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News
Canada / USA border: Yes we can get your Directors, DP's, and Client/Agency in ! They will however, currently need to have a negative Covid test before they board the plane, and must quarantine /self isolate for 14 days upon arrival. You also must now download and submit the ArriveCan app before you board the plane or you risk a fine/penalty. Currently the Canada - USA border is allowing USA workers that are essential to the production to cross under r186(a) which is the regualtion we always use to enable access to Canada for our Directors/DP's for TV Commercial Advertising projects of a short term duration without a work permit.
Countries other than the USA: Anyone wishing to travel to BC, from any country other than the USA (ie: UK / European Citizens) to work, it is still a little more difficult. If coming from Europe, the worker (eg: Director) will need to apply for a special Work Permit, and an immigration lawyer will need to be hired to do this. The application/approval process takes from as little as 7 business days to up to 3 weeks before you can travel. Bio-metrics will need to be done, and please note that if not currently in a major city, the worker must fly to a major city to get bio-metrics paperwork done at an available / open VFS Global office / VAC Visa application center to be submitted with the application. Once approved, the worker can travel to Canada, but they will still need to have a negative Covid test before boarding the flight AND must quarantine / self isolate for 14 days upon arrival. We will update on this situation and the timing to obtain it as soon as possible !
PLEASE NOTE: Currently anyone arriving from outside of Canada (whether USA or other country, and even if you are a Canadian citizen) must have a negative Covid test reult before baording their flight, and QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS - no exceptions. They must also have a detailed isolation / quarantine plan to show the border officers (we help with this!).
THE NEXT FEDERAL GOVERMENT UPDATE IS EXPECTED ON 26 JANUARY 2021, however we do expect these restrictions to be in place for the foreseeable future.
Canada Border Services page: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html