PEI : Pre-Travel Approval Process

10/16/2020

As part of Renew PEI Together and in accordance with the state of public health emergency, certain non-essential travel into PEI is permitted with pre-travel approval. Travellers are encouraged to review the content of this page before making any travel arrangements.

Find more information about travel approvals for seasonal residents, family connections and returning students.

Pre-Travel Approval Process

Applications for travel approval must include required documentation for the appropriate travel category. At a minimum 72 hours in advance of commencing travel, submit your request to publicsafety@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail) with the following information for consideration:

  • Name (s) of travellers
  • Phone number
  • Start date of travel
  • Date and time of arrival at border control point (if driving estimate)
  • Vehicle make and type
  • Vehicle license plate and Province (if applicable)
  • Flight number (if applicable)
  • Ferry point of entry (Souris or Wood Islands, if applicable)
  • Purpose of travel (with details)
  • A self-isolation plan (if applicable)
  • A property opening plan (if applicable)

Due to extremely high volume of submissions, applicants may experience a delay. If permission is granted, traveller(s) will be provided with an electronic document indicating approval and conditions. An application does not guarantee or imply approval.

Pre-travel approval letters

Pre-travel approval letters may be required for travel into Prince Edward Island. Certain travellers are required to submit a request for a pre-travel approval letter. This letter is required at the border crossing or entry points:

  • Residents of provinces and territories outside of Atlantic Canada who must enter PEI to work in essential services (require letter from employer indicating area of essential services);
  • Persons entering the province for emergency medical purposes, including patients and persons necessary to travel with patients, and person accompanying animals for emergency services at the Atlantic Veterinary College (letter from doctor/vet or proof of appointment);
  • New and returning students and parents;
  • Person exercising or facilitating custody and/or access with children; or
  • Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada permanently relocating.

If you arrive at a border crossing without the required documentation, you may be stopped before reaching your final destination. Be prepared to wait for a response up to 72 hours.

Consideration of exceptional or compassionate circumstances

Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The following are examples of what may be considered exceptional or compassionate circumstances:

  • Post-secondary students and parents – picking up belongings and student and returning to their home outside of the province;
  • Persons recently unemployed, who has no primary residence, and who plans to live with immediate family in PEI.
  • Persons completing a health or allied health internship in PEI;
  • Spouses and dependents of PEI residents;
  • Out-of-province students to attend a post-secondary institution in PEI;
  • Persons supporting a PEI resident experiencing a severe injury or illness or disability;
  • Permanent relocation due to severe illness or injury to be closer to a care provider;
  • To attend and support a person in palliative care;
  • To attend a wake/funeral/burial;
  • To support a person with birth of a child.

Reconsideration of Travel Requests

Applicants seeking reconsideration of their request for pre-travel approval are asked to submit a request to travelreview@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail). A team of senior officials, not previously involved in pre-travel approvals, will be responsible to review these applications upon request. To support an efficient review, it is important to include the type of pre-travel approval in the subject line, for example – Subject line: [Travel type] travel reconsideration request.

Travel types are:

  • Compassionate or exceptional circumstances;
  • Essential workers;
  • Permanent relocations;
  • Emergency medical reasons;
  • Family support;
  • Exercising custody arrangements; and
  • Seasonal residence

Applicants are required to include the following:

  • Submission ID (if available);
  • The reason for the reconsideration request;
  • Any new supporting documentation; and
  • A contact email address.

Email: travelreview@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail)

Response times may vary depending on the complexity of each request.