*UPDATE: On May 1, IRCC modified the instructions and removed all of the examples of non-discretionary or non-optional travel within the context of family reunification. Optional: subject to one's freedom of choice. Applications submitted prior to the travel restrictions will be placed on hold and not processed until the applicant contacts IRCC at IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca to indicate how they meet the exemption and provide acceptable documentation. Occasional travel. Most importantly, IRCC's updated instructions regarding the travel restrictions can be found, IRCC's interpretation of non-optional and non-discretionary travel can be found. Applicants who are outside of Canada must apply online. Applicants can continue to submit study permit applications. Only applicants who meet one of the exemption criteria and are travelling for non-discretionary purposes will be processed; this includes new applications and those with currently pending applications. Travel for the following purposes would be considered non-optional or non-discretionary: health (immediate medical care), safety and security, transiting through Canada for non-optional or non-discretionary purposes, studying in Canada if already approved for a study permit on or before March 18, tending to family matters for non-optional or non-discretionary purposes (such as bringing supplies to elderly parents or tending to sick family members) when there is no one else available in Canada to assist, any other activities that are deemed non-optional or non-discretionary by the Government of Canada or based on an officer’s assessment. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. (For the parent of a child, this may be considered non-discretionary travel; however, it will still require assessment.). Learn more. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons are permitted to board an aircraft and enter Canada, subject to health screening measures. Find more ways to say optional, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. a shower that is required after finding out the crap you just took has stuck to your ass like peanut butter and it's such a mess a shower is required, regardless of circumstances Agents will be available to take calls Monday through Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern Standard Time. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). Processing of invitational travel is with mutual consent, meaning the organization must invite the person to travel, and the traveler must accept the invitation. 3 synonyms of optional from the Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, plus 7 related words, definitions, and antonyms. Important excerpts from these instructions have been reproduced below. to spend time at a secondary residence (vacation home, hunting or fishing lodge, etc.). Travel for optional or discretionary purposes is broadly defined in the Orders as including (but not limited to) travel for the purposes of tourism, recreation and entertainment. What has made things more difficult is that in addition to this terminology found in the Orders in Council, CBSA officers have also been demanding that travellers demonstrate that their travel is essential. Foreign nationals departing to Canada from any other country than the United States must show that they meet one of the travel exemptions, and they are travelling to Canada for non-optional or non-discretionary reasons. ... the optional touring package... and option to pause at stop signs. Unfortunately, there is no simple definition of what is essential or nonessential travel. health (immediate medical care), safety and security. Travel — all travel — is essential. Contact us for more information about an application process, initial consultation or for assistance in preparing an application. All travellers will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days. Program Delivery Instructions, some questions do remain. If something is optional, you can choose if you want to do it, pay it, buy it, etc. Temporary Residence ProcessingOther Updates, Non-optional or Non-discretionary Travel Explained. Find another word for optional. I'm writing the documentation of a software package which has an optional property. If the requirements of restoration are met, the new status document will be mailed to you. : 2. Dependent children and any dependent children of their dependent children, Parent’s or step-parent’s spouse or common-law partner, A guardian or tutor (responsible for caring for a foreign national minor who is living apart from a parent for an extended period of time, for example, to attend secondary school in Canada), Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (those exempt under this category do not require written authorization to travel to Canada), Family reunification (must obtain written authorization to travel to Canada), Crew members and foreign nationals entering Canada to become crew members, Members of the Canadian Forces or a visiting force as defined in section 2 of the Visiting Forces Act and the immediate family members of those members, Canadian citizens travelling on a foreign passport. optional meaning: 1. Applicants can continue to submit study permit extension applications from within Canada. Optional definition, left to one's choice; not required or mandatory: Formal dress is optional. One order relates to travel from the United States and the other one to travel from any country other than the United States. As such, the clarification made by IRCC on Wednesday and the examples offered in their guidelines regarding what these terms might mean are quite welcome. opensubtitles2. [1] Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions/non-optional-non-discretionary.html, Follow