Last update: 12/01/2023
Canada reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers on September 7, 2021. Currently, fully vaccinated international travelers can visit Canada from almost any country (except Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe). International travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated cannot enter Canada unless they have certain essential reasons for traveling.
Is Canada Open for Tourists? – Latest Canada Travel Restrictions
All travelers entering Canada must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR, NAAT, RT-LAMP) that was obtained within 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight or proof of a positive test result that was obtained within 14 and 180 days prior to travel.
All travelers must also submit their travel information (vaccination information, pre-arrival test result, and quarantine plan) to ArriveCAN within 72 hours prior to arrival in Canada. Any vaccinated traveler may be subject to random testing on arrival in Canada, but this testing is free, and they do not have to quarantine while waiting for the results.
Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival. They must also get tested on arrival in Canada and on day 8 of their quarantine period.
Can I travel to Canada right now?
You can travel to Canada from most countries right now as long as you are vaccinated. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Canada at the moment.
CANADA - EN
- Canada
- Countries allowed to travel to Canada
Canada has reopened borders to tourists from these countries
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*Fully vaccinated international travelers can enter Canada for any reason from any of these countries. International travelers who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated can only enter Canada for certain essential reasons.
Canada travel ban is in place for these countries
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*Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and people with status under the “Indian Act” can still enter Canada from these countries.
Canada COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Canada has implemented rather strict entry requirements for international travelers.
While fully vaccinated international travelers can enter Canada from any country (except Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe), international travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated can only enter Canada for certain essential reasons. All travelers should check if they can enter Canada before they start planning their trip.
Canada COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
All travelers must submit their travel details to ArriveCAN within 72 hours prior to arriving in Canada. Travel details that must be submitted include proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR, NAAT, RT-LAMP) that was obtained within 72 hours prior to the traveler’s scheduled flight or proof of a positive test result that was obtained within 14 and 180 days prior to travel; proof of vaccination; and a quarantine plan in case the traveler does not qualify as fully vaccinated.
Fully vaccinated travelers may be subject to random testing on arrival in Canada. This testing is free of charge and does not require travelers to quarantine until they receive their results.
Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must undergo testing on arrival in Canada. They must also quarantine for 14 days from their arrival and get tested on day 8 of their quarantine period.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Canada
Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from quarantining or taking a COVID-19 test on the 8th day after their arrival.
Vaccinated travelers must still obtain a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR, NAAT, RT-LAMP) within 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight. They must also submit their travel information to ArriveCAN within 72 hours prior to arriving in Canada and may be subject to random testing on arrival in Canada.
To qualify as fully vaccinated, travelers must have received two doses of an accepted vaccine (can be a mix of two accepted vaccines) or at least one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Additionally, the second/final dose of the vaccine must have been received at least 14 full days prior to entering Canada.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Canada
Accepted vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Bharat Biotech (Covaxin), Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
Proof of vaccination must be uploaded to ArriveCAN. This proof must be an official certificate, pass, card, receipt, or confirmation in English, French, or a certified translation into English or French. The proof must contain the traveler’s name, the name of the government or organization that administered the vaccine, the brand name of the vaccine, and the date(s) the vaccine was received.
Travelers who have recovered from COVID-19 can use a positive test result that was obtained within 14 and 180 days prior to travel as their pre-arrival test result. If this positive proof is accepted, travelers won’t have to get tested on arrival or take a day-8 test, but if they are unvaccinated, they will still have to abide by all other rules for unvaccinated travelers.
Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Canada?
All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight or proof of a positive test result that was obtained within 14 and 180 days prior to travel.
Acceptable tests include PCR, NAT, NAAT, RT-LAMP, RT-PCR, qPCR, isothermal amplification, ddPCR, TMA, RNA, Ct (cycle threshold), CRISPR, sequencing, NGS, WGS, LamPORE, N gene detection, Orf1a/b detection, S gene detection, E gene detection, and RdRp gene detection tests.
Proof of the test result can be paper or electronic and must include the traveler’s name and date of birth; the name and address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test; the date the test was conducted; the type of test conducted; and the test result.
Children under the age of 5 are exempt from pre-arrival testing.
Fully vaccinated travelers may be subject to random testing on arrival in Canada. Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will undergo testing on arrival and on day 8 of their 14-day quarantine period. The arrival test is free.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Canada?
Travelers who do not qualify as vaccinated and are allowed to enter Canada must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Canada.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Canada?
They will also be required to take a COVID-19 test on day 8 of their quarantine period.
All travelers, even if they are fully vaccinated, must submit a quarantine plan when they complete their ArriveCAN form prior to arriving in Canada.
Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Canada
You are not required to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to enter Canada, but it is always safest to have travel health insurance coverage when you venture abroad.
If you’re looking for the best travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, it’s most certainly Heymondo. Their policies provide excellent medical coverage, particularly for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, while still being affordable. You can even save 5% on Heymondo insurance with the discount link below.
Other travel restrictions for Canada during COVID-19
Canada has implemented a few other travel restrictions:
- All travelers must submit their travel details to ArriveCAN within 72 hours prior to arriving in Canada.
- All travelers should consult this website to see if they can enter Canada.
- Face masks are required in indoor public settings and recommended in crowded settings.
- Social distancing rules must be observed.
- You may need a tourist visa to visit Canada. Check if you need one below.
