Canada U.S. Border Opening FAQs

To be eligible to enter Canada, American citizens and permanent residents must be fully vaccinated and have received the full series of a vaccine - or combination of vaccines - accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada.

Currently, the accepted vaccines are those manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).  Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country.

Have a paper or digital copy of your vaccination documentation along with the original to show a government official on request.

Please Note - A person who submits false information on vaccination status could be liable to a fine of up to $750,000 or six months imprisonment or both, under the Quarantine Act, or prosecution under the Criminal Code for forgery.

You must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test completed within 72 hours of arriving in Canada.  Refer to the Government of Canada’s website above for the types of accepted tests.

You must present an accepted test result (paper or electronic proof) which must include:

• Traveller name and date of birth
• Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
• The date on which the test was conducted
• The type of test conducted
• The test result

At this time, travellers should have their test performed at a reputable laboratory or testing facility (i.e., one recognized by the local government or accredited by a third party, such as a professional organization or international standards organization).

ArriveCAN is free and secure and is the official Government of Canada platform to provide mandatory travel information when entering Canada. It is available to download as a mobile app or you can create an account and sign in online.

You’ll need to submit your information within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.

Once you submit your information through ArriveCAN a receipt will be displayed and emailed to you.  You can show the receipt to a Canadian border services officer when you enter the country.

There will be no quarantine requirement when you enter Canada.  However, just in case something unforeseen happens, have a back-up 14 day quarantine plan.  This information is requested when you submit your ArriveCAN information

You do not need to be tested upon arrival, but there will be random testing program in place.  Therefore, if you are randomly selected you will be subject to a government COVID-19 test conducted at the border.

Before you leave to travel to Canada and when you arrive at the border, make sure you have no COVID-19 symptoms.  Some of the more commonly reported symptoms include:

• new or worsening cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• temperature equal to or over 38°C
• feeling feverish
• chills
• fatigue or weakness
• muscle or body aches
• new loss of smell or taste
• headache
• gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting)
• feeling very unwell

The business must demonstrate they experienced a revenue decline of at least 20 per cent when comparing monthly revenue in April 2019 and April 2020. This time period was selected because it reflects the impact of the public health measures in spring 2020, and as such provides a representation of the possible impact of these latest measures on small businesses.

For more information click here.

Upon entry into Canada, be prepared to follow some public health measures such as:

• wearing a mask when in public
• monitoring yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
• keeping a list of close contacts and locations visited for 14 days after you enter Canada

Entry will allowed to unvaccinated children under 12 years of age, or unvaccinated dependent children (due to a mental or physical condition), who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently residing in the U.S. and who are accompanying a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor who either has a right to enter Canada (e.g. Canadian citizens and permanent residents), is a U.S. citizen and permanent resident currently residing in the U.S, or is otherwise is permitted entry under the US Prohibition on Entry Order made under the Quarantine Act.

These children must follow strict public health measures. This means they can move around with their parents, but must avoid group settings - such as camps or daycares - during the first 14 days after their arrival.

Unvaccinated children will remain subject to the Day 1 and Day 8 testing requirements.

They must also meet all other required criteria, including submitting information electronically through ArriveCAN and all testing requirements.

More details will be provided by the Government of Canada in the coming days.