Using your Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination

When travelling within Canada

You must show proof of vaccination to board a plane or train.

For more information, visit the Boarding flights, trains and cruise ships in Canada page.

When travelling internationally

When you leave Canada

You’ll need a proof of vaccination to board a plane or train.

Travelling outside Canada

Many international destinations may accept the Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination. However, each destination makes the final decision on what they accept as proof of vaccination. Before you travel, make sure to check

the entry and public health requirements for your destination, including those for COVID-19
- This includes any countries you transit through on your way to your final destination.
what rules are in place for participating in activities while there, such as going to museums, visiting people and entering restaurants
that the information on your COVID-19 proof of vaccination is correct and it matches the information on your passport
- Contact your province or territory to correct any errors before your trip.
- Find out what to do if the name on your proof doesn’t match your passport.

If you do not meet the country’s vaccination requirements, you may

be denied entry
need to quarantine
need to take tests or
need to meet other requirements when you arrive

You should not depend on the Government of Canada for assistance to change your travel plans. If you need to book extra accommodations due to such changes, this will be at your expense.

Check other travel advice and requirements

Government of Canada

Travel advice and advisories (by country)
Health and safety advice:
- Your health and safety while abroad
- How to reduce travel disruptions
- Help for Canadians currently outside Canada

Transit and airlines

Be sure to check

requirements in transit countries, as transit rules are in place for many destinations
airline websites for their requirements, if applicable

Accessing services outside of Canada

Before you travel, be sure to check what the requirements are for your destination. It’s up to them to determine which type of proof they will accept and for which situation.

How to use your proof when you return to Canada

All travellers entering Canada must follow entry requirements to keep everyone safe. This includes Canadian citizens.

Your vaccination status may exempt you from quarantine and some testing requirements. You can check COVID-19 travel information to find out which rules apply to you.

Upload your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN before you return

Download the most recent version of the ArriveCAN mobile app or use the web version.
The official Government of Canada version of ArriveCAN is free.
- It’s the secure way to provide mandatory information to enter Canada.
You’ll need to upload your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN up to 72 hours before your arrival in Canada or before you board your plane.
- Your proof of vaccination must be in English or French, or you must have a certified translation into English or French.

Mobility rights of Indigenous peoples that cross the Canada–US border

The Government of Canada is engaging with Indigenous partners to make sure the proof of vaccination responds to the needs and rights of Indigenous peoples. Under certain circumstances, such as communities that straddle the Canada–US border, a proof of vaccination is not required for crossings as part of currently exempted regular daily activities.

The Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is meant to simplify and facilitate border processing both in Canada and abroad, and work with existing exemptions for fully vaccinated travellers in Canada.

When accessing services in Canada

Some services in Canada, such as restaurants and sporting events, require proof of vaccination. It’s up to each province or territory to determine if proof is required to access services and, which type of proof they accept in which situations.

Some provinces and territories may issue more than 1 type of proof of vaccination:

1 for use within their province or territory to access services, such as restaurants, and
another for travel and use outside the province or territory to access services

Check with the province or territory to make sure you understand which proof is required.

Booster doses

If you got a booster dose, you can get an updated proof of vaccination certificate, with the official QR code, from your province or territory.

Find out more about booster doses.

If you have problems with your proof

The name on your proof of vaccination doesn’t match the name on your passport

If the name or date of birth on your Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination doesn’t match the information on your passport (or other government issued identity document that can be used to travel), you should:

use the name on your passport for travel bookings
- such as for plane tickets and hotels
carry other supporting identity documents when travelling
- such as your birth certificate, marriage certificate and identity documents issued by your province or territory
contact your province or territory to update the information on your proof of vaccination as soon as possible

If you need to travel before you update the information on your proof of vaccination, you may have problems such as delays at border crossings.

Example of information that doesn’t match

An example of information that doesn’t match could be having your name at birth on your proof of vaccination but your married name on your passport.

If you need to get a new copy of your proof of vaccination

Follow the instructions on your province’s or territory’s website to download or print a new copy.

If it was lost or stolen, it can’t be used on its own by someone else. It needs to be used with another document to verify your identity.

If your proof of vaccination is not accepted in the country you’re travelling to

The destination country decides whether or not to accept your proof of vaccination.

If you don’t meet their entry and health requirements to enter, do not travel to this country. If you do, you may be sent back to Canada at your own expense or need to follow the quarantine and testing rules of that country.

The Government of Canada cannot assist you with making new travel arrangements if this happens.

If there are issues scanning your proof of vaccination

Some countries may not be able to scan the QR code on your proof of vaccination.

If this happens, you can show the vaccination history available on the digital or paper copy of your proof of vaccination.

If there is an error in your information, contact your province or territory to correct it before your next trip.

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