Effective December 15, 2021: Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada, regardless of your vaccination status. Omicron travel health notice
Travellers are eligible to enter or return to Canada if they qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.
Vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada for the purpose of travel to and within Canada:
To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must have received, at least 14 full days prior to the day you travel:
- at least 2 doses of a vaccine accepted by the Government of Canada for the purpose of travel
- or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
- or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine
If your proof of vaccination is not in English or French, you need a certified translation in English or French.
Your certified translation must include the stamp or membership number of a professional translation association.
Translation of documents
Keep both the original proof of vaccination and the certified translation with you while you travel.
If your proof of vaccination doesn’t meet all of the requirements, it will be considered invalid. You will not qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.
You must have received at least 2 doses of an accepted vaccine, or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines, or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller and be allowed to enter Canada.
If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, you still need at least 2 doses of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or mix of 2 accepted vaccines.
If you’ve only had one dose of an accepted vaccine other than Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), you don’t qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption.
If you do not qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, you may still be able to enter Canada.
Find out if you can enter Canada
To enter or return to Canada as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must follow all of these requirements.
Have the following items with you for assessment by a government official at the border (land border crossings do not provide WiFi for travellers):
If you are now symptom-free, you can provide proof of a positive COVID-19 molecular test when crossing the border, instead of a negative one.
You must take a molecular test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada.
If you have a connecting flight:
If you’re taking a direct flight from India to Canada, you’ll need proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test from the Genestrings Laboratory at the Delhi airport. The test must be taken within 18 hours of the scheduled departure of your direct flight to Canada.
If you’re taking an indirect flight from India to Canada, you’ll still need proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test, within 72 hours of your final flight to Canada. The test must be taken in the country from which your flight to Canada will depart.
If you’re taking a direct flight from Morocco to Canada, your pre-entry test result must be presented as a Moroccan COVID-19 PCR Test Certificate issued by the Government of Morocco.
The certificate may be for a negative result taken within 72 hours of scheduled departure or a positive result between 14 and 180 days before departure (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago).
If you tested positive in another country prior to arrival in Morocco, you must provide proof of a positive molecular test result from 14 and 180 days before your departure (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago).
If you’re taking an indirect flight from Morocco to Canada, you’ll still need proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test, within 72 hours of your final flight to Canada. The test must be taken in the country from which your flight to Canada will depart.
Airlines may refuse boarding to travellers who are unable to provide a valid negative molecular test result or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken between 14 and 180 days ago (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago).
You must take a molecular test outside of Canada within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada.
These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.
When you arrive at the border, you must present an accepted negative molecular test result (paper or electronic proof) or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken between 14 and 180 days (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago) that includes:
Keep proof of your test results with you for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada.
Select the country you’re coming from. Not all countries have testing facilities information available yet.
Canadian government offices abroad do not provide medical services (including administering COVID-19 testing) or cover medical expenses for Canadian citizens abroad. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.
Foreign nationals without a valid negative pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result, proof of a previous positive test result or who have symptoms of COVID-19, will be denied entry into Canada.
All travellers arriving in Canada are required by Canadian law to respond truthfully to all questions. Providing false information to a Government of Canada official upon entry to Canada is a serious offence and may result in penalties and/or criminal charges. Foreign nationals who provide false information could also be denied entry to the country and/or be barred from returning to Canada.
Making a false declaration when boarding a flight to Canada, including the presentation of a fraudulent test result, carries the potential for up to $5,000 in administrative monetary penalties under the Aeronautics Act, in addition to a fine of $5,000 plus additional surcharges under the Quarantine Act, if the same false document is also presented upon entry into Canada.
Violating any instructions provided when you enter Canada or putting others at risk of a serious communicable disease are offences under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to three years in prison and/or up to $1 million in fines.
You must use the ArriveCAN mobile app or sign in on a computer to enter your proof of vaccination, quarantine and travel information.
