The right to enter Canada: current measures at the border

Travel restrictions have become an integral part of modern life. Travellers learn to understand the plethora of rules for crossing borders and enjoy quarantine.

Now they can come into the country:

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people with refugee status;
• fully vaccinated foreign nationals.

Those who do not meet the criteria for full vaccination can only cross into Canada under certain circumstances, such as:

• availability of an immigration, work or student visa;
• a visit to relatives who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

What are the criteria for a fully vaccinated traveler?

1. A complete series of vaccinations for COVID-19. The following vaccines are recognized in Canada:

• Pfizer-BioNTech;
• Moderna;
• AstraZeneca / COVISHIELD;
• Janssen / Johnson & Johnson;
• Sinopharm / CoronaVac;
• Sinovac;
• Bharat Biotech / COVAXIN.

2. The last dose was given at least 14 days before the day of entry into Canada.

3. Uploaded proof of vaccination in English or French to ArriveCAN.

4. no signs or symptoms of coronavirus.

5. Fulfilment of the remaining travel criteria (see below).

Topical tips for travellers to Canada.

So, if you are completely vaccinated and you are going to come to Canada:

Perform a preliminary PCR test. Please note, rapid antigen tests are not accepted! Testing is available for all travellers over 5 years of age.

Suitable tests are as follows

• PCR;
• nucleic acid test (NAT) or nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT);
• isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP).

The full list is at official website.

Test results must be uploaded to the ArriveCAN application within 72 hours prior to arrival in Canada. In addition, travelers must be retested upon arrival.

List of documents at the border:

• an ArriveCAN receipt with the letter I or V next to the vaccinated traveler's name;
• proof of vaccination;
• pre-test results;
• other travel documents.

Prepare a screenshot or paper version of the documents in case there is no internet!

Travelling with children

Unvaccinated children from 5 to 12 years of age need only be tested and do not need quarantine if all precautions are followed.

Unvaccinated teens ages 12 to 17 need both testing and a 14-day quarantine.

If you are traveling with those who are not medically vaccinated, you need to fill out a special application on ArriveCAN and then fill out daily quarantine reports for unvaccinated travelers.

If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and you have a permit to enter Canada, you must comply with all conditions related to testing before entering the country, upon arrival and on day 8 after arrival, and adhere to quarantine.

What else is important to know

• As of November 30, 2021, Canadian citizens and residents may travel within the country and abroad only with full vaccination;
• As of January 15, 2022, all travelers who are allowed to enter the country will be required to show a full vaccination certificate.

As you can see, even in a pandemic, travel and immigration is possible. So, if you want to move to Canada, do not waste your time and sign up for immigration consultation.