Travel to Canada: Requirements for COVID-19 vaccinated travellers

COVID-19 border measures end on October 1, 2022

Starting October 1, 2022, all COVID-19 border requirements, including vaccination, mandatory use of ArriveCAN, and any testing and quarantine/isolation requirements will end for all travellers entering Canada whether by land, air or sea.

Until then, find out if you can enter Canada and use ArriveCAN before you enter.

News release

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Check if you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, you must:

Accepted vaccines

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 calendar days by the day you travel:

If your proof of vaccination is not in English or French

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.

What is not accepted as a fully vaccinated traveller
Partial vaccination

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 Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson, Ad26.COV2.S (JNJ-78436735)) vaccine to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller and be allowed to enter Canada.

Recovered from COVID-19 with only one dose

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 Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson, Ad26.COV2.S (JNJ-78436735)), 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

Checklist of what you need to have ready at the border

To enter or return to Canada as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must follow all of these requirements.

Whether you’re driving or flying, have the following items with you for assessment by a government official at the border (land border crossings do not provide WiFi for travellers):

For travellers boarding a cruise ship, visit the Cruise ship travel page for requirements specific to cruise ships.

Pre-entry testing is not required

Pre-entry tests are not required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air or water. You must still use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under the age of 12 are not required to provide a valid pre-entry test result, if they are accompanying a fully vaccinated adult.

Children who are less than 5 years old are not required to test, regardless of their vaccination status.

Mandatory use of ArriveCAN (account, proof, help)

ArriveCAN continues to be mandatory for all travellers to Canada. It is also required to qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption from quarantine and testing. If you don’t submit your travel information and proof of vaccination using ArriveCAN you could be fined $5,000.

You must use the ArriveCAN mobile app or sign in on a computer to enter your proof of vaccination and travel information.

No smartphone or short trip? You still need to enter your information and submit in ArriveCAN up to 72 hours before your arrival in Canada or before a short trip outside Canada. Sign in to ArriveCAN from a computer to get your ArriveCAN receipt. Print your receipt and take it with you when you travel. You can also have someone submit your travel information on your behalf.

Upload proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN before you travel

  1. Locate the proof you'll need to upload

    2. Use your Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination

    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

    Sample of Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination. It shows the issuing province or territory, country of issuance as Canada, personal information, vaccination doses administered and a QR code.
    Others without Canadian proof of vaccination

    The proof you use:

    • must be official certificates, passes, cards, receipts, or confirmations that show any first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine you received
    • can't show only a QR code
    • must show as text:
      • your name
      • the name of the government or organization who administered the vaccine
      • the brand name or any other information that identifies the vaccine(s)
      • the date(s) you received the vaccine(s)
    • must be in English, French, or a certified translation into English or French

    Use the original file you received, or take a clear well-lit photo of your paper proof

    • file formats accepted: PDF, PNG, JPEG or JPG
    • maximum file size for upload: each image upload has a 2 MB size limit

  2. Save or move your proof of vaccination file(s) to have ready to upload

    • if you'll be using the ArriveCAN mobile app, save the file(s) onto your phone or you can take a picture of your paper proof of vaccination
    • or if you'll be signing into ArriveCAN online, save onto your computer
    • you can also send your proof to someone who'll complete your ArriveCAN form for you

    To be ready for your trip, create your free ArriveCAN account

  3. Upload your proof in ArriveCAN in the traveller profile

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 or trip to Canada.

Upload your proof in ArriveCAN
Travelling with mixed vaccination status or purposes of travel
  • Don’t include other travellers who are entering Canada for other purposes of travel or who are not fully vaccinated (unless they are less than 18 years old or a dependent adult) in a single submission. For example:
    • if you are a foreign national, including US citizens, travelling with another person who is a Canadian citizen, you should complete individual submissions
    • if you are travelling with a group of adult foreign nationals with mixed vaccination statuses, do not include unvaccinated travellers in your submission; you will not be issued an ArriveCAN receipt as unvaccinated foreign nationals are not eligible to enter Canada for discretionary travel

Troubleshooting vaccination issues in ArriveCAN

You couldn’t upload proof

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

No receipt from ArriveCAN

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 A, I or a V next to your name), start over in ArriveCAN before you cross the border. ArriveCAN will clear your previous submission.

Getting emails or calls about quarantine or testing

If 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 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 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 are receiving notifications that don't reflect your situation, use the ArriveCAN contact form so that your situation can be resolved:

Contact ArriveCAN form

Your ArriveCAN receipt doesn’t include the letters A, I, or V

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 A, I, or V next to your name:

If you’ve already submitted your information and have an ArriveCAN receipt without your vaccination information (for example, without an A, I, or V next to your name), start over in ArriveCAN before you cross the border. ArriveCAN will clear your previous submission.

People entering by land who haven’t completed ArriveCAN and obtained their receipt will be informed by a Border Services Officer of the requirements to submit their information through ArriveCAN. You may be allowed to:

If you don’t provide your information through ArriveCAN, you may be subject to:

Arrival tests if selected

Upon your entry to Canada by air or at a land border crossing, you may be randomly selected for a mandatory arrival test. You must complete your arrival test with an approved test provider. Your test provider is based on where you entered the country.

The test is free.

Who must take an arrival test if selected to do so upon arrival

Fully vaccinated travellers are not exempt from mandatory randomized arrival testing.

