Non-Essential Travel: What It Means and How It Applies to Canada and Mexico

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries all around the world are temporarily halting all non-essential travel across their borders. But what is considered non-essential travel, and how will these new restrictions impact us here in the U.S.?

What Is Non-Essential Travel?

At a high level, non-essential travel refers to travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. Unfortunately, this distinction is not always straightforward as official definitions vary around the globe.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (or DHS) released a list of some reasons for which travel is considered non-essential across the land borders between the U.S. and Mexico/Canada:

What Is Essential Travel?

To start, these new restrictions will not prevent U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents from returning to the U.S. (and vice versa). These restrictions are put in place to limit unnecessary contact between individuals.

The DHS has released a list of allowable reasons for travel:

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the U.S.
• Cross-border trade, including trucking to provide food, fuel, and life-saving medicines
• To perform essential work, including work in the military, in the farming or agriculture industry, temporary foreign workers, and anyone with valid work responsibilities
• To attend school
• For other urgent or essential reasons, including receiving medical treatment

Click here to see the full list.

What Restrictions Are In Place?

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas stated that on November 8, 2021, the U.S. “will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings.”

This is great news for vaccinated travelers, however, this means that unvaccinated visitors will still be barred from entering the U.S. from Canada or Mexico at land borders.

Hot Tip: Note that air and sea travel is not affected by these restrictions. This only applies to land crossings.

Land Border Restrictions

To slow the spread of the coronavirus, restrictions are being put in place for countries that share a land border with the U.S.

Bottom Line: Note that these restrictions don’t apply to flights between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico, but air travelers are subject to additional restrictions, such as a mandatory hotel quarantine in Canada (this has changed for fully vaccinated Americans as of August 9, 2021), and negative COVID-19 tests for international travel.

What Screenings Are Taking Place?

First, the Department of Homeland Security notes that they “continue to enforce U.S. immigration laws at all U.S. borders, including between ports of entry.”

The U.S., Canadian, and Mexican border agencies have reported increasing their questions about reasons for travel, any international travel history, and current health to curb the spread of the coronavirus. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (or CBP) employees are also using protective equipment, such as masks, in appropriate circumstances.

Bottom Line: If you do not have a proper reason, evidence of completed vaccination, or travel documentation, you will be turned away at the border.

If you are found to be attempting to bypass immigration and are apprehended at the border, you will either be quickly removed or repatriated to your country of origin. This is a change since individuals will no longer be kept in detention facilities. DHS notes that the processing of these individuals in “these conditions present a serious infection control challenge and are a risk to public health.”

Canada

As of February 22, 2021, Canada has started requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test for land crossings, a second test upon arrival, and a 14-day quarantine. Toward the end of the 14 days, travelers will have to take a third and final test. If you are fully vaccinated, you can avoid these testing requirements and quarantine requirements.

When Will Travel Restrictions Go Into Effect?

Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.

When Will the U.S.-Canada Border Reopen?

While vaccinated Americans are allowed to travel to Canada starting on August 9, 2021, the restrictions for unvaccinated Canadian travelers to the U.S. will continue to be in place. As of November 8, 2021,  vaccinated travelers are allowed unrestricted access to the U.S. at land border crossings.

Exceptions

With the extended border closures, Canada has announced that it will be strengthening the public health presence at the border and enhancing quarantine monitoring and contact tracing. Ultimately, it notes that these enhanced processes will provide for the entry of:

• Certain extended family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents, including those in an exclusive dating relationship of at least 1 year
• Foreign nationals with a life-threatening illness, critical injury, or death
• International students (starting on October 20, 2020)
• Vaccinated Americans (starting on August 8, 2021)

Each potential traveler will need to apply for and be issued an authorization before they can travel to Canada and must still abide by quarantine recommendations. Access Canada’s Coronavirus page for all the details on how to apply.

Mexico

On March 20, 2020, the U.S. and Mexico issued a joint statement to restrict non-essential travel between the countries. The note that this agreement includes “particular measures both to protect bilateral trade and our countries’ economies and ensure the health of our nations’ citizens.”

When Will Travel Restrictions Go Into Effect?

Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.

When Will the U.S.-Mexico Border Reopen?

Borders to Mexico were closed to non-essential travel through November 8, 2021. Vaccinated travelers are now allowed unrestricted access to the U.S. at land border crossings.

Final Thoughts

These restrictions were put in place to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 by limiting unnecessary travel. As you can see, if you have a valid reason for crossing between countries or you are fully vaccinated, you will still be allowed to do so. These new restrictions between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will be in place until further notice.