Fully vaccinated foreign nationals may be allowed to enter Canada for discretionary travel (non-essential travel) on specific dates:

• August 9, 2021: American citizens and permanent residents of the United States, who currently reside in and will be travelling from the U.S., and who qualify as fully vaccinated
• September 7, 2021 (intended start date): All other foreign nationals who qualify as fully vaccinated

Warning: Until then, foreign nationals (including U.S. citizens) coming to Canada for non-essential reasons, such as recreation, site seeing and visiting, will be turned away at the border.

The 3-night hotel stopover requirement ends for all travellers scheduled to arrive by air after 12:01 A.M. EDT on August 9.

All eligible vaccinated traveller

If you qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption you are exempt from:

• quarantine
• hotel stopover (for air travellers): requirement ends
• day-8 testing requirement

Children or dependents who are not fully vaccinated:

Children under the age of 18, or dependent adults, who are not fully vaccinated and who are accompanied by travellers who qualify for the fully vaccinated exemption

To qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, you must: 

• be eligible to enter Canada on the specific date you enter
• have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of accepted vaccine:

Latest update: Ontario accept all recommended does of a COVID-19 vaccines that has been listed for emergency use by WHO. BC(British Columbia) also accept the three Chinese vaccines: Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Cansino/Covidecia.

• have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day you enter Canada
  • Example: if your last dose was anytime on Thursday July 1st, then Friday July 16th would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition
• upload your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN.
  • Subject to limited exceptions, all travellers must use ArriveCAN (app or web portal) to submit their travel information.
• meet all other entry requirements (for example, pre-entry test)

Certified translations 

If you received your vaccines outside Canada, it’s still accepted but proof of vaccination must be uploaded digitally in ArriveCAN and must only be in French or English, or certified translation into French or English.

Recovered from COVID-19 with one dose

If you have recovered from COVID-19, you still need a full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or combination of accepted vaccines. If you’ve only had one dose of an accepted vaccine other than Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), you don’t qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption.

No exceptions for partially-vaccinated travellers

At this time, there are no exemptions from testing, hotel stopover or quarantine for travellers who haven’t received the full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada.

Fully vaccinated traveller exemption checklist of requirements

Use the same email address for all of your entry requirements, where applicable (that is, when registering for COVID-19 testing upon arrival and creating your ArriveCAN account).

Before you Travel

1. Pre-entry test result: get your pre-entry COVID-19 test
   1. If you’re flying to Canada, you must take a test within 72 hoursof the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada.
   2. If you have a connecting flight:
      1. the test must be conducted within 72 hoursof the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada
      2. you may need to schedule the test in your transit city
   3. If you’re driving, you must take a test in the United States within 72 hoursof your planned entry into Canada.
   4. All travellers must:
      • provide one of the accepted types of tests, not an antigen test
      • keep proof of your test results for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada

2. Quarantine plan: have a quarantine plan in case you don’t receive the exemption
   • You must be prepared to quarantine for 14 days, in case you:
     1. are symptomatic
     2. don’t meet the requirements
   • A suitable quarantine plan must be entered into ArriveCAN in case you don’t qualify for the exemption. You may be asked to explain your quarantine plan at the border.

3. Proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
   • You must use ArriveCAN to enter your proof of vaccination, quarantine and travel information. Providing proof of your vaccination in ArriveCAN, up to 72 hours before your travel

Arriving in Canada

4. What to have ready at the border 
   1. ArriveCAN receipt
   2. proof of vaccination
   3. pre-entry test results
   4. other travel documents

After arriving

5. Arrival testing: you can register in advance for your arrival test
   • When you enter Canada, you’ll be instructed to either take an arrival test at the border, or receive a home test kit.

International student (who is not eligible for a fully vaccinated traveller exemption)

A student who:

• have not received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine—or combination of vaccines at least 14 days prior to entering Canada.
• have received a different vaccine which not accepted by the Government of Canada.

Is not eligible for a fully vaccinated traveller exemption.

The 3-night hotel stopover requirement ends for all travellers scheduled to arrive by air after 12:01 A.M. EDT on August 9, 2021.

Flying checklist of requirements (not eligible for fully vaccinated traveller exemption)

Use the same email address for all of your entry requirements, where applicable (that is, when registering for COVID-19 testing upon arrival and creating your ArriveCAN account).

