Canada/US border is about to close. Are we considered essential travel?

[bpg123 12]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/17/politics/us-canada-suspend-travel/index.html

 

CNN is reporting that the USA/CANADA border is about to be closed to non essential travel but there will be some flexibility. Do you think they will block K1 applicants or will they let us in?

[JacobP 186]

They didn't make K-1s an exception for the European restriction, just spouses (so already married). So who really knows?

[igoyougoduke 1,662]

12 minutes ago, bpg123 said:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/17/politics/us-canada-suspend-travel/index.html

 

CNN is reporting that the USA/CANADA border is about to be closed to non essential travel but there will be some flexibility. Do you think they will block K1 applicants or will they let us in?

Canada has already closed its borders for third country nationals and K1 does not qualify for any waiver 

[bpg123 12]

4 minutes ago, Donald120383 said:

Canada has already closed its borders for third country nationals and K1 does not qualify for any waiver 

Correct however Canada closed its borders to everyone other than citizens and diplomats for the rest of the world. The US/Canada closure is different in that it is will remain open for business trips and essential travel. The Canada/worldwide border is not open for essential travel, only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family of citizens. 

[Ontarkie 14,280]

~~Moved to the Coronavirus Covid-19 Forum, from the Canada Forum as this discussion is better suited here.~~

[igoyougoduke 1,662]

[cherrypeanut 8]

Any word on exactly when the border will close? I have a flight on March 28th and I am afraid the border will be closed before then.

[bpg123 12]

Just now, cherrypeanut said:

Any word on exactly when the border will close? I have a flight on March 28th and I am afraid the border will be closed before then.

The situation is fluid but they are closing the border today to non-essential travel. This only affects people who traveling over the border for travel and recreation. They will still continue to permit people going to work, trading or visiting family. This could change but as of now you should not be affected. I am in a similar situation as yourself.

[cherrypeanut 8]

1 minute ago, bpg123 said:

The situation is fluid but they are closing the border today to non-essential travel. This only affects people who traveling over the border for travel and recreation. They will still continue to permit people going to work, trading or visiting family. This could change but as of now you should not be affected. I am in a similar situation as yourself.

Does this mean that I can still enter the US on a K1 visa, despite them barring all other travellers? I wonder if I should move up my flight. Getting extremely anxious because things are changing so fast.

[bpg123 12]

4 minutes ago, cherrypeanut said:

Does this mean that I can still enter the US on a K1 visa, despite them barring all other travellers? I wonder if I should move up my flight. Getting extremely anxious because things are changing so fast.

It will be up to the border guards discretion but as it stand now, I do believe that they will allow with the k1 visa but as I said, the situation now could be different in a week. If I were you, I would move up your flight. 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

1 hour ago, bpg123 said:

The situation is fluid but they are closing the border today to non-essential travel. This only affects people who traveling over the border for travel and recreation. They will still continue to permit people going to work, trading or visiting family. This could change but as of now you should not be affected. I am in a similar situation as yourself.

I’m not sure visiting family is considered “essential” travel.. I’d look more into it if someone plans on going to Canada to see family. Would hate to spend time and money just to be turned around..

[Ptitchou 117]

1 hour ago, bpg123 said:

They will still continue to permit people going to work, trading or visiting family. 

Do you have a source for the allowance of visiting family? I haven't been able to find anything about today's update in regards to this exemption.

[bpg123 12]

5 minutes ago, Ptitchou said:

Do you have a source for the allowance of visiting family? I haven't been able to find anything about today's update in regards to this exemption.

Nope. And you won’t find one. I looked at a ton of sites and the ban is very clear for “Tourism and recreation” and moving to the USA on a K1 is clearly neither of those. 
 

CNN had on a posting late last night that they made it vague to allow flexibility to border officials. Do it at your own risk but if you are expecting a clear lines they won’t happen. They are trying to deter as many people as possible so clear lines make that too easy. Do what you will but I would feel very confident crossing the border with a K1 which I intend to do next week.

[Giovanna024 442]

3 hours ago, cherrypeanut said:

Any word on exactly when the border will close? I have a flight on March 28th and I am afraid the border will be closed before then.

I would cancel the flight, my husband had flight to USA this Friday March 20th and he canceled. 

[Kartineecartoons 53]

2 hours ago, Giovanna024 said:

I would cancel the flight, my husband had flight to USA this Friday March 20th and he canceled. 

From where?