Starting on August 9th, Canada will change its rules on who they allow to enter the country. American citizens and permanent residents of the United States (who currently reside in the United States) who are fully vaccinated and meet the specific criteria will be allowed entry.
On September 7th, all other foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated with a Government of Canada approved vaccine within 14 days prior to entering Canada will be permitted entry.
There will no longer be a three-night hotel stopover requirement for travelers arriving by air after 12.01 am on August 9th as long as you meet the exemption requirements.
To qualify for the exemption, prior to departure, you must have a negative COVID-19 test result from a pretest, have a quarantine plan in place in case it is needed, and have a test upon arrival.
Preregistering for the arrival test will save you time. You are not required to wait for the results, you may continue to your destination.
Should your arrival test be positive you will be contacted by your local health authority to be given further instructions.
Before arriving at the Canadian border, whether by land, air, or sea being prepared will save you time and frustration. You should:
- confirm that you are eligible to enter the country
- confirm you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler
- get a pre-entry COVID-19 test
- preregister for your arrival test
- make and bring a quarantine plan
- submit all documents in ArriveCAN 72 hours before arrival at the border
Upon arrival you will need to provide the following:
- ArriveCAN receipt
- proof of vaccination
- pre-entry test results
- any other required travel documents
After arrival:
- take a test at the border or get a home test kit
- wear a mask and maintain distance for the first 14 days in Canada.
Fully Vaccinated: What Qualifies?
Current acceptable vaccines recognized by Canada are the following:
- Pfizer
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
Travelers must; have received the full series of an accepted vaccine (or a combination thereof), have received their last dose at least 14 days prior to the day they plan to enter Canada, and have uploaded proof of their vaccination in ArriveCAN.
What is ArriveCAN: How to use it
ArriveCAN is a mobile app that provides mandatory travel information on and after your entry into Canada. It is a free and secure platform used to gain and share information required to enter the country.
All travelers arriving in Canada by air and by land must use ArriveCAN. Your information needs to be submitted 72 hours prior to arrival.
ArriveCAN will send notifications and emails giving information about any quarantine requirements and testing that may be required.
Share this article
Arghavan Gerami
Arghavan Gerami is the Founder and Senior Counsel at Gerami Law Professional Corporation ('PC'), a full-service immigration law firm in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 2011, Ms. Gerami has focused her practice on immigration and refugee litigation. Prior to that, Ms. Gerami worked at the Ministry of Attorney General and the Department of Justice and had the privilege of serving the Honourable Mr. Justice M. Evans at the Federal Court of Appeal on immigration and administrative law appeals. Ms. Gerami contributes to the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Ms. Gerami has also published numerous journal articles and presented at various immigration and refugee law conferences and events across Canada.