To be ready for your trip, create your free ArriveCAN account
To get an ArriveCAN receipt, submit your travel and quarantine plan information within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.
No smartphone? Within 72 hours of your arrival in Canada, sign in to ArriveCAN from a computer to get your ArriveCAN receipt. Print your receipt and take it with you when you travel.
Use your Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination PDF with QR code to smooth your journey.
The Canadian proof is a bilingual file that shows the country of issuance as Canada, the issuing province or territory, your name, and birthdate above a QR code, followed by doses received
The proof you use:
Use the original file you received, or take a clear well-lit photo of your paper proof
To be ready for your trip, create your free ArriveCAN account
Upload your proof of vaccination and your travel documents before any planned travel:
Final determination of your vaccination status will be made at the border. You must bring a digital or paper copy of your proof(s) of vaccination with you and keep it for 14 days after entry.
Complete your ArriveCAN form to get your receipt within 72 hours before your return to Canada.
People entering by land who were unaware of the mandatory use of ArriveCAN will be informed by a Border Services Officer of the mandatory requirements to submit their information through ArriveCAN and will be allowed to:
People arriving by boat (including ferry) may use ArriveCAN to submit your proof of vaccination within 72 hours of arriving or when you enter Canada. Travellers arriving by boat must still provide a pre-entry test within 72 hours of their planned entry into Canada.
You must be prepared to quarantine when entering Canada as you could:
A suitable quarantine plan must be entered into ArriveCAN. You may be asked to explain your quarantine plan at the border.
Some travellers may be unable to quarantine at home or their final destination. In these cases, travellers are expected to make alternative arrangements for their entry to Canada. Although alternative accommodations (e.g. with family or friends, or paid accommodation) may be suitable, the Government of Canada does not reimburse for expenses incurred for accommodations, including hotels, RV rentals and trailer park or campground fees.
Make your quarantine plans in advance of your arrival to Canada. Foreign nationals who do not have a suitable plan may be denied entry into Canada. If you do not have a suitable place to quarantine, you may be directed to a federal designated quarantine facility.
Before travellers are directed to a federal designated quarantine facility, government representatives may work with them to confirm that all other options for quarantine accommodations within their own means have been exhausted.
Where required, transportation from the border crossing to a federal designated quarantine and the cost of the facility is provided by the Government of Canada.
As a fully vaccinated traveller, you can travel to your place of quarantine, including on connecting flights, without waiting for your arrival test results (if selected for testing), unless it is determined at the border that you do not have a suitable quarantine plan.
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, the border services officer may notify you that you have been randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test.
Requirements for children accompanying parents:
Fully vaccinated travellers are not exempt from mandatory randomized arrival testing.
Find out if your travel is exempt from arrival testing
Quarantine requirements depend on where you’ve been within the last 14 days:
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, the border services officer may notify you that you have been randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test.
All travellers are strongly encouraged to pre-register for an on-arrival COVID-19 molecular test in advance of landing in Canada to avoid lengthy lines and delays in processing.
If you are randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test, you:
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, the border services officer may notify you that you have been randomly selected for an arrival test.
If you are randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test, you:
You may be required to get tested before exiting the airport. To speed you through the process, register in advance with the testing provider for the airport you will arrive at.
When you register, use the same email address you used for your ArriveCAN account.
Follow the directions you receive on arrival to complete your test:
You are under a legal obligation to take the arrival test within the required timeframe. If you don’t comply, you may not be exempted from quarantine. You may also be required to go to a quarantine facility, face fines, or other enforcement measures.
You can take connecting flights and trains without waiting for your arrival test results.
If your arrival test is negative:
You must take another test.
- If you completed your test using a kit: another kit should be automatically couriered to you by your testing provider but it is recommended that you contact the provider to ensure a kit is on its way.
- If you were tested on-site at the airport: contact your testing provider to find out how to complete a re-test.
LifeLabs manages all COVID-19 testing for travellers arriving at these provinces.
