What are Canada’s New Travel Rules?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many travel requirements have been lifted and returned to regular operations, but this varies from country to country. Whether you are traveling from the United States to enter Canada or from another country to enter Canada, Canadian travel rules still need to be followed. Before heading to the international airport, read below for up-to-date information as of January 5, 2023.

Travellers Entering Canada

For travelers entering Canada, specific rules need to be followed. Here are the current travel requirements for travelers attempting to enter Canada:

• A COVID-19 vaccination is not required (unless arriving from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, or Macao*).
• COVID-19 testing before flying is not required
• COVID-19 on-arrival testing is not required
• Quarantining after arriving in Canada is not required
• Using ArriveCAN (Canada’s digital flying platform) is not required 
• Cruise passengers do not have to complete pre-boarding tests
• Health checks before boarding planes/trains are not required
• Wearing masks on planes/trains is not required (it is strongly recommended to wear high-quality masks still, though)
• Valid travel documents are required per usual

These travel rules and restrictions can change at any time, so make sure to check the current travel rules list for additional information. There is also information on the website about whether or not you need a valid visa to enter Canada. 

*This restriction is as of 1/5/2023 and can change at any time.

Travel Outside of Canada

Ensure you have a copy of your most recent COVID-19 proof of vaccination to show whether you are fully vaccinated. While the country you are flying into may not need to see your COVID-19 proof of vaccination, some countries may require it or have testing requirements. For example, some countries may require a minimum number of COVID-19 doses for entry, or they may only accept certain brands of vaccines. To confirm what you must bring before air travel, check the country of your destination’s travel requirements. In addition, each country has its own border measures established by its public health agency.

Related:

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• Flying With a Newborn: 10 Ways to Make it Easier

Travel Restrictions for Foreign Nationals

There are travel measures in place for foreign nationals that vary whether travel is from the United States or another country. All asymptomatic travelers must quarantine themselves regardless of where they are flying from unless they have been fully vaccinated (or are exempt from the quarantine requirements) and their arrival test is negative. Those traveling from the United States must meet the following criteria before they enter Canada:

• Be an exempt, fully vaccinated traveler
• Be covered by exemptions in the Orders

If travel is from a country other than the United States, the following Canada travel rules must be met:

• Be an exempt, fully vaccinated traveler
• Be covered by exemptions in the Orders (Travel restriction exemptions should be consulted)

The Canada Advance CBSA Declaration

Those planning to purchase a ticket for international travel to Canada must make sure to complete The Canada Advance CBSA Declaration before arriving. This is a mandatory Canada travel rule that international travelers need to know about. The declaration form is simply a customs and immigration declaration that must be submitted to the Canada Border Services Agency upon arriving in Canada. Fortunately, international travelers can complete the form easily on the Canada CBSA website (or on the app, as seen in the photo above) before they head to the airport. This speeds up the arrival process in Canada tremendously!

If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms

Of course, there is always the chance you will start to come down with COVID-19 symptoms. If this ever happens, holding off on travel and waiting until you feel better before rescheduling your trip is highly recommended. If you start feeling ill during travel, let a flight attendant or staff member know immediately. You may also need to meet with a Quarantine Officer or Border Services Officer for a health assessment per Canada travel rules. When you are not feeling well, avoiding public transportation is recommended until you are better again. You should also check local COVID-19 restrictions for the specific area you have arrived in.

Purchasing Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, you never know if sickness will fall upon you or your travel partner before your big trip. You can follow the Canadian travel rules perfectly, but you can’t control whether you will ultimately get to go on your trip or not. However, you can help prevent the loss of money you put into travel tickets and costs. Purchasing travel insurance ahead of time can cover unexpected issues like COVID-19 and medical and evacuation expenses. Plenty of insurance companies offer a wide range of coverage depending on what you are looking for.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories

Canada travel rules and advisory list help you decide whether to travel now or wait until a better time. This interactive advisory chart allows travelers to select their preferred destination to see the current travel risk levels. This accounts for natural disasters, safety, and more, in addition to health risk levels. Consulting this travel advisory list before making travel plans is highly recommended.

In conclusion, Canada travel rules for travellers flying into Canada have mostly become more relaxed since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. COVID-19 testing and masks are (for now) a thing of the past for most international travelers heading to the Canadian border. The current travel restrictions could always change, so it is best to check Canada’s travel website to stay current. If you have any questions or concerns that are unanswered on the website, you can always contact the Public Health Agency of Canada if needed.