As of 12:01 a.m. EST on January 5, all air travellers who are two years of age and older, arriving on flights originating from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao, will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than two days before their departure, to the airline prior to boarding. The test could be either a negative molecular (such as a PCR test), or a negative antigen test that has documentation to show that it has been monitored by a telehealth service or an accredited laboratory or testing provider. Passengers who tested positive more than 10 days before their departure flight, but no more than 90 days, can provide the airline with documentation of their prior positive, in place of a negative test result.
These planned health measures will apply to air travellers, regardless of nationality and vaccination status. They are temporary measures, in place for 30 days, that will be reassessed as more data and evidence becomes available. Airlines must receive the negative COVID-19 test result, or documentation of a positive test result taken within the prior 10-90 days, before the traveller boards the plane, otherwise the traveller will be denied boarding.
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. https://travel.gc.ca/travel-
Transport Canada is also removing existing travel requirements. As of October 1, 2022, travellers will no longer be required to:
Although the masking requirement is being lifted, all travellers are strongly recommended to wear high-quality and well-fitted masks during their journeys.https://www.canada.ca/en/
As of April 1, 2022:
Pre-entry tests will no longer be required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air or water. Until then, follow the pre-entry test requirements described at: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada
As a reminder, travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected for mandatory random testing. Travellers selected for mandatory random testing are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.
For partially or unvaccinated travelers who are currently allowed to travel to Canada, pre-entry testing requirements are not changing. Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers 5 years of age or older who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must continue to provide proof of an accepted type of pre-entry COVID-19 test result.
All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) before their arrival in Canada. Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status. Travellers taking a cruise or a plane must submit their information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before boarding.
For 14 days following entry into Canada, you must:
Some federal rules after entering Canada are different from the provincial or territorial rules. In this case, you must follow the stricter rules.
Monitor for symptoms for 14 days after your arrival.
As of February 25, 2022:
The deadline for unvaccinated Foreign Nationals (FNs) to continue to be allowed to depart Canada, with a valid test, has been extended from February 28 to August 31, 2022. Prior to the revised deadline of Sept 1, 2022, the policy will be revisited.
Foreign nationals who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated and who don’t permanently reside in Canada will continue to be allowed to depart Canada until August 31, 2022. As of February 28, 2022, foreign nationals who are travelling outbound from Canada and who don't qualify as fully vaccinated, must be in possession of a valid COVID-19 test result by providing proof of either a valid COVID-19 molecular test or a COVID-19 antigen test As is the case today, they must continue to show proof of a valid COVID-19 test result at the time of boarding with one of the following results:
Effective February 28, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. EST:
December 15, 2021:
Fully vaccinated travellers who have been in any country other than Canada and the United States in the 14 days prior to entry to Canada may be selected for arrival testing. They must quarantine in a suitable place until they receive a negative test result. The Government of Canada is increasing the number of fully vaccinated travellers being selected for testing to reach 100% of vaccinated travellers in the coming weeks.
Requirements for unvaccinated travellers remain unchanged.
Further details at: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
November 30, 2021, 03:01 AM EST, three additional COVID-19 vaccines approved for use by the World Health Organization will be accepted for travel to and within Canada.
January 15, 2022, international students who are 18 years old and older; will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada.
Updated: As of September 24th, 2021
If you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you may now enter Canada for study for 6 months or less with a valid travel document (visitor visa or electronic travel authorization [eTA]). However, there are advantages to getting a study permit for study for 6 months or less, including facilitating re-entry to Canada if you travel during your studies.
If you don’t qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must meet all of the following requirements to come to Canada to study for 6 months or less:
Updated: As of September 7th, 2021
On September 7, 2021, fully vaccinated foreign nationals will be eligible to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism; however, these individuals must:
For more information please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/news/2021/09/travel-advisory-reminder--on-september-7-new-measures-for-fully-vaccinated-international-travellers-to-canada-will-come-into-force.html
Updated: As of July 20th, 2021
Detailed information regarding the federal government announcements made today can be found at the links here: https://www.canada.ca/en/
For quick reference, her are a few excerpts/highlights from each:
2) On September 7, 2021, provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable, the Government intends to open Canada’s borders to any fully vaccinated travellers who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements.
3) Effective August 9, 2021, international flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at the following five additional Canadian airports:
These airports, in cooperation with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency and Transport Canada, are working to implement the measures necessary to safely welcome international passengers as soon as possible after August 9, as conditions dictate.