Before you Travel

1.  Find out if you can enter Canada

• To be able to enter Canada as an international student, you need to:
  • Have a valid study permit or letter of introduction that shows you have been approved for a study permit
  • Be attending a designated learning institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory
  • You must be studying at one of the approved DLIs included below to be able to travel to Canada. 
  • Have valid School acceptance letter or proof of enrollment and proof of course selection
  • Make sure medical exam has not expired: 
  • Your medical exam results are good for 12 months only. 

2. Assess your quarantine plan before you travel
   • An international student must have a 14-day quarantine plan
   • Students should be in contact with their designated learning institution for assistance in developing quarantine plans in advance of their arrival to Canada.
   • Information about the quarantine plan must be submitted in ArriveCAN prior to travel to Canada.

3. Get your pre-entry COVID-19 test
   • If you’re flying to Canada, you must take a test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada. 
   • If you have a connecting flight: 
     • the test must be conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada 
     • you may need to schedule the test in your transit city
   • All travellers must:
     • provide one of the accepted types of tests, not an antigen test
     • keep proof of your test results for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada

4.  Use ArriveCAN to submit your travel and quarantine plans

Arriving in Canada

5. Have the following items with you for assessment by a government official at the border:

• ArriveCAN receipt
• If you have a connecting flight: 
• pre-entry test results
• quarantine plans 
• other travel documents

6. Take a test on arrival 

7. Arriving August 9 or later: Mandatory 3-night hotel stopover no longer required

After arriving

8. Mandatory quarantine: If you can enter Canada and you have no symptoms, you must quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.
   • Your quarantine period begins on the day that you arrive in Canada. 
   • On day 8 of your quarantine, you will take another test.

Appendix I: Mandatory quarantine requirements for travellers without COVID-19 symptoms arriving in Canada by air.

You must: 

Public health measures to follow while in transit to your suitable place of quarantine

• You can use public transportation (e.g. aircraft, bus, train, subway, taxi or ride-sharing service) to get to your place of quarantine, however practice physical distancing of at least 2 metres whenever possible. 
•  Wear a well-constructed, well-fitting mask while in transit, unless you are alone in a private vehicle or travelling only with the same people you entered Canada with.
• Avoid contact with others and sanitize your hands frequently.
• If driving, avoid stops, and remain in the vehicle as much as possible: pay at the pump for gas and use drive through if you need to stop for food.

Actions in quarantine

Public health authorities

Provinces and Territories	Telephone number	Website
British Columbia	811	www.bccdc.ca/covid19
Alberta	811	www.myhealth.alberta.ca
Saskatchewan	811	www.saskhealthauthority.ca
Manitoba	1-866-626-4862	https://manitoba.ca/covid19/
Ontario	1-866-797-0000	www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
Quebec	1-877-644-4545	www.quebec.ca/en/coronavirus
New Brunswick	811	www.gnb.ca/publichealth
Nova Scotia	811	www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
Prince Edward Island	811	www.princeedwardisland.ca/covid19
Newfoundland and Labrador	811 or 1-888-709-2929	www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19
Nunavut	1-867-975-5772	www.gov.nu.ca/health
Northwest Territories	811	www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19
Yukon	811	www.yukon.ca/covid-19

Appendix II – Bonus: COVID-19 readiness plan information and requirements of some university

All information is taken from the website of each university, more details or updates can be obtained on the university’s website. We have only listed some universities, if your university is not among those we have listed, you can go directly to your university’s website to find the information.

University of British Columbia  

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) and UBC’s response: https://covid19.ubc.ca

Health guidance and Vaccines

• Will international students be able to get vaccinated in Canada?
  • Yes, international students who haven’t been vaccinated upon arrival will also have access to the BC immunization program.

• Are vaccines mandatory for students, faculty or staff to be on campus?
  • No. Vaccinations are being managed by the provincial health authorities and they are accelerating availability of vaccination appointments for both first and second doses.
  • There are no vaccines in Canada that are mandatory. While we strongly encourage members of the community to get the vaccine, in light of these considerations, UBC will not be making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for students, faculty or staff, nor will UBC ask members of the campus community to disclose their vaccination status.  We encourage all our UBC community to register for a vaccination. You can learn more at https://immunizebc.ca.

• What is UBC’s policy on non-medical masks?
  • UBC Vancouver: Students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to follow UBC’s COVID-19 Campus Rules when on our campuses. These rules include the recommendation to wear non-medical masks in public indoor settings. For more information on the use of non-medical masks, you can also visit: https://srs.ubc.ca/campusrules.
  • UBC Okanagan: Effective July 29, 2021, all students, faculty, staff and visitors to UBC’s Okanagan campus are required to wear a mask while in any university indoor common spaces. More information is available at: https://ok.ubc.ca/covid19/aug-6-2021-covid-19-restrictions-expanded-in-central-okanagan/.

