If you’re planning to travel to Canada, it’s important to be aware of mandatory entry requirements that protect both you and people in Canada from the spread of COVID-19. Being prepared can also speed up processing time upon arrival and reduce the risk of exposure for you and others.
What’s new for Canada-bound travellers?
As of April 25, 2022, the following easing of border measures came into effect:
Pre-entry testing
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children aged 5-11 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor will no longer be required to complete a pre-entry COVID-19 test for entry to Canada.
Pre-entry tests will still be required for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers 12 and older who are currently eligible to travel to Canada. Children under 5 years of age are not required to provide a COVID-19 test result.
Quarantine Plan
All fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to provide a quarantine plan upon entry. This requirement will also be removed for children aged 5-11 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian, or tutor and travellers with a medical contraindication to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Masks, reporting symptoms and list of close contacts
Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be federally required to do the following for 14 days after arriving:
- mask while in public spaces;
- monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms;
- quarantine if another traveller in the same travel group exhibits signs or symptoms or tests positive; and
- maintain a list of close contacts and locations visited.
ArriveCAN
All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada and/or before boarding a plane or cruise ship destined for Canada, including:
- contact and travel information
- vaccination information and proof of vaccination (if applicable).
Fully vaccinated travellers who do not submit their information into ArriveCAN:
- won't be eligible for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption (i.e., they may have to submit a pre-entry test result and suitable quarantine plan, quarantine and undergo testing in Canada);
- may face additional delays at the border for public health questioning; and
- may be subject to fines or other enforcement action.
All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, must also continue to wear a mask throughout their entire travel journey.
Arrival Testing
Travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected for mandatory random testing. Travellers selected for mandatory random testing are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.
Travellers who have already recovered from COVID-19 and can provide proof of a positive molecular test result (taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada), are encouraged to bring that proof with them when travelling to Canada. Providing proof of a previous positive molecular test will prevent eligible travellers from being selected for mandatory randomized testing.
Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers eligible to enter Canada who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will continue to be tested with COVID-19 molecular tests on arrival and on Day 8, while they quarantine for 14 days. This includes unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers.
For additional information on the latest travel requirements, please visit: travel.gc.ca/travel-covid.