Starting October 30, 2021: To depart from Canadian airports or travel on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, travellers will need to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller. This will also apply to travellers on cruise ships when the cruise season commences in 2022.
Exemptions for fully vaccinated travellers
If you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller you are:
- Required to show a pre-entry molecular test
- Required to use ArriveCAN
- Exempt from quarantine
- Exempt from Day-8 testing
All travellers can be eligible to enter Canada as a fully vaccinated traveller regardless of citizenship. Canadians must meet and follow all of the same entry requirements.
If you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you also do not have to do on-arrival testing, unless you are selected for a mandatory randomized test.
If you provide essential services or already qualify for other exemptions from quarantine and Day-8 testing, you don’t need to be considered a fully vaccinated traveller to enter Canada.
Check if you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller
To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, you must:
- have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a full series of a combination of accepted vaccines
- have received your last dose at least 14 full days prior to the day you enter Canada
- Example: if your last dose was anytime on Thursday July 1, then Friday July 16 would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition
- upload your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
- have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
- meet all other entry requirements (for example, pre-entry test result)
Accepted COVID-19 vaccines in Canada
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
- Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
- AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
If your proof of vaccination is not in English or French
You need to upload a certified translation into ArriveCAN 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.
What is not accepted as a fully vaccinated traveller
- Vaccines not currently accepted
- Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
- Cansino (Convidecia, Ad5-nCoV)
- Gamaleya (Sputnik V, Gam-Covid-Vac)
- Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV, Sinopharm-Wuhan)
- Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
- Vector Institute (EpiVacCorona)
- The list of accepted vaccines may expand in the future.
- Partial vaccination
- At this time, travellers who haven't received the full series of a vaccine – or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada – do not qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller allowed to enter Canada
- Recovered from COVID-19 with only one dose
- If you have recovered from COVID-19, you still need a full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or combination of 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.
Requirements to follow for your trip
To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must also follow these requirements:
1. Get a pre-entry test
- All travellers 5 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, must provide proof of a COVID-19 negative molecular test result to enter Canada or proof of a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days.
- Rapid antigen tests will not be accepted.
- Accepted types of molecular tests
- PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
- Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
- Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
- Other acceptable types of tests
- RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- Isothermal amplification
- Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
- Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
- RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
- Ct (cycle threshold)
- CRISPR
- Sequencing
- Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole genome sequencing (WGS)
- Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE)
- Detection of the N gene
- Detection of Orf1a/b
- Detection of the S gene
- Detection of the E gene
- Detection of the RdRp gene
-
If you’ve already had COVID-19 you may continue to test positive after you’ve recovered and are no longer infectious.
- 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.
- The test must have been conducted at least 14 and no more than 180 days before:
- the initial scheduled departure time of your aircraft
- your scheduled entry into Canada by water or land
-
The proof of the positive result must be from an accepted type of molecular test
- When and where to get a negative pre-entry test result
- If you're flying to Canada, 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:
- the test must be conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada
- you may need to schedule the test in your transit city
- If you have a connecting flight:
- If you're arriving by car, bus, boat, ferry or train from the United States, you must take a molecular test in the United States within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada.
- For short trips that are less than 72 hours, Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents and protected persons travelling to the United States are allowed to do their pre-entry molecular test before they leave Canada.
- If your test is more than 72 hours old when you re-enter Canada, you’ll be required to get a new pre-entry molecular test in the United States
- Before leaving Canada, verify that you meet the entry requirements for your destination country
Providing proof of your result
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 test result taken between 14 and 180 days that includes:
- Traveller name and date of birth
- Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
- The date on which the test was conducted
- The type of test conducted
- The test result
- You must show proof of your test results even if you:
- have tested negative for COVID-19 before the 72-hour period
- have been vaccinated for COVID-19
- recovered from COVID-19 and no longer test positive
- recovered from COVID-19 and continue to test positive
Keep proof of your test results with you for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada.
Travellers should have their test performed at a reputable laboratory or testing facility (i.e., one recognized by the local government or accredited by a third party, such as a professional organization or international standards organization).
2. Quarantine plan in case you don’t qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller
- You must be prepared to quarantine for 14 days, in case you:
- don’t meet the requirements of a fully vaccinated traveller
- A suitable quarantine plan must be entered into ArriveCAN. You may be asked to explain your quarantine plan at the border.
3. Upload proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
- You must use ArriveCAN, which is free to use, to enter your proof of vaccination, quarantine and travel information up to 72 hours before your travel.
