Last Updated on February 23, 2023
This article was published on 13 June 2022 and was updated on 27 June 2022, 30 June 2022 and 15 July 2022 to reflect new information.
15 July 2022 Update: The government of Canada will resume mandatory random COVID-19 testing on 19 July 2022 for travelers who qualify as fully vaccinated and who arrive in Canada via one of Canada’s four major airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal or Toronto. For additional information on who qualifies as a fully vaccinated traveler, check here.
All COVID-19-related testing will be performed outside of these airports, either via an in-person appointment made with a testing provider, pharmacies or through a virtual self-swab test.
Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. These travelers will also be required to undergo COVID-19 testing on day one and day eight of the quarantine period.
Fully vaccinated travelers who have been selected for randomized testing and all unvaccinated travelers will receive an email notification within 15 minutes of completing their customs declaration. The email will provide information on arranging for COVID-19 testing at a testing provider location outside of the airport.
According to the Canadian government, moving COVID-19 testing sites out of airports will reduce airport delays and wait times for travelers.
This article was published on 13 June 2022 and was updated on 27 June 2022 and 30 June 2022 to reflect new information.
30 June 2022 Update: The government of Canada will extend the pause on mandatory random testing at airports until mid-July for travelers who qualify as fully vaccinated. Mandatory testing will continue at land border points of entry.
Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, unless otherwise exempt, will continue to test on day one and day eight of a 14-day quarantine period.
All travelers entering the country must continue to use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours prior to arrival in Canada.
27 June 2022 Update: The government of Canada introduced additional measures to help reduce travel wait times in Canadian airports on 23 June 2022. The government made improvements to the ArriveCAN application, which is used to provide mandatory travel information before and after entering Canada. Travelers arriving at the Toronto Pearson or Vancouver Airports will be permitted to use the ArriveCAN application to complete an Advance CBSA Declaration form, where travelers' customs and immigration information can be entered prior to arrival.
Beginning 28 June 2022, ArriveCAN will also be introduced as a mobile app. Previously, travelers were required to log into the web version of the application. Frequent travelers will also now be able to save travel documents and proof of vaccination information in the application for use on future trips.
Key Points
From 11 June 2022 to 30 June 2022, the government of Canada will pause randomized testing for fully vaccinated travelers entering the country
Overview
The government of Canada will temporarily pause COVID-19 randomized testing requirements between 11 June 2022 and 30 June 2022 for fully vaccinated travelers. The pause will only apply to fully vaccinated travelers entering via air. Fully vaccinated travelers entering via land and sea borders will still be subject to randomized testing.
Unvaccinated travelers will still be required to undergo testing requirements when entering Canada, including providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken prior to travel.
Travelers should check here to ensure that they qualify for COVID-19 testing exemptions.
What are the Changes?
The government of Canada will move COVID-19 testing sites out of airports and pause randomized testing for fully vaccinated travelers beginning 11 June 2022 and ending on 30 June 2022. The government stated that these measures would be taken to reduce delays in airports. Randomized testing of fully vaccinated travelers will be introduced in off-site locations beginning 1 July 2022. Unvaccinated travelers will be tested at off-site locations beginning 11 June 2022.
Looking Ahead
COVID-19 travel entrance requirements will continue for fully vaccinated travelers on 1 July 2022. Continue to check the government of Canada’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.
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This article was published on 13 June 2022 and may not be the most recent update concerning COVID-19 entrance restrictions, testing requirements and quarantine measurers. For the most recent updates be sure to check our Global Mobility Resource Center.
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.
