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Travelling to Canada, let alone any country, has become more complex than ever before. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused governments to put rules and regulations in order to safeguard their citizens and permanent residents, as well as those travelling to the country.

To make things a little easier when making your travel plans, we’ve highlighted some of the things you need to know about Canada’s Covid-19 travel restrictions and Canada’s visitor visa requirements.

You Must Be Fully Vaccinated

As of January 15, 2022, Canada has made it compulsory for all foreigners entering Canada to be fully vaccinated with one or a combination of approved vaccines. Below is a list of Canada’s approved vaccines:

AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)

Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)

Janssen/Johnson & Johnson – 1 dose

Moderna (mRNA-1273)

Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)

Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)

Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

All travellers five years and older need to provide a negative COVID test result or proof of vaccination via the Arrive CAN app at least 72 hours before travelling to Canada. You’ll need to provide the following information via the app:

Contact information

Travel details; and

Vaccination information

You May Be Exempt Under Certain Circumstances

Certain travellers may be considered exempt and be allowed to enter Canada without being fully vaccinated. Below are some situations that may make you exempt:

You are a temporary foreign worker in the agriculture and food-processing sectors;

You are a refugee or asylum claimant;

You are travelling to Canada for compassionate reasons, e.g. to attend a funeral, provide care for or support to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or temporary resident who is critically ill;

You are travelling for medical support or treatment;

You provide essential services, trade or transportation; or

You are a minor younger than 18 years old or a dependant adult (must be an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen).

You will need to follow Canada’s visitor visa requirements for exempt travellers:

Wear a mask in all public areas;

Keep a record of people that you’ve been in contact with for the first 14 days;

Keep track of any COVID symptoms.

You May Need to Take a COVID Test on Arrival in Canada

Even though you may be fully vaccinated, you will receive a health screening and may be asked to be tested for COVID when you get to Canada. This can be done:

On-site at the airport

Offsite; or

At home with a self-swab test kit (you may be given one at the border)

You may not be able to enter Canada if you exhibit any symptoms or signs of COVID, regardless of where you are travelling from or if you are vaccinated.

If you are travelling to Canada from anywhere other than the U.S., you’ll need to take a COVID test and self-quarantine until you get your test results. If you are travelling from the U.S. and aren’t fully vaccinated, you’ll need to self-quarantine for 14 days.

14-day Quarantine Plan

If you are travelling to Canada and are unvaccinated, you’ll need a detailed quarantine plan. Your plan should outline:

Your accommodation

Your transportation details to your accommodation, and

How you intend on getting essentials like food or medicine.

Canada’s Visitor Visa Requirements

Before applying for your visitor’s visa, keep in mind that even if you have a visa, you may not be allowed to enter Canada if you don’t meet these COVID requirements:

You must be fully vaccinated to enter Canada unless listed on the exemption list;

You must be asymptomatic or not show any symptoms or signs of COVID;

Follow pre-entry testing and entry requirements:

Upload proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN

Submit all ArriveCAN requirements and get a receipt with a letter – I, V, or A next to your name

Complete an arrival test and quarantine (if need be)

Monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID for the first 14 days after arriving in Canada

Seek medical assistance or advice if you have COVID symptoms.

A visitor’s visa will allow you to stay in Canada for about six months. To apply for a Canadian visitor’s visa, you’ll need:

A valid travel document, e.g. a passport;

To be in good health;

To have a clear criminal record;

To show that you plan to return home by showing that you have ties, e.g. a job, home, financial assets or family, and a return ticket.

To show that you have enough money for your stay in Canada.

Ready to start your travels to Canada in 2022? Apply today for a Canadian visitor visa using a licensed professional, like the ones at CanadianVisa.org, and you could be on your way to a stress-free adventure abroad.