September 20, 2021

Canada’s Travel Restrictions Relaxed as of 7 September 2021

Posted by Amanda D'Angelo - Bellissimo Law Group PC

Beginning at 12:01 am EDT on September 7, 2021, fully vaccinated foreign nationals are eligible to enter Canada for non-essential reasons, such as tourism. However, according to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), in order to enter Canada these individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. be fully vaccinated: a traveller must have received, and show proof of, the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada;
  2. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson);
  3. have a valid pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test result taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or their arrival at the land border crossing, or a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days before departure to Canada.  Antigen tests, often called “rapid tests,” are not accepted
  4. be asymptomatic;
  5. submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN (App or website), including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan;
  6. be admissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and
  7. take a test on arrival, if selected.

Prior to this, foreign nationals looking to travel for non-essential reasons were not allowed to enter Canada. Should Canadians decide to travel internationally, individuals can look up their destination through the Government of Canada website to review travel advisories and plan accordingly. 

For full details on Canada’s reopening to international travellers, please click here.