Campus Return Plan

• UBC’s approach to COVID-19 safety planning
  • UBC has a COVID-19 Safety Planning Framework that aligns with the BC Restart plan and new COVID-19 Return-to-Campus Guidelines. The new COVID-19 Safety Plans and the COVID-19 Campus Rules are framed around Step 3 of the BC Restart plan. The earliest date that the Public Health Officer will move to Step 3 is July 1, 2021 and will extend until the start of Step 4 which is anticipated to begin September 7, 2021 at the earliest.

• COVID-19 safety planning information and resources
  • For further details please visit the site according to your campus: 
    • UBC Vancouver: https://srs.ubc.ca/covid-19/
    • UBC Okanagan: https://ok.ubc.ca/covid19/health-safety/

University of Victoria 

• Return to campus info for students: https://www.uvic.ca/students/return-to-campus/
• COVID-19-international students: https://www.uvic.ca/international/travel-safety/covid19/index.php

Vaccine

The vaccine is not mandatory in order to study, work, visit or live on campus. However, we encourage you to get vaccinated so you can help to keep yourself and our campus community safe.

• Already vaccinated outside of BC?
  • If you received your COVID-19 vaccine in another province or country, it’s a good idea to submit your vaccination record. This is particularly important for international students as additional vaccination may be recommended.

Travel Considerations and Self-Isolation

Students will need to provide their plan to the University of Victoria, and confirm compliance with your plan through a series of check-ins. ISS team members are here to support you throughout your time in self-isolation. 

To support students who are self-isolating, the University of Victoria’s Self-isolation Program includes:

• Daily online check-in forms designed to give students the opportunity to ask questions and have a record of their compliance with the self-isolation requirements
• A website that includes travel guidance, immigration and settlement information
• A list of hotel suggestions for the 14-day self-isolation
• Guidelines for obtaining groceries, necessities and essential services
• Online information sessions and virtual activities
• Virtual social events and activities designed to help students connect with their peers and build community
• Information about identifying COVID-19 symptoms and accessing medical services
• Mental health and wellness support information

Camosun College

• COVID-19 information: https://camosun.ca/about/covid-19-updates

Vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination information for students: https://camosun.ca/news/covid-19-vaccination-information-students

Anyone who received their COVID-19 vaccines in another province or country should submit their vaccination record as soon as possible. This is particularly important for international students as additional vaccination may be recommended.

• Are COVID-19 vaccines mandatory and where can I find more information?
  • No vaccines are mandatory in Canada. Vaccination status is a person’s sensitive personal medical information.

Quarantine Plan

Camosun international students travelling to Canada must submit the following documents for approval:

• Complete and submit the Government of Canada Arrive Can application
• Complete a BC Self-Isolation Plan
• Submit your BC Self-Isolation Plan, accommodation information, medical insurance information and flight confirmation to Camosun International

• COVID-19 Safety Plan

The COVID-19 Safety Plan applies to Camosun College employees and students. https://legacy.camosun.ca/covid19/documents/camosun-covid-safety-plan.pdf

University of Alberta 

• COVID-19 information: https://www.ualberta.ca/covid-19/index.html

Vaccinations

COVID-19 Vaccines and U of A: https://www.ualberta.ca/the-quad/2021/03/covid-19-vaccines-and-u-of-a.html

• Will COVID-19 vaccines be mandatory for students or employees?
  • No. At this point, employees, students, contractors and visitors do not need to provide proof of immunization to work or study at the U of A. That said, the U of A supports vaccination efforts and strongly encourages all U of A community members to get vaccinated as soon as they can.

• What if I’m fully or partially vaccinated with a vaccine not approved by Health Canada?
  • International students are encouraged to explore vaccine options with the health authority in their home country to confirm if their vaccine is Health Canada-approved. Health Canada and Alberta Health Services (AHS) advise that international students and visitors who have partially or fully completed their COVID-19 vaccination series with a vaccine that has not been approved for use in Canada (e.g. China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm, Russia’s Sputnik V and India’s Covaxin) should get vaccinated with vaccines approved by Health Canada (e.g. currently Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen-Johnson & Johnson).

