Important Updates
Important Updates
July 29, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Revised Brussels Shortage Occupation List Issued
July 30, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
July 30, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: Reminder of Increase in Minimum Qualifying Salary for Initial S Pass Applications
July 30, 2025 | VietnamVietnam: eID Requirement Forthcoming for All Administrative Procedures
July 29, 2025 | ArgentinaArgentina: Visa-Free Entry for Chinese and Dominican Nationals with U.S. Visas
July 29, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Revised Brussels Shortage Occupation List Issued
July 30, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
July 30, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: Reminder of Increase in Minimum Qualifying Salary for Initial S Pass Applications
July 30, 2025 | VietnamVietnam: eID Requirement Forthcoming for All Administrative Procedures
July 29, 2025 | ArgentinaArgentina: Visa-Free Entry for Chinese and Dominican Nationals with U.S. Visas
July 29, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Revised Brussels Shortage Occupation List Issued
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico Land Border Restrictions Extended Through May 21

April 21, 2021

insight-news-default

Countries / Territories

  • CanadaCanada
  • MexicoMexico
  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • CBP border restrictions permitting only essential travel across the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land borders will be extended through May 21, 2021. The restrictions do not affect air travel.
  • Essential travel includes travel by U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and foreign nationals traveling to work in the United States, among others.  
  • Visa Waiver and other business travelers may face additional scrutiny at the border. 
  • “Non-essential travel” at land borders is not permitted, which includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.

The issue

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will continue to implement the ban on “non-essential” travel across U.S. land borders and ferry travel with Canada and Mexico through May 21, 2021, according to a set of notifications to be published tomorrow in the Federal Register. The restrictions were due to expire today, April 21.

The initial ban on non-essential travel across the northern and southern borders began on March 21, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; it was originally scheduled to expire in April 2020 but has been extended continuously in one-month increments. The policy will likely again be reviewed for possible extension in May based on the status of the COVID emergency. The restrictions do not affect air travel.

A closer look

CBP defines “non-essential” travel as travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature, which includes sightseeing, gambling and attending cultural events.

“Essential” travel that may continue across the borders under the new restrictions includes, but is not limited to:

  • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States
  • Travel for lawful cross-border trade (e.g. truck drivers carrying cargo)
  • Travel to work in the United States
  • Travel for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States)
  • Travel to attend educational institutions
  • Travel for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to assist government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies)
  • Travel by members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their spouses and children, returning to the United States
  • Other forms of travel as determined by the CBP on a case by case basis

Trade and business travel may be subject to additional screening. In practice, there has been some inconsistent treatment of business travelers since the border restrictions began.

What this means for employers and foreign nationals

Under existing guidance, U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident and foreign national business travel should continue across the Canadian and Mexican land borders for the duration of the border restrictions. However, because CBP officers have wide discretion to inspect entrants, foreign nationals should expect detailed questioning about their employment or business activities in the United States. 

Fragomen is closely monitoring the Canada and Mexico border restrictions and will issue follow-up alerts as developments occur. For the latest information related to the coronavirus’ impact on immigration-related matters worldwide, please visit Fragomen’s dedicated COVID-19 website. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Countries / Territories

  • CanadaCanada
  • MexicoMexico
  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Grand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas

Director Isobel Neilson discusses how changes to golden visa programmes are affecting UK buyers pursuing overseas property investment.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechInformed: Global Talent, Local Growth: Immigration’s Role in the Tech Economy

Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Associates Aisha Shahid and Yinny Tan outline how UK immigration changes affect tech talent access and business alignment.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Hoping to Visit the U.S.? It Might Cost You an Extra $250.

Partner Parisa Karaahmet is quoted on a new country-specific, $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced by the current US administration as part of a domestic policy bill.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Grand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas

Director Isobel Neilson discusses how changes to golden visa programmes are affecting UK buyers pursuing overseas property investment.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechInformed: Global Talent, Local Growth: Immigration’s Role in the Tech Economy

Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Associates Aisha Shahid and Yinny Tan outline how UK immigration changes affect tech talent access and business alignment.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Hoping to Visit the U.S.? It Might Cost You an Extra $250.

Partner Parisa Karaahmet is quoted on a new country-specific, $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced by the current US administration as part of a domestic policy bill.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.