Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) have jointly renewed the emergency border controls first imposed in May to curb the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The new Order-in-Council, issued late on 28 September 2026, bars most foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days from boarding flights to, or transiting through, Canada. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members are exempt but must present proof of full Ebola vaccination or undergo enhanced screening and a 21-day self-monitoring protocol on arrival. The government argues that the extension is a precautionary measure as the World Health Organization continues to classify the Central African outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Officials insist the risk to Canadians remains low, citing the virus’s reliance on direct contact for transmission, yet PHAC notes that the coming peak travel season ahead of the December holiday period warrants vigilance. Airlines operating long-haul services from Africa via European hubs have been advised to update their advance passenger information (API) filters to prevent inadmissible travellers from being issued boarding passes. Business travellers should anticipate additional questions at primary inspection kiosks and the possibility of secondary screening if their passport shows recent entry stamps from the affected region. Employers relocating staff to Canada from multinational operations in Africa are urged to review itineraries and, where possible, schedule travel after the 21-day look-back window or route employees through third-country quarantine facilities. Travellers who require urgent entry for essential work may apply for a National Interest Exemption, but approvals are rare and can take several days. The extension pushes the expiry date of the measures to 27 November 2026, aligning Canada with similar restrictions maintained by the United States and Mexico in the run-up to the jointly hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup. Stakeholder groups such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Council for Global Immigration have called on Ottawa to introduce a fast-track waiver for vaccinated business visitors, warning that prolonged uncertainty could discourage investment missions and disrupt project timelines. In practical terms, mobility managers should: (1) screen all inbound travellers for recent presence in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan; (2) budget extra time for immigration clearance at airports; (3) ensure contingency insurance covers quarantine costs; and (4) communicate clearly with employees about the documentation they will need to show CBSA officers. With the policy now on a 60-day review cycle, companies should monitor IRCC notices closely—renewal is possible again in late November if the outbreak is not contained.