Quarantine and Isolation Information

U of A international: https://www.ualberta.ca/international/international-student-services/index.html

All students travelling to Canada must register in the Off-Campus Isolation and Travel Registry (OCITR) and email submit a quarantine plan (register a minimum of one week before your travel).

If you only email your quarantine plan, it will not be accepted. You must register for the OCITR.Once registration in the OCITR is confirmed and the quarantine plan is approved, eligible students will be given access to the International Quarantine Grant Application.

All UAlberta students, especially new students, are strongly recommended to book their quarantine accommodation through UAlberta Residence Services’ on-campus Isolation Accommodation Program. 

University of Toronto 

• COVID-19 Information: https://www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/covid-19/

Vaccinations

Vaccines: https://www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/covid-19/#vaccines

The University of Toronto will require that all those intending to be present on our campuses be vaccinated against COVID-19, in full accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. All members of the U of T community are requiredto declare their vaccination status on UCheck. 

• Are vaccinations mandatory for students living in residence? 
  • Yes. As part of our commitment to health and safety, the University and its federated colleges require students living in residence during the 2021-22 academic year to be vaccinated for COVID-19. All University of Toronto student residences, including those operated by federated colleges, require that students receive at least their first dose before moving into residence.
  • Any students who are unable to get vaccinated before moving into residence will have 14 days following their move-in date to get vaccinated. Students may be subject to additional public health restrictions if they are not fully vaccinated.
  • Students who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or on grounds protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code may request an exemption through StarRez as of August 5.
• Will only certain types of vaccines be accepted? 
  • U of T recognizes all vaccines approved by either Health Canada or by the World Health Organization. All students living in residence will be required to confirm they are vaccinated regardless of which approved vaccine they receive.
  • U of T recommends obtaining a Health Canada approved vaccine if possible.  If this is not available, U of T recommends obtaining the first WHO-approved vaccine available to you and, if possible, select the vaccine that will allow you to be fully vaccinated before coming to Canada. 
• Guidance for Individuals Vaccinated outside of Canada: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/vaccine/COVID-19_guidance_for_individuals_vaccinated_outside_of_ontario.pdf

Quarantine

Quarantine guide: https://www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/covid-19/quarantineguide/

The University of Toronto offers a choice of three quarantine accommodation programs. The “Backup Program” for students eligible for a quarantine exemption as per the Government of Canada, “At-Home” program for students who have their own suitable location in which to quarantine and the “Full program”.

• Students in the Full program will receive a pre-departure email before the quarantine ends. Please read it carefully and make plans for your departure.
  • Students in the At Home program will need to complete their final wellness check-in with the University in order to leave their quarantine space.
  • Transportation to your Permanent Address/Residence
    • You are responsible for finding your own transportation to your new/permanent address and/or University residence.
    • If the quarantine period ends before your residence or off-campus housing move-in date, you may be able to pay a fee to remain at the quarantine location until you are able to move into residence (note that a room change may be required).  As per Ontario Public Health requirements, you must receive a negative test COVID-19 test result prior to coming on campus. 

McGill University 

• COVID-19 Information: https://www.mcgill.ca/coronavirus/

Vaccination and other information

• Will McGill make vaccination mandatory for staff and students coming to the University?
  • No. At this point in time, our view is that we cannot legally require this in the Quebec context, unless the Government mandates vaccination. People living in Quebec are eager to get vaccinated voluntarily and Quebec is exceeding its vaccination targets. Therefore we will reach a high level of protection with a voluntary vaccination campaign.

• Will masks be required at McGill?
  • Currently, all individuals on our campuses are required to wear a procedural mask when entering or circulating in indoor shared spaces. There are a few exceptions allowing for the safe removal of masks while indoors on campus. 

Quarantine

Self-Quarantine Resources: https://www.mcgill.ca/studentservices/quarantine

• Do I have to self-quarantine?
  • Students arriving from within Canada
    • There are no isolation measures for people arriving from other Canadian provinces, so you do not need to self-isolate.
  • Students arriving from outside of Canada
    • Whether you’re a Canadian or international student travelling from abroad, you must quarantine for 14 days, regardless of the method of travel. However, fully vaccinated travellers are exempted from this quarantine period.
  • Students living in Residences
    • Student Housing and Hospitality Services has a limited number of rooms available for self-isolation. Room booking information will be coming soon.
  • Students living off-campus
    • If you cannot self-isolate in your apartment, there are several hotels providing accommodations for quarantine and offering a special rate to McGill students. See Question 4 in our Self-Quarantine FAQsbelow for more information.