Canada has announced a 90-day suspension of immigration documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan as part of efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola into the country.
The decision, reaffirmed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Tuesday, also includes a temporary halt to the processing of immigration applications from the affected nations.
According to the agency, the measure is aimed at containing risks associated with the ongoing Ebola outbreak and safeguarding public health in Canada.
The restrictions build on border control measures introduced through a government directive issued on May 26. Canadian authorities said the action became necessary following the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and growing concerns over the disease’s spread in Uganda and South Sudan.
Under the policy, temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorisations and permanent resident visas issued to residents of the affected countries have been suspended. Officials noted that individuals holding previously approved travel documents will also be unable to travel to Canada during the restriction period.
In addition to the visa suspension, Canada has introduced stricter health protocols under its Quarantine Act. Travellers who have visited any of the three countries within 21 days before arriving in Canada will be required to undergo a 21-day quarantine, even if they show no symptoms of the disease.
Authorities stated that travellers without suitable quarantine arrangements will be accommodated in designated facilities, while anyone displaying symptoms will be transferred to a hospital for further medical evaluation.
The government clarified that the new measures do not affect people already residing in Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are still permitted to return home but will be subjected to health screening procedures at border entry points.
Officials stressed that the risk of Ebola reaching Canada remains low. However, they said the precautionary measures were necessary given the seriousness of the outbreak and increased international travel associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Canada also noted that no case of Ebola has ever been imported into the country and that there are currently no reported infections anywhere in North America.
The move follows similar restrictions introduced by the United States, which has strengthened screening procedures and imposed temporary entry limitations on travellers arriving from Ebola-affected regions.