[IVISA CODE]
What’s open in Canada
Each province/territory in Canada has its own regulations for what’s open and what restrictions apply to businesses and gatherings. You can check the regulations for the province/territory you will be visiting here.
In general, hotels, attractions, restaurants, and airports in Canada are open.
Hotels that are open in Canada
Canadian hotels are open for tourists and travelers to stay. We highly recommend these accommodations in Canada:
- Radisson Blu Downtown Toronto
- Hotel Monville, Montreal
- Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver
- Fairmont Banff Springs
Guests must wear masks in indoor public areas and abide by social distancing guidelines. Canadian provinces/territories do not usually require proof of vaccination to enter hotels.
More information on hotel regulations is available here.
Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Canada
Attractions are open and tours are operating in Canada, but many territories/provinces require proof of vaccination to enter attractions.
These are our favorite Canadian attractions:
- Vancouver: Half-Day Whale-Watching Tour
- Niagara Falls: Heli, Boat Ride & Skylon Lunch Tour
- Quebec: 1-Hour Double Decker Bus Tour
- Montreal: 3.5-Hour Guided Bus Tour
In all territories/provinces, visitors must wear masks at indoor attractions and follow social distancing guidelines.
In Alberta, visitors to attractions must present proof of vaccination, proof of a medical exemption, or proof of a negative rapid test result that was obtained within 72 hours of service.
In Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan, visitors to indoor attractions must provide proof of vaccination or a medical exemption.
In Ontario, attractions can choose to require proof of vaccination. In Quebec, proof of vaccination is required at some attractions.
British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon do not have a proof of vaccination requirement for attractions.
More details on attractions can be found here.
Restaurants that are open in Canada
Restaurants in Canada are open, so you won’t have to worry about finding a great place to eat.
In all territories/provinces, customers must wear masks indoors when they are entering, walking around, and exiting restaurants and bars.
In Alberta and Saskatchewan, customers who want to eat at restaurants must present proof of vaccination, proof of a medical exemption, or proof of a negative rapid test result that was obtained within 72 hours of service.
Restaurants that are open in Canada
In British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Yukon, customers must present proof of vaccination or medical exemption in order to dine at restaurants.
The Northern Territories and Nunavut do not have a proof of vaccination requirement for restaurants.
Generally, unvaccinated customers will still be able to order takeout or get delivery.
More information on restaurant regulations is available here.
Airports that are open in Canada
All of Canada’s airports are open and commercial flights are operating.
Travelers must wear masks and abide by social distancing guidelines. Fully vaccinated travelers may be subject to random testing on arrival. Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must get tested on arrival in Canada. Arrival testing is free.
Where to get a PCR test in Canada – COVID-19 testing in Canada
Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Canada, you can find more information on testing here and here.
Restrictions on Intercity and Interregional Travel in Canada
Anyone who is over the age of 12 years and four months must be fully vaccinated in order to board a domestic flight within Canada or a VIA Rail or Rocky Mountaineer train.
Canada reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.
Check out these FAQs related to Canada reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.
Can I travel to Canada right now?
Yes, you can travel to Canada if you are a fully vaccinated international traveler from any country (except Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe). If you do not qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler and you are not a Canadian citizen or resident, you may only enter Canada if you have certain essential reasons for traveling.
Is it safe to travel to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic?
There are currently 25,000+ active cases and 29,000+ deaths due to COVID-19 in Canada as of today. The CDC classifies travel to Canada as “Level 3 – High Risk.” If you have a pre-existing condition or any health condition that could increase your chances of serious illness, do not travel to Canada. Additionally, if you are unvaccinated, you should not travel to Canada.
Is there a travel ban in Canada?
Yes, international travelers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and unvaccinated international travelers who do not have an essential reason for traveling cannot currently enter Canada.
Is quarantine required to visit Canada?
Yes, all travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Canada.
Do you need a PCR COVID-19 test to travel to Canada?
Yes, all travelers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR, NAAT, RT-LAMP) that was obtained within 72 hours prior to their scheduled flight or proof of a positive test result that was obtained within 14 and 180 days prior to travel. Fully vaccinated travelers may be subject to random testing on arrival in Canada. Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must get tested on arrival and on day 8 of their 14-day quarantine period.
Is a curfew in place?
No, there is currently no curfew in Canada.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interregional travel?
Yes, you must be fully vaccinated to take domestic flights and VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains within Canada.
Are hotels open in Canada?
Yes, hotels in Canada are open.
Are airports open in Canada?
Yes, Canada’s airports are open.
Are restaurants open in Canada?
Yes, restaurants in Canada are open, but customers must present proof of vaccination or a medical exemption (or a negative rapid test result in some territories/provinces) in order to dine at restaurants in most territories/provinces.
Are attractions open in Canada?
Yes, Canadian attractions are open, but many provinces/territories require proof of vaccination for entry.
Is Canada open to American tourists?
Yes, American tourists can visit Canada as long as they are fully vaccinated.
Sources
We will update this guide on Canada reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Canada, you can check these official sources:
- US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Canada
- CDC Travel Recommendations for Canada
- General Canada Travel Advisory
- Requirements and Exemptions for Entering Canada
- Requirements for Vaccinated Travelers
- Information on Travel, Testing, and Borders
- Information on ArriveCAN
- Testing to Enter Canada
- Find Out if You Can Enter Canada
- Regulations for Canadian Provinces and Territories
- Travel Restrictions for Canadian Provinces and Territories
