IRCC will resume final decisions on affected applications. (IRCC)
The measures apply based on a person's last country of residence listed in their immigration application, rather than simply their citizenship.
This means a citizen of one of the affected countries is not automatically subject to the measures if they were living outside the affected countries when they applied for their Canadian immigration document.
IRCC says people who were living outside the affected countries when they applied are not affected by these specific measures. (IRCC)
There is also a separate travel restriction involving the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Since July 20, 2026, foreign nationals cannot board a flight to Canada if they have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at any point during the previous 21 days.
This restriction applies to both direct and indirect flights to Canada. (Government of Canada)
Foreign nationals who have been in South Sudan or Uganda during the previous 21 days may return to Canada if they have a valid temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization and a valid travel document such as a passport.
They will also need to complete a medical screening and follow applicable public health measures when they arrive in Canada. (IRCC)
Having a previously approved Canadian visa or other immigration document does not necessarily mean an affected traveller can use it while the measures are active.
If IRCC suspends the document, it becomes temporarily invalid for travel to Canada.
When the measures end, IRCC says the document will automatically be reactivated if it remains valid. Travellers do not need to apply to reactivate it. (IRCC)
The temporary suspension does not extend the expiry date of an immigration document.
If the document expires while the measures are in place, the affected person may need to apply for another document if they want to travel to Canada in the future. (IRCC)
Yes.
People affected by the measures can request an exemption from IRCC.
Applicants need to explain why they should be exempt and provide evidence showing that they do not pose a public health risk.
IRCC says exemption requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Officials may consider public health risks, steps taken to reduce those risks, urgent protection needs and humanitarian or compassionate circumstances. (IRCC)
The temporary measures do not affect the status of people who were already in Canada when the measures were introduced.
They can remain in Canada for the period they were authorized to stay.
People who were in Canada and were notified that they are affected can contact IRCC to request an exemption. (IRCC)
For affected applicants, the extension means that the temporary restrictions will remain in place for another month.
Applications can continue to move through the processing system, but final decisions will remain paused while the measures are active.
For travellers, the rules mean that checking the latest Canadian immigration and border information before travelling is particularly important.
The Government of Canada says border measures can change with little notice as the international situation develops. (Government of Canada)
The Government of Canada says there are currently no reported cases of Ebola disease in Canada.
Despite the low risk to people in Canada, the government is maintaining a precautionary approach because of the severity of Ebola disease and the changing international situation. (Government of Canada)
Canada says it is continuing to monitor the situation and will adjust its measures when necessary based on scientific evidence and global epidemiological trends.
People who may be affected should check their email for notification from IRCC about suspended immigration documents.
Travellers should also check the latest official information before making travel plans.
If an exemption is needed, IRCC provides a process through its crisis web form, where applicants can submit supporting information and documents. (IRCC)
Canada has extended its temporary Ebola-related immigration measures until September 28, 2026.
The extension means some foreign nationals connected to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda will continue to face immigration document suspensions and application finalization delays.
A separate restriction also prevents certain foreign nationals who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from travelling to Canada.
For affected applicants and travellers, the key date is September 28, but the government can change the measures earlier depending on the international situation.
If your Canadian immigration document has been suspended under the Ebola measures, you cannot use it to board a flight or travel to Canada while the suspension remains active. IRCC says affected applications can continue to be processed, but they will not be finalized until the measures end or are repealed.
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The current temporary measures are scheduled to remain in place until September 28, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. ET, unless they are ended or repealed earlier.
The measures affect certain foreign nationals who listed the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan or Uganda as their last country of residence in their Canadian immigration application.
No. If the immigration document has been suspended under the temporary measures, it cannot be used to board a flight or travel to Canada while the suspension is active.
Yes. IRCC will continue processing new and existing applications, but affected applications will not be finalized while the temporary measures remain in place.
Yes. IRCC allows affected people to request an exemption and provide evidence explaining why they should be exempt and why they do not pose a public health risk. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
