Canada extends Ebola-linked travel and immigration restrictions for 60 days, to Nov. 27

The Story

Canada has extended travel and immigration restrictions related to the Ebola outbreak in Africa for an additional 60 days, setting the end date for the current measures at Nov. 27. The extension continues restrictions that had been scheduled to expire at midnight.

The updated rules apply to people who are from or have visited Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Immigration documents, including visas and travel authorizations, are suspended for individuals from all three countries under the restrictions.

The measures also include specific flight and entry limits. Foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 21 days are not able to board a flight to Canada. For foreign nationals coming from South Sudan and Uganda, the rule is a 21-day quarantine period.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to Canada after being in one of the affected countries are also required to quarantine for 21 days. The quarantine requirement applies to people who have been in Uganda, South Sudan or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Officials linked the restrictions to the ongoing Ebola outbreak, which has been active in the Democratic Republic of Congo since May 15. The information provided states that more than 8,000 people have become ill so far in the outbreak.

The restrictions were first introduced in May and were set to expire at midnight before the extension. With the extension now in place, the measures continue to target both entry permissions and post-arrival quarantine timing for people with recent travel history to the affected countries.

The practical effect for travellers is that Canadian entry planning needs to account for documentary suspensions for nationals from Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as quarantine obligations for those who are eligible to travel. For visitors, the requirement tied to recent presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo also functions as a travel eligibility barrier for boarding.

For Canadians and permanent residents who have recently been in any of the three affected countries, the 21-day quarantine requirement remains a key constraint for returning travel timelines, especially for family visits and work arrangements. The extension therefore increases the period during which individuals may face prolonged restrictions after their return to Canada while the federal measures remain active.