LAST UPDATED: December 7, 2021, 9:00 AM EST
With the arrival of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, countries around the world are tightening restrictions for travel and imposing new requirements.
Both Canada and the U.S. have already announced changes to their travel policies that will affect many snowbirds planning to travel in the near future.
Accordingly, we have created a recap of the current rules for entering Canada and the United States below.
While the rules listed below are accurate as of the LAST UPDATED date listed above, it is important to keep in mind that rules can change very quickly and without warning during the pandemic.
Due to the fluid nature of the Omicron variant, it is possible that more changes will be implemented in the coming weeks, days or even hours. Accordingly, we always encourage you to check official government sites for the latest information on entry requirements.
Entering Canada
ArriveCAN:
IMPORTANT NOTE: On December 6, 2021, the federal government announced a policy change, stating that Canadians who are unable to use ArriveCAN will be able to provide their information in person at the border when entering Canada.
Regardless of how you enter Canada, all travellers must use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours before your flight departure or your arrival at the land border, depending on your mode of entry into Canada, including:
- Contact information and travel details
- Vaccination information
- Pre-entry COVID test result information
- Quarantine plan
Some travellers may also be required to submit information through ArriveCAN after they enter Canada as well.
ArriveCAN is available online or via mobile app for iOS and Android mobile devices. The app is free and available in English, French and Spanish.
You can get more details about ArriveCAN here.
By Land:
No changes at this time to the existing rules that came into force on November 30, 2021:
- Fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents 5 years of age and older returning to Canada from trips of more than 72 hours will still require a negative molecular pre-arrival COVID test administered within 72 hours of arriving at the land border
- Fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to Canada from trips of less than 72 hours do not need a pre-arrival COVID test.
- Fully vaccinated Canadians do not need to take a