Canada’s Ebola Immigration Measures Set to End August 28
Canada’s temporary Ebola-related immigration measures affecting certain foreign nationals connected to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda are scheduled to end at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 28, 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada introduced the measures on May 27, 2026, to reduce the risk of Ebola entering Canada.
The measures temporarily suspended certain immigration documents and prevented IRCC from finalizing some applications. According to the current government instructions, valid documents should automatically become active again after the measures end.
Travellers and applicants should confirm the latest instructions on IRCC’s official Ebola temporary measures page before making travel arrangements or submitting a passport.
Temporary measures at a glance
| Measure | Current IRCC information |
|---|---|
| Measures introduced | May 27, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET |
| Countries identified | Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda |
| Scheduled end | August 28, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET |
| Applications | Processing continued, but affected applications were not finalized |
| Suspended documents | Expected to reactivate automatically when the measures end, if still valid |
Who was affected by the measures?
The measures were primarily based on the last country of residence declared in an applicant’s immigration application, rather than citizenship alone.
They applied to certain foreign nationals who listed one of the following countries as their last country of residence:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- South Sudan
- Uganda
A citizen of one of these countries who lived somewhere else when applying was not necessarily affected. IRCC advised applicants to rely on the notice sent directly to them to confirm whether a document had been suspended.
Which immigration documents were suspended?
IRCC identified the following types of immigration documents as potentially subject to temporary suspension:
- Temporary resident visas
- Electronic travel authorizations
- Temporary resident permit counterfoils
- Permanent resident visas
A suspended document was temporarily invalid for travel. An affected person could not use it to board a flight or travel to Canada while the suspension remained in place.
What happens when the measures end?
IRCC states that immigration documents that remain valid should be automatically reactivated when the measures end. Affected document holders should not need to submit a separate request solely to reactivate their document.
However, automatic reactivation does not extend the document’s original expiry date.
If a visa or other immigration document expires before or shortly after the measures end, the traveller may need to apply for a new document before travelling to Canada.
Travellers should confirm that:
- The document has not expired
- The temporary suspension has ended
- No new public-health or border restrictions apply
- The passport or travel document remains valid
- The airline’s boarding requirements are satisfied
What happens to pending applications?
IRCC continued processing new and existing applications affected by the measures, but did not finalize them while the restrictions remained in effect.
Once the measures end, IRCC is expected to resume making final decisions on affected applications. This does not mean every application will receive an immediate decision or approval.
Applicants must still meet all applicable eligibility, admissibility, security, medical and documentary requirements.
Should applicants now submit their passports?
During the temporary measures, affected applicants who received a passport request letter were instructed not to send their passports to a visa application centre.
Before submitting a passport after August 28, applicants should check:
- The latest IRCC instructions
- The validity of the passport request letter
- The instructions issued by the responsible visa office
- Whether the visa application centre is accepting the submission
Applicants should not assume that the scheduled end date automatically changes the deadline or instructions contained in an individual passport request letter.
Special rule affecting recent travel to the DRC
IRCC states that, beginning July 20, 2026, certain foreign nationals who had visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the previous 21 days could not travel to Canada.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents retained the right to return to Canada, but could be required to undergo medical screening and follow public-health measures.
Because travel and public-health instructions can change independently, anyone who recently visited an affected area should check current federal travel and border guidance before departure.
What affected applicants should do
- Check the official IRCC page after the scheduled end time.
- Review any suspension notice previously received from IRCC.
- Confirm that the visa, permit counterfoil or eTA remains valid.
- Check the passport’s validity.
- Review the latest public-health and airline requirements.
- Follow any new instructions issued through the IRCC account.
- Use the IRCC crisis web form if clarification is required.
- Avoid booking non-refundable travel until eligibility to travel is confirmed.
Important distinction
The scheduled end of the temporary measures does not guarantee entry into Canada.
Foreign nationals must continue to meet all regular immigration and border requirements. A border services officer makes the final decision on admission when a traveller arrives at a Canadian port of entry.
Key takeaway
Canada’s Ebola-related temporary immigration measures for certain foreign nationals associated with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda are scheduled to end on August 28, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Valid suspended documents are expected to reactivate automatically, and IRCC may resume finalizing affected applications. Travellers should verify the official instructions, document validity and current public-health requirements before making travel plans.
Applicants who need help reviewing their immigration documents may book a consultation with Always Canada Group.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Public-health measures, immigration instructions and travel restrictions can change. Always verify the latest information directly with IRCC before travelling or submitting documents.