Requirements for children aged 5 to 11 accompanying fully vaccinated parents (and other eligible adults):

Who is exempt from arrival testing

Find out if your travel is exempt from arrival testing

Already recovered from COVID-19

You are exempt from arrival testing if you:

Counting starts the day after your test.

Arriving by air

On your entry to Canada, check your email to find out if you’ve been selected for mandatory random arrival testing.

If you’re selected for testing, you’ll receive an email within 15 minutes of completing your customs declaration and receiving your kiosk receipt. This email will have important information about where and when to get tested. It will be sent to the same email address you used for ArriveCAN. The email will be from noreply.pasdereponses@notification.canada.ca or quarantine.covid19.quarantaine@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

Follow the instructions in the email. It will have important information about where and when to get tested.

If you’re landing in one of the airports listed below, you may be selected for mandatory random testing. If selected, you must contact your test provider for instructions on where and when to complete your test.

When you register, use the same email address you used for your ArriveCAN account.

You can complete your test in-person or pick up a self-swab kit at select test provider locations, select pharmacies, or via a virtual appointment for a self-swab test.

Take advantage of near-airport locations, where available, for the quickest and easiest way to complete your arrival test.

Arrival testing at land borders

If you’re selected for testing, you’ll be given a self-swab kit when you arrive at a land border crossing. You’ll complete your test kit via a virtual telehealth appointment with your test provider. You’ll need to follow the instructions in your self-swab kit to complete the test at your destination. If you’re unable to complete a video appointment, contact your test provider for more testing options.

Use only the test kit that you received at the land border, or from the approved test provider. Tests done using any other test kit won’t be valid for the testing requirement.

Completing your arrival test

Use only the test kits that you received at the border, not any other test kits you may have. The instructions, web links and telephone numbers are all provided in the kit.

To complete your arrival test you must:

  1. Register with the approved test provider for the province of your point of entry. Use the same email address you used for ArriveCAN.
  2. Schedule your test with the test provider
  3. Complete the test by end of day the next calendar day after arriving into Canada

You must keep your ArriveCAN e-receipt number until your test is complete. If you arrived by air, you should also keep the email notification.

If you haven’t completed your test on time, you’ll be contacted by phone from 1-888-336-7735. It’s important that you answer this call.

Fines and consequences of failing to complete the testing requirements

If you’re selected for a mandatory arrival test, you’re under a legal obligation to take the test within the required timeframe. If you don't comply, you may face fines, or other enforcement measures.

Find your test provider

Your test provider is based on where you entered the country.

British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon

LifeLabs manages COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers.

Log in or create a LifeLabs account:

Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador

Switch Health manages COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers.

For pick-up options or to conduct your test via a virtual appointment:

Manitoba

Dynacare manages COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers.

Log in or create a Dynacare account to get and use your home test kit:

Quebec

Biron manages COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers.

For locations, make an appointment with Biron’s network of clinics and partners:

Your arrival test results

Most travellers will be notified of their test result within 4 days. If you haven’t received your test result in this time frame, you should contact your test provider.

You may not receive your test result if:

If a fully vaccinated traveller or unvaccinated child under 12 years of age tests positive on their arrival test:

If a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian, or tutor has travelled with a child and they experience symptoms or test positive:

If selected for arrival testing, you must provide proof of your test results, if asked, to any federal, provincial, territorial or municipal government official or peace officer.

Invalid or indeterminate results from your arrival test

If you receive an indeterminate or invalid test result, you must take another test.

Contact your test provider within 24 hours of receiving your test result to schedule another test.

After your arrival

Children or dependents

Any unvaccinated children must properly wear a well-constructed and well-fitting mask when in public spaces for the first 14 days after entry. This includes schools and daycares.

Children who are under 5 years of age

Children under 5 are exempt from vaccination requirements. They are also exempt from pre-entry testing, arrival testing and quarantine, without any limitations on their activities.

These exemptions apply only to the child, not to the parents, guardians or family members travelling together. Children who are 5 on the day of their travel are not exempt from testing requirements.

Children aged 5 through 11

Some federal rules for children entering Canada may be different from the provincial or territorial rules. In this case, you must follow the stricter rules.

Fully vaccinated children

Adults travelling with fully vaccinated children should upload their children’s proof of vaccination into ArriveCAN. As fully vaccinated travellers, they aren't required to provide proof of a pre-entry test result. They are also exempt from quarantine, without any limitations on their activities.

Arrival testing for children who qualify as fully vaccinated:

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children 5 through 11 years old

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under the age of 12 aren’t required to provide a valid pre-entry test result, if they’re accompanying a fully vaccinated adult.

They’re exempt from quarantine, without any limitations on their activities. This means, for example, they don't need to wait 14 days before attending school, camp or daycare. However they need to wear a mask in public settings (including school) for 14 days after arrival to Canada.

Arrival testing for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children 5 through 11 years old:

Note: Unvaccinated children over the age of 5 who aren’t accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult must test on arrival and on day 8 of their mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Youth aged 12 to 17

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated youth 12 to 17 years of age must complete the 14-day quarantine, and all testing requirements for pre-entry, arrival and Day-8 tests, even when they are accompanied by travellers who qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.

Follow the checklist of testing and quarantine requirements

Unvaccinated adult dependents

Dependents, 18 years of age or over who are unvaccinated because of mental or physical limitation may enter Canada but must follow all testing and quarantine requirements, even when their accompanying parent or guardian qualifies 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 (for example, 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.


Feature

You must use ArriveCAN to enter Canada

You must use ArriveCAN within 72 hours of your entry into Canada

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