Canada Entry Requirements: What to Know When Travelling During COVID-19

Update as of 28 Sep 2022: Canada will lift all travel restrictions related to COVID-19 beginning 1 Oct 2022.

The Niagara Falls, Banff National Park, Whistler, and many more of Canada’s majestic attractions are finally ready for your return — or first-time visit. After two years of tight border restrictions, Canada has started to welcome foreign tourists again. Get a head start on your journey and take note of the Canada entry requirements here!

Also read: USA Entry Requirements: What to Know When Travelling During COVID-19

Canada Entry Requirements

Travellers are only allowed to enter Canada if they are fully vaccinated. Starting 1 April 2022, COVID-19 tests will no longer be part of the entry requirements in Canada. 

Those who qualify as fully vaccinated travellers are individuals with at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, a mix of two accepted vaccines, or at least one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They should have completed their doses at least 14 calendar days before entering Canada.

Pre-arrival documents for vaccinated travellers

Travellers will need to prepare the following:

• Professionally administered negative COVID-19 test result (for those travelling before 1 April 2022). The test must have been taken no more than one day before your scheduled entry into Canada. Children under five years old don’t need a pre-entry test. Read more about this here.
• Download the app called ArriveCan. Present the ArriveCan receipt with letter I or V or A, beside the vaccinated traveller’s name. These letters signify that a government official at the border can discuss your vaccination status with you because you’re fully vaccinated.
• Proof of vaccination uploaded on ArriveCan (whether original or paper copy)
• Quarantine plan (for those travelling before 1 April 2022)
• Travel documents like your passport uploaded on ArriveCan 

Singapore – Canada VTL

Singapore currently maintains a Vaccinated Travel Lane with Canada, which allows quarantine-free travel between the two countries. Fully vaccinated Singaporeans must upload their travel information on ArriveCan within 72 hours of arriving in Canada. Singaporeans transiting through Canada must apply for an electronic travel authorisation (this is not required if you’re transiting via bus, train, or boat).

Canadians travelling to Singapore must be fully vaccinated and present vaccination certificates issued in the SMART Health Card (SHC) format, by issuers in Canada. Upon arrival in Singapore, fully vaccinated Canadians must present their pre-departure negative test results taken in the last 48 hours.

Arrival in Canada

You may be randomly selected for a COVID-19 arrival test. But as a fully vaccinated traveller, you can still travel to your destination without quarantine while waiting for your arrival test result. 

If your arrival test is negative, keep these protocols in mind:

• Follow local public health measures
• Wear a fitted mask in public spaces for the first 14 days after entry
• Maintain a list of all close contacts and locations you visit 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 an arrival test comes back positive, the following steps must be observed:

• Fully vaccinated travellers or unvaccinated children under 12 years old must isolate for 10 days. Those who are experiencing symptoms must quarantine for 14 days and monitor the symptoms. 
• You must report your test results and/or symptoms to PHAC by calling 1-833-641-0343

Additionally, if you travelled with a person who tested positive, you must begin a 14-day quarantine period starting from your last exposure to the positive case. 

In the case of children or dependents

• Fully vaccinated children under 12 years old: Guardians of these children have the option to upload proof of their children’s vaccination on ArriveCan. The benefit of this is that if the guardian is not fully vaccinated, the child will qualify for a quarantine exemption and will not need to undergo mandatory testing on Day 1 and Day 8. 
• Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated children under 12 years old: If the guardian qualifies as a fully vaccinated traveller, then their unvaccinated children are exempt from quarantine. 
• For youth ages 12 to 17: Those within this age group who are not completely vaccinated against COVID-19 are subject to a 14-day quarantine, pre-arrival testing requirements, as well as Day 1 and Day 8 tests. 
• Learn more about these Canada entry requirements here. 

During your stay

Canada has relaxed its COVID-19 protocols with regard to social gatherings, indoor dining, and even face masks in recent months. According to CNN Travel, most Canadian provinces still advise everyone to keep a distance of two metres to avoid the spread of the virus. Check the provincial rules here.

Also read: Cambodia Travel Requirements: What to Know Before Visiting

Ready to make your Canadian adventure happen? Follow the Canada travel requirements well and we’re sure you won’t have any hiccups!

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Featured image credit: Guillaume Jaillet | Unsplash