more of LPEN's coverage on COVID-19 and its impact on Canadian immigration practice. If your application requires manual intervention by an officer, it will only be processed if the applicant meets the exemption criteria and is travelling for non-discretionary purposes. This definition has also been a source of significant grief to many foreign nationals who have been prevented from entering the country due to varied interpretations of these terms by port of entry officers from the Canada Border Services Agency, Having read the latest installment of the. to spend time at a secondary residence (vacation home, hunting or fishing lodge, etc.). ), shared custody agreement across borders, as this would be complying with a court order. This includes entry for upkeep or maintenance purposes. "Non-essential travel" includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature, according to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Canada. Some examples of travel for non-optional or non-discretionary travel are: economic services and supply chains. ly adv. The U.S. government advises against non-essential travel to Mexico while, meanwhile, Europe warns against non-essential travel to the U.S., and so on. 25% or less. Check out our FAQ page https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions/non-optional-non-discretionary.html. Air travel and border measures have been implemented since March 2020 to protect the health and safety of Canadians. See more. This definition has also been a source of significant grief to many foreign nationals who have been prevented from entering the country due to varied interpretations of these terms by port of entry officers from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). However, any COVID-19-symptomatic travellers will not be permitted to enter Canada. Officers should be aware that family ties will not automatically qualify the foreign national for non-optional or non-discretionary travel. to attend the funeral of a family member (This purpose of travel would be improbable due to quarantine measures and limits to the number of attendees at funerals under provincial restrictions.). They will be asked to provide evidence of a quarantine plan, such as: How they will get groceries and medications without going to the store, Whether there will be vulnerable people where they’re staying. This allows for families to be together during this difficult time. If the foreign national is travelling … to attend the funeral of a family member (This purpose of travel would be improbable due to quarantine measures and limits to the number of attendees at funerals under provincial restrictions.). How to use optional in a sentence. No, it means, you can choose some of the optional holidays out of all. supporting Indigenous communities. optional definition: 1. The job may require up to 75% travel. New guidance is available to ensure that non-optional and non-discretionary travel are being interpreted as intended under the COVID-19 Orders in Council. Officers should be aware that family ties will not automatically qualify the foreign national for non-optional or non-discretionary travel. Though foreign national family members of Canadians are exempt from the travel ban, they must still demonstrate that they are coming to Canada for a “non-optional” or “non-discretionary” reason, which does not include a family funeral, for example. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Many of the examples provided could still be open to competing interpretations. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties. Nonoptimal definition is - not most desirable or satisfactory : not optimal. IRCC client support centre has resumed calls. 50% or less. Examples of non-discretionary or non-optional travel for the purposes of family reunification are: to take up full-time residence in Canada (this applies to prospective permanent residents as well as temporary residents who are seeking entry to Canada to live with immediate family members), to care for an ill family member or a family member who is unable to care for themselves when no other arrangements can be made (the 14-day quarantine for travellers will be factored into whether the travel is discretionary), for foreign national immediate family member(s) to spend the pandemic period with their Canadian citizen family member so they can help to ensure each other’s health, safety and well-being (This section is specifically to allow for the reunification of family members where it would be beneficial to all parties. On April 29, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated its online Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Program Delivery Instructions. All foreign nationals outside of Canada with a study permit approved after March 18, 2020, will be sent instructions on when they can travel to Canada. Learn more. The update includes an important clarification regarding a term that is at the heart of the travel restrictions imposed by the Canadian government to try and control the spread of COVID-19. The job may require up to 50% travel. : 2. Ultimately, this a decision for the individual themselves based … I could no longer live without travel than I could without, say, a really good cup of coffee. *UPDATE: On May 1, IRCC modified the instructions and removed all of the examples of. Use the following JTR paragraphs to determine if a prospective traveler is eligible for invitational travel: • Non-DoD travelers must meet the requirements in Family members will be required to show that they are not travelling for a discretionary or optional purpose such as a routine family visit. Most importantly, we hope that CBSA officers will refer to these guidelines rather