Can Fully Vaccinated Travellers Enter Canada?
As of September 7th, Canada is allowing international travellers based on the condition that they can provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. With a vaccine passport, international travellers are part of the border reopening strategy that the Canadian government has allowed.
If you’re planning on visiting Canada anytime soon, then make sure that you’re part of the eligible travellers and get your COVID-19 vaccine listed in this guide to enter the country easily.
Here is all the information you need to enter Canada as a fully vaccinated international traveller.
Am I Allowed to Travel to Canada if Not Vaccinated?
Canada has now reopened to travellers from all around the world on the condition that they are fully vaccinated and showing no symptoms. However, can individuals that aren’t or refuse to get vaccinated enter the country?
Simply said, no, arrivals are not allowed into Canada if you’re not vaccinated. The only exceptions to the rule are international students, temporary workers, and diplomats.
However, while these 3 groups of people are eligible to enter the country vaccine-free, they still need to undergo a 14-day quarantine before being able to travel around.
Do I Need to Quarantine When Traveling to Canada?
As mentioned previously, quarantine is no longer mandatory for fully vaccinated travellers. But, on the other hand, quarantine is still compulsory for the ones that didn’t get vaccinated. Also, it’s the same case for the fully vaccinated individuals that enter Canada less than full 14 days after the last COVID-19 vaccine jab.
For example, if you get your last COVID-19 vaccine shot on August 1st, you are allowed to enter Canada on August 16th.
Lastly, even when fully vaccinated, you will be required to quarantine if you are symptomatic or if you don’t meet the requirements on the traveller exemption plan.
What Vaccines Were Approved in Canada?
The Canadian government approved 4 COVID-19 vaccines. The other existing ones aren’t currently approved in the country. As it stands, the eligible vaccines to enter Canada are Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Moderna, and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccines currently not approved are:
- Sinovac
- Cansino
- Gamalaya
- Sinopharm
- Vector Institute
- Bharat Biotech
If you are an international student, a temporary worker, or a diplomat that was not fully vaccinated before entering Canada, you can still get your jab after quarantine.
Of course, getting vaccinated in Canada is possible and free, and you simply need to book your appointment online.
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are available for all individuals aged 12 or more. On the other hand, all citizens aged 18 and more are eligible for the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines.
What to do at the Airport When Arriving?
There are a few documents to prepare ahead of time for your arrival at the airport. Once you land at one of the eligible Canadian airports, you will need to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19.
In addition, all travellers aged 5 or more and no matter their citizenship and vaccination status must provide a positive test result of COVID-19 when entering the country.
It’s important to note that the 9 eligible Canadian airports to welcome international travellers as of September 7th are the following:
- Calgary International Airport
- Edmonton International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
- Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
Other than that, no matter your nationality or vaccination status, you will need to show your pre-entry molecular test results and use ArriveCAN.
Last but not least, international arrivals from India are still not allowed until, at least, September 21st. Arrivals from Morocco are also not permitted until September 29th at least.
How to Use ArriveCAN?
All international travellers entering Canada by land, marine vessel, or flying must be using ArriveCAN. When accessing ArriveCAN, you will have to submit your information 72 hours before arriving in Canada.
International travellers failing to submit their information on ArriveCAN might be denied boarding when entering by air and when crossing the border.
On the other hand, Canadian citizens and permanent residents failing to submit their information on ArriveCAN might be not eligible for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption and therefore, may need to quarantine. Also, they may face fines or, in the worst cases, enforcement action.
Who is Eligible to Enter Canada?
All international travellers are now permitted into Canada no matter their nationality and as far as they are fully vaccinated or willing to undergo quarantine.
In fact, the ones that aren’t fully vaccinated will need to spend 14 days in quarantine and show proof of it at the airport upon arrival.
Can I travel Within Canada?
Once you finished your 14-day quarantine or are successfully in Canada as a fully vaccinated traveller, yes, it is possible to travel within Canada.
That being said, there are mandatory health requirements and pre-boarding checking for all travellers. Firstly, you will be asked health check questions to ensure that you are not a risk as a flight passenger.
Also, wearing a mask on the flight is mandatory whether you fly to Canada or within the country. The only exception to this rule is children under 2 years of age, individuals not able to remove their masks without assistance, and the ones with a medical certificate certifying that they are not able to wear a face mask.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has been helpful to you in understanding the process of entering Canada as a fully vaccinated traveller.
Some requirements may be unclear at first depending on your country of origin and the types of vaccines on the market. However, this was everything you had to know about Canada reopening its borders to vaccinated people.
In conclusion, you will not be required to quarantine if you’re fully vaccinated with one of the 4 approved vaccines. If unvaccinated, international students, diplomats, and temporary workers will need to quarantine for 14 days upon the arrival.