4) All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, will still require a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result. However effective August 9, 2021, the Government of Canada is adjusting its post-arrival testing strategy for fully vaccinated travellers. Using a new border testing surveillance program at airports and land border crossings, fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 COVID-19 molecular test. There are no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travellers.
5) Finally, with the advent of increased vaccination rates in Canada, declining COVID-19 cases and reduced pressure on health care capacity, the three-night government authorized hotel stay requirement will be eliminated for all travellers arriving by air as of 12:01 A.M. EDT on August 9. Fully vaccinated travellers who meet the requirements will be exempt from quarantine; however, all travellers must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements.
1) The suspension of flights from India has been extended to August 21, 2021
You may qualify for certain exemptions to quarantine and testing requirements if you:
Those who meet the requirements may be exempt from:
NOTE: Travel restrictions on who can enter Canada remain in place.
To be considered fully vaccinated, you must:
Accepted vaccines:
Vaccines not currently accepted for fully vaccinated status in Canada:
NOTE: The list of accepted vaccines may expand in the future.
If you received your vaccines outside Canada, it’s still accepted but proof of vaccination must be uploaded digitally in ArriveCAN and must only be in French or English, or certified translation into French or English.
Fully vaccinated travellers must follow the entry requirements:
For more information please visit:
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada
UPDATE: As of March 22, 2021
Revision to definition of 'unaccompanied minor student'
While unaccompanied minor students remain exempt from the 3 night government-authorized accommodation (hotel quarantine), there has been a change to the definition of 'unaccompanied minor' student, regardless of province of point of entry or final destination, as follows:
For more information please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/awareness-resources/fully-vaccinated-travellers-covid-19.html
February 26, 2021
Exemption
We are pleased to share that 'unaccompanied minor students' have been exempted from the recently imposed (February 22, 2021) requirement for all travellers to Canada have to complete a mandatory 3 day quarantine in a government-authorized hotel while awaiting the result of the COVID test conducted upon arrival. Instead, 'unaccompanied minor students' will be able to continue to travel on to their final destination where they can fulfill the 14 day quarantine requirement under the care and support of their Canadian host family.
Accompanying Parent
As the exemption was put in place to ensure the protection of minors traveling without parents or chaperones, those who do travel with a parent are NOT exempt from the Government approved hotel quarantine requirements and will be considered “accompanied.” In such a case, everyone (minor students and accompanying parent) will be subject to the mandatory 3-day government approved hotel stay.
An immediate family member (1 parent) may still apply to accompany their child to Canada if they will be helping the minor child while attending a school from kindergarten to grade 12. However, other younger (non-school age) siblings will not be permitted as they would not meet the definition of an immediate member helping a minor child settle in Canada.
Testing
NOTE: All travellers including minor students still need to have a negative COVID-19 molecular PCR test within 72 hours of departing for Canada and to present this documentation to the airline at time of check-in.
Unaccompanied minors will either receive their first test upon arrival at the airport (at the discretion of the CBSA officer) and be provided a 2nd kit to take with them, or they will be provided with 2 test kits (at no cost) to be self-administered on Day 1 and Day 10. The test sample will then be sent to the lab by prepaid courier with the assistance of the student's host family.
Despite a negative COVID-19 test result pre-departure, at Day 1 or Day 10, all students still need to complete a full 14 day quarantine period.
From September 2020 to date, CAPS-I member schools have had the privilege of welcoming thousands of students into Canada and all of these young, international students have been well-supported and cared for throughout the quarantine period.
January 7, 2021
Effective midnight on January 7, 2021 (00:00 EST or 05:00 UCT), proof of a negative COVID-19 laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada.
Tests must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular test, such as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test. The test must be taken within 72 hours of the traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada. Other types of tests, such as antigen tests, will not be accepted.
A negative laboratory test (paper or electronic proof of result) must be presented by the traveller to the airline or private operator prior to coming to Canada. Travellers must ensure that the negative laboratory test result includes the following data elements:
Travellers are strongly encouraged to have their test performed at a reputable laboratory or testing facility (e.g., one recognized by the local government or accredited by a third party, such as a professional organization or international standards organization). Using a questionable or fraudulent document could result in the traveller being denied boarding, and subject to fines of up to $5,000 under the Aeronautics Act. This could also result in additional actions being levied against the traveller by a Public Health Quarantine officer upon arrival in Canada.
