Update Oct. 21, 2021

COVID-19 – Travel advice

Community transmission of COVID-19 continues in many countries.

You should be fully vaccinated by completing a COVID-19 vaccine series in Canada or abroad at least 14 days before travelling. Be aware that although you are better protected against serious illness if you are vaccinated, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19.

If you’re unvaccinated, you remain at increased risk of being infected with and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 when travelling internationally. You should continue avoiding non-essential travel to all destinations.

Regardless of your vaccination status:

  • stay informed of COVID-19 activity at your destination, which can vary significantly and change quickly from one country to another and within regions of the country
  • use personal protective measures (like wearing a mask, washing hands and maintaining physical distancing where possible)
  • follow any additional local public health measures while travelling

Return or travel to Canada

Exemptions for fully vaccinated travellers

If you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller you are:

Required to show a pre-entry molecular test
Required to use ArriveCAN
Required to take an arrival test if selected
Exempt from quarantine
Exempt from Day-8 testing

All travellers are eligible to enter Canada if they qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller regardless of citizenship. Canadians are always eligible to enter Canada but must complete testing requirements and mandatory quarantine if they do not qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.

A pre-entry molecular test is required for all travellers. A rapid antigen test will not be accepted.

Accepted types of molecular tests

  • PCR – Polymerase chain reaction
  • Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
  • Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)

These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.