Ottawa: On November 8, 2021, the United States began allowing fully vaccinated travellers from Canada to enter the United States at land and ferry points of entry for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism.
The Canada Border Services Agency is reminding travellers that border measures remain in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada from anywhere in the world and that they should get informed and understand their obligations as they make their travel plans.
Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border. Canadian residents can check with their home province or territory about getting COVID-19 proof of vaccination to facilitate their return to Canada.
Fully vaccinated travellers coming to Canada must complete the mandatory pre-arrival molecular COVID-19 test and submit their mandatory information including their digital proof of vaccination in English or French using the free ArriveCAN (App or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada.
Antigen tests, often called “rapid tests,” are not accepted. Fully vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada continue to be subject to mandatory random testing on arrival.
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 take their pre-arrival molecular test before they leave Canada.
If the test is more than 72 hours old when they re-enter Canada, they will be required to get a new pre-arrival molecular test in the United States. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada must continue to follow pre-arrival, arrival and Day-8 molecular COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine for 14 days.
Full details on the current measures in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada are available online: COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders. Travellers may experience delays at ports of entry due to the public health measures as the CBSA will not compromise the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of border wait times.
The CBSA thanks travellers for their collaboration and patience. All questions about U.S. entry and health requirements, should be directed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. All incoming travellers to Canada should have: \◦ received the full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty, Moderna Spikevax, AstraZeneca Vaxzevria/COVISHIELD, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); and ◦ received your last dose at least 14 days before your arrival to Canada.
• Fully vaccinated travellers must also meet all other entry criteria, including:
◦ submitting all required COVID-19 information into ArriveCAN prior to travel (if arriving by air, information must be submitted before boarding a flight)
◦ meeting the pre-entry testing requirements ◦ being asymptomatic upon arrival
◦ having a paper or digital copy of your proof of vaccination in English or French (or certified translation); and
◦ having a quarantine plan, in case you don’t get the exemption or test positive after entry.
• Within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada:
◦ Take a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test (Antigen tests are not accepted for entry)
◦ Use ArriveCAN. There are strict requirements you must follow even if you are exempt from quarantine. You must wear a mask at all times when in public spaces; maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada and monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19.