Information is available on Travel.gc.ca about reputable local COVID-19 testing facilities for certain destinations.
Further details at: https://tc.canada.ca/en/initiatives/covid-19-measures-updates-guidance-issued-transport-canada/covid-19-pre-departure-testing-transport-canada-interim-order
January 1, 2021
The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, is requiring that, effective January 7, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. EST, all air passengers five years of age or older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling from another country to Canada. This implementation date provides all airlines, both foreign and domestic, adequate time to comply with the new requirements.
Documentation of a negative laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to the traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada.
Anyone who receives a negative test result and is authorized to enter Canada must still complete the full, mandatory 14-day quarantine.
The Government of Canada will be further increasing surveillance efforts to ensure travellers entering Canada complete the applicable mandatory 14-day quarantine period under the Quarantine Act.
As has been the case for months, all travellers will have their quarantine plans reviewed by a government official and, if not suitable, will be required to quarantine in a federal quarantine facility. Travellers to Canada must use the ArriveCAN App or website and provide accurate contact information and their mandatory 14-day quarantine plan on or before entry.
November 17, 2020
As of today, the K-12 sectors of all provinces except Newfoundland are noted on IRCC's website as 'approved to re-open to international students.' However, public school authorities in the provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have decided that they will not be enrolling international students during the 2020-2021 school year.
In addition, the K-12 Ministries of Education in the provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan are still reviewing/approving 'readiness plans' and have advised that the K-12 school boards/divisions/schools within their provinces can only welcome international students once their plans are approved. Once approved, the school boards/divisions/schools will be listed on their respective Ministry lists (see below):
The following revised federal arrival requirements come into effect on November 21st:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/welcoming_international_students.html
November 4, 2020
https://www.canada.ca/en/
A couple of key excerpts are included below:
As of November 21, 2020, if you're flying to Canada as your final destination, you must use ArriveCAN to submit your:
You must:
Requirements for all travellers after they've entered Canada:
As of November 21, 2020, all travellers, whether they travel by air, land or sea, must provide information after their entry into Canada.
You must use ArriveCAN or call 1-833-641-0343 to:
November 3, 2020
IRCC updated their list of DLIs to include the K-12 sectors of Alberta and Saskatchewan as they are now also 'approved to reopen to international students.'
October 21, 2020
October 2, 2020
Earlier today, Friday, October 2nd, the Government of Canada announced that although border restrictions remain in place, processes are being introduced to support the entry of international students
The 'list' as to which educational institutions' readiness plans have been identified/approved by their respective provincial governments has not yet been made public (this may take a week or two and will be subject to updates.) CAPS-I will continue advocacy efforts in hopes of ensuring all members are on the list.
Please be assured, that the health and wellness of international students currently enrolled in Canadian public schools continues to be a top priority for all of our members and that International Student Program staff remain available to provide the necessary support.
As the global COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, CAPS-I will continue to monitor the situation and provide the most up-to-date information available to support our members, partners, students and families around the globe.
Students travelling to Canada will all need to comply with the 14 day quarantine period upon arrival. Regular checks to ensure compliance will be done and students must have a local phone number in order to be accessible to officials conducting such checks. Students may wish to pre-arrange for Canadian phone service through a provider such as PhoneBox
For more information, consider the following resources:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus.html
Government of Canada – Travel Advisory: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
Special Measures to Help Temporary & Permanent Residents & Applicants Affected by COVID-19 https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-special-measures.html
WHO’s Mental Health Considerations: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2
| Public Health Authorities | ||
| Provinces and Territories | Telephone number | Website |
| British Columbia | 811 | www.bccdc.ca/covid19 |
| Alberta | 811 | www.myhealth.alberta.ca |
| Saskatchewan | 811 | www.saskhealthauthority.ca |
| Manitoba | 1-888-315-9257 | www.manitoba.ca/covid19 |
| Ontario | 1-866-797-0000 | www.publichealthontario.ca |
| Quebec | 1-877-644-4545 | www.quebec.ca/coronavirus |
| New Brunswick | 811 | www.gnb.ca/publichealth |
| Nova Scotia | 811 | www.nshealth.ca/public-health |
| Prince Edward Island | 811 | www.princeedwardisland.ca/covid19 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 811 or 1-888-709-2929 | www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19 |
For more information:
1-833-784-4397
canada.ca/coronavirus
