This update is part of the IRCC processing times hub, with the Permanent residence guide. Canada has extended its Ebola related immigration and travel bans, affecting foreign nationals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. These measures also prohibit entry for foreign nationals with recent travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The restrictions are now set to remain in effect until November 27, 2026.

The federal government announced this extension in a notice published on September 28. Immigration documents will continue to be suspended for residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. This suspension means anyone who listed these countries as their last country of residence on an application is barred from travelling to Canada, even with a previously approved visa, permit, or electronic travel authorization.

Foreign nationals who have travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the last 21 days are also barred from entering or transiting through Canada, with very limited exceptions. An interim order under the Aeronautics Act bars airlines from allowing these travelers to board flights to Canada.

Canadian citizens and landed permanent residents who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days may still enter Canada. However, they must undergo a health assessment on arrival. Those without symptoms are required to quarantine for 21 days, while those showing symptoms must isolate in a medical facility.

Foreign nationals entering Canada with past 21 day travel to Uganda or South Sudan must also submit to a health assessment and a 21 day quarantine on arrival.

The current extension to November 27, 2026, was established by a 30 day extension of measures initially set to expire on August 29. The first set of measures, put in place on May 27, suspended immigration documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan for 90 days.

From May 30, anyone who had been in those countries within the previous 21 days, including Canadian citizens and permanent residents, was required to undergo a health assessment and quarantine on arrival. These initial measures were set to run until August 29.

The document suspension marked the first use of the federal government's expanded executive powers to manage entire classes of applications, documents, and temporary residents, following the coming into force of Bill C-12 in March 2026. On June 12, the government revealed the suspensions included 36,000 applications for permanent residence.

IRCC stated that new and existing applications affected by the measures will continue to be processed, but not finalized, while the measures are in effect.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo government's National Institute of Public Health reported 8,067 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,901 deaths as of September 26. Uganda had reported 20 confirmed Ebola cases, including two deaths, before its outbreak was declared over on August 27. No Ebola cases have been reported in South Sudan.