than continuing to apply the essential travel test. If something is optional, you can choose if you want to do it, pay it, buy it, etc. Immediate family members (as defined in the Orders in Council) of a Canadian citizen, a person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act or a permanent resident of Canada will be deemed to be travelling for a non-discretionary or non–optional purpose if the travel is for 15 days or more and they are travelling with or to be with their Canadian citizen, person registered as an Indian or permanent resident family member. Optional definition: If something is optional , you can choose whether or not you do it or have it. There have been multiple discussions between IRCC and various stakeholders, including members of the Canadian Bar Association, on this issue. With Optional All-Inclusive Resorts, you can choose to participate in the all-inclusive option. In that context, which is more correct or more frequently used: non-optional or non optional? The government defines “optional” or “discretionary” travel as coming to Canada for the purposes of tourism, recreation, and entertainment among others. Family ties will not automatically qualify for the foreign national for non-optional or non-discretionary travel. optional tour. IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca. Optional definition is - involving an option : not compulsory. A good trip, even a bad one, salves my soul, fires my imagination. Two Orders in Council set the framework for the prohibitions to enter Canada in order to minimize the risk of expoure to COVID-19. Applicants outside Canada can continue to submit work permit applications but must apply online. IRCC's interpretation of non-optional and non-discretionary travel can be found here. Foreign nationals who received a positive decision from IRCC on a work permit but have not yet been issued the document. The travel advisories urge against non-essential out-of-state travel, ask people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country and encourage residents to stay local. This includes those who are normally permitted to apply at the port of entry. Travel for option or discretionary purposes is broadly defined, some examples of discretionary or optional travel are: for the birth of a grandchild, nephew, niece, cousin, etc. Some examples of non-discretionary or non-optional travel for the purposes of family reunification are (not an exhaustive list)*, to take up full-time residence in Canada (this applies to prospective permanent residents as well as temporary residents who are seeking entry to Canada to live with immediate family members), to care for an ill family member or a family member who is unable to care for themselves when no other arrangements can be made (the 14-day quarantine for travellers will be factored into whether the travel is discretionary), for foreign national immediate family member(s) (as per the definition in the Order in Council), to spend the pandemic period with their Canadian citizen family member so they can help to ensure each other’s health, safety and well-being (This section is specifically to allow for the reunification of family members where it would be beneficial to all parties, as the reunification of family members is a key point of the Order in Council. Foreign nationals seeking to travel to Canada from any country other than the United States while the travel restrictions are in place need to satisfy government officials that, they are covered by an exemption in the Orders, and, they are travelling for a non-optional and non-discretionary purpose, Foreign nationals seeking to travel to Canada from the United States while the travel restrictions are in place need to satisfy government officials that, Examples of travel for a non-optional or non-discretionary purpose. What "non-optional" and "non-discretionary" travel actually means has been the subject of much debate among immigration practitioners. See more. any other activities that are deemed non-optional or non-discretionary by the Government of Canada or based on an officer’s assessment; Family reunification. View all Optional All-Inclusive Resorts at TripBeat, and get ready for the vacation of a lifetime. ), shared custody agreement across borders, as this would be complying with a court order. This includes government directives and the latest news www.lpen.ca/covid19, #COVID19, #travelban, #IRCC, #familyreunification. Paper applications are not being accepted. any other activities that are deemed “non-optional” or “non-discretionary” by the Canadian government. This is despite the fact that the requirement that travel be "essential" is not found in the government Orders. Some examples of discretionary or optional travel are, for the birth of a grandchild, nephew, niece, cousin, etc. LEGAL PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION NETWORK INC. 8 Longfield Road, Toronto, ON, Canada - M9B 3E7, © 2019 by Legal Professionals Education Network, Further clues as to what "non-optional and non-discretionary travel" means, On April 29, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated its online, Two Orders in Council set the framework for the prohibitions to enter Canada in order to minimize the risk of expoure to COVID-19. Say, a company wants to give total 10 days of holiday so they will break it into two parts: mandatory (say 8 days) and optional (2 days), now these 2 optional holidays you can avail on any of the company declared optional holidays . Temporary Residents in Canada unable to depart. Yet no one, including the State Department, bothers to clearly define non-essential travel or, for that matter, its presumed opposite: essential travel. 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