Canada's Travel Restrictions: International Borders Open to All |

Canada’s Travel Restrictions: International Borders Open to All Vaccinated Travellers

Canada has adhered to the plan to open the border to all fully vaccinated travellers starting 7 September 2021.

Fully vaccinated travellers from across the world, with a Canada-approved vaccine, will be welcomed back into the country for non-essential purposes, including tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends and family.

The Canada Border Services Agency has announced the change on Twitter on 4 September.

Previously, Canada's land and air borders were closed to all travellers from abroad who did not have an essential reason for visiting.

On 9 August, fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents residing in the United States were given the green light to visit Canada.

Canada’s New Entry Rule

In order to enter Canada for a discretionary purpose and skip mandatory quarantine, all international visitors must have received the full course of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before travelling.

All travellers must also have proof of a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours before landing in Canada.

Travellers who've already had COVID-19 and recovered can provide proof of a positive COVID-19 test result instead, taken between 14 and 180 days before departure to Canada.

All passengers are required to submit their details via the ArriveCAN app or website in English or French, including proof of vaccination and a backup quarantine plan in case travellers are required to quarantine unexpectedly.

While fully vaccinated passengers from almost all countries will be permitted to enter Canada from 07 September, there are some exceptions.

Canada has suspended all direct commercial and private passenger flights from India until at least 21 September and Morocco until at least 29 September.

Passengers arriving in Canada via either India or Morocco must get a valid pre-departure COVID-19 test result from a third country, other than India or Morocco.

Border Testing Surveillance Program

Since 09 August 9, fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada have not been required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival unless they are randomly selected.

This border testing surveillance program will remain in place as of 7 September.

All travellers who are randomly selected for the border testing surveillance program must complete the mandatory arrival test; however, they do not have to quarantine while awaiting the result.
Notice from the Government of Canada.

Anybody who refuses to be randomly tested by border officials may face fines.

Provincial Vaccine Passports

Another hurdle travellers to Canada may face is having to prove their vaccination status to enter certain venues.

In Quebec and Manitoba, people must show proof of vaccination to gain entry to many non-essential locations and activities. Ontario plans to soon implement a similar vaccine passport program, and British Columbia will put one into effect on 13 September.

Canada’s Advice for International Travel for its Citizens

While international flights from Canada are beginning to resume and travel health insurance is available to those who want to go abroad, the government's official advice has not changed.

The federal government continues to advise Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside of the country, as it says “international travel increases your risk of exposure to COVID-19 and its variants, as well as of spreading it to others.”

Canada is on both the EU and the UK’s safe list which means Canadians can skip quarantine in these countries.

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