Phone
Email
Switch Health manages all COVID-19 testing.
Phone
Email
Dynacare manages all COVID-19 testing for travellers arriving in Manitoba and Quebec.
Phone
Website: Dynacare border testing
Monitor for symptoms for 14 days after your arrival.
If a fully vaccinated traveller or unvaccinated child under 12 years of age tests positive:
If a parent, step-parent, guardian, or tutor experiences symptoms or tests positive:
You must provide proof of your test results, if asked, to any federal, provincial, territorial or municipal government official or peace officer.
If you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, your unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated children must follow specific requirements when you return to or enter Canada. This applies to unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated children under 12 years of age who are accompanying a parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor who qualified as a fully vaccinated traveller when they entered Canada.
These requirements also apply if you are returning from a short trip of less than 72 hours.
Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated children under 12 must complete pre-entry, arrival and Day-8 tests, unless you have evidence that the child had a positive COVID-19 test taken 14 to 180 days prior to arrival in Canada or the child is under 5 years of age.
For the next 14 days, the children must also:
What your child can do for the next 14 days, as long as they wear a mask and physically distance from non-household members:
For 14 days following entry into Canada, you and any unvaccinated children under the age of 12 who travelled with you must:
If the child receives an indeterminate or invalid test result, they are required to take another test. Please contact your testing provider within 24 hours of receiving your test result to make arrangements to complete another self-swab kit.
Common signs and symptoms of COVID-19
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated youth 12 to 17 years of age are subject to the 14-day quarantine, and all testing requirements for pre-entry, arrival and Day-8 tests, whether or not they are accompanied by travellers who qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.
Follow the checklist of testing and quarantine requirements
Dependents 18 years of age or over who are unvaccinated because of mental or physical limitation may enter but must follow all testing and quarantine requirements, even when they are accompanied by parents or guardians who qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.
Follow the checklist of testing and quarantine requirements
ArriveCAN: If your submission includes travellers who are not exempt from the requirement to quarantine (e.g., unvaccinated 12 to 17 year olds or unvaccinated dependent adults), you will receive ArriveCAN notifications and will be asked to complete daily reporting for the unvaccinated travellers.
If you’ve already submitted your information and have an ArriveCAN receipt without your vaccination information (i.e., without an I or a V next to your name), start over in ArriveCAN before you cross the border. ArriveCAN will clear your previous submission.
Use ArriveCAN – It’s free, download the mobile app or sign in online
If ArriveCAN didn’t ask you to upload proof of vaccination, or showed a message that you are not eligible to enter Canada, there are several possible reasons:
If you’ve already submitted your information and have an ArriveCAN receipt without your vaccination information (for example, without an I or a V next to your name), start over in ArriveCAN before you cross the border. ArriveCAN will clear your previous submission.
If you uploaded your proof of vaccination into ArriveCAN and qualified as a fully vaccinated traveller at the border (meaning that you have an A, I, or V next to your name on your ArriveCAN receipt), you should not receive further emails or notifications from ArriveCAN.
If your submission included travellers who are not exempt from the requirement to quarantine (e.g., unvaccinated 12- to 17-year-olds or unvaccinated dependent adults), you will receive ArriveCAN notifications and will be asked to complete daily reporting for the unvaccinated travellers. If you did not have an A, I, or V next to your name on your ArriveCAN receipt, you did not qualify as fully vaccinated and will get post-border notifications.
If you are receiving notifications that don’t reflect your situation, use the ArriveCAN contact form so that your situation can be resolved:
Contact ArriveCAN form
You may see one or more letters beside your name on your receipt. This means that you may have to discuss one of the following with a Government official at the border:
If there’s no letter I, V, or A next to your name
If you’ve already submitted your information and have an ArriveCAN receipt without your vaccination information (for example, without an I, V or A next to your name), start over in ArriveCAN before you cross the border. ArriveCAN will clear your previous submission.
ArriveCAN general troubleshooting and help
Use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information before your entry into Canada
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