- If you don't provide the required information in ArriveCAN before arriving at the border you won't be considered as a fully vaccinated traveller, even if you meet all the other requirements.
Exceptions
- People arriving by boat (including ferry): you may use ArriveCAN to submit your proof of vaccination within 72 hours before or when you enter Canada
- People with a disability or other special circumstances may be exempt from using ArriveCAN
Proof of vaccination requirements
Your proof of vaccination (receipts, cards, confirmations) must contain the following information as text, not only a QR code:
- the name of the person who received the vaccine
- the name of the government or organization who administered the vaccine;
- the brand name or any other information that identifies the vaccine that was administered
- the dates on which the vaccine was administered. If the proof of vaccination is one document issued for both doses that only includes the date of the most recent dose, use that date.
- Canadians can get proof of vaccination from their province or territory.
Uploading proof of your vaccination in ArriveCAN
In ArriveCAN, within 72 hours before your travel, you must:
- provide information on your vaccination status. This includes information on any first or, if applicable, second vaccine doses that you received, including:
- dates the vaccines were administered
- the country where they were given
- name of vaccine
- upload a photo or PDF file of your proof of each vaccination:
- if you received two doses and they are both recorded on a single card or PDF, upload that same image or file for dose 1 and again for dose 2
- file formats accepted: PDF, PNG, JPEG or JPG
- maximum file size for upload: each image upload has a 2 MB size limit
- preferred file format: if you received a PDF file of your vaccination record, upload the PDF rather than an image, since the PDF is clearer and easier to read
- these must be in English, French, or a certified translation into English or French
Bring your original proof of vaccination with you while you travel and for 14 days after entry.
- 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.
4. Checklist of what to have ready at the border
Have the following items with you, on paper or a screenshot for assessment by a government official at the border:
V ArriveCAN receipt with letter I or V beside the vaccinated traveller’s name
V proof of vaccination
V pre-entry test results
V other travel documents
Take a screenshot: please note that land border crossings do not provide wifi for travellers.
5. Arrival tests - randomized testing and exemptions
Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, the border services officer may notify you that you have been selected for a mandatory randomized arrival test.
If you are selected for a mandatory randomized test, you:
- Must take the arrival test as directed on the day you enter Canada
- May have specimen collected upon arrival or receive a home kit to complete within 24 hours of entering Canada
- Don't have to wait for the results, you can travel on to your final destination, including taking connecting flights
- Don’t have to quarantine while waiting for your results
- Are not required to pay a fee for the arrival test
Completing your arrival test
Follow the directions you receive on arrival to complete your test:
- if you were directed to an on-site collection area at the airport or border crossing, you are required to register and the on-site test providers will collect your specimen
- if you are provided with a home kit, use the instructions in the kit to complete it within 24 hours of entering Canada, and arrange for it to be picked up
Who is exempt from arrival testing
- Already recovered: Travellers who provide a positive COVID-19 molecular pre-entry test result, conducted at least 14 and no more than 180 days before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border crossing, are exempt from arrival testing
- People arriving by boat are exempt from arrival testing
- Children under the age of 5 are exempt from arrival testing
- Fully vaccinated travellers are not exempt from mandatory randomized arrival testing.
Fines and consequences of failing to complete the testing requirements
- 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.
Your arrival test results
You can travel on to your destination without waiting for your arrival test results.
If your arrival test is negative:
- follow local public health measures
- wear a mask when in public spaces for the first 14 days after your entry;
- maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada
- monitor yourself for signs and symptoms
- keep copies of your proof of vaccination and pre-arrival tests for 14 days
If your arrival test is positive and you are a fully vaccinated traveller
- Immediately contact and follow the instructions of the local public health authority where you are staying
- Report your positive test result to the Public Health Agency of Canada by calling 1-833-641-0343
- Keep copies of your proof of vaccination for 14 days
Invalid or indeterminate results from your arrival test
- 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.
How to contact your test provider
- British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon
LifeLabs manages all COVID-19 testing for travellers arriving at these provinces.
Contact LifeLabs
Phone Toll-free: 1-877-313-4982
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
Switch Health manages all COVID-19 testing.
Contact Switch Health
Phone 1-647-977-1030
Toll-free: 1-888-966-6531
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Manitoba, Quebec
Dynacare manages all COVID-19 testing for travellers arriving in Manitoba and Quebec with the exception of those terminating their trip and leaving the Montreal airport, where Biron provides the arrival test.
Contact Dynacare
Phone 1-855-497-1071
Website: Dynacare border testing
- If you arrived at the Montreal airport
Contact Biron at 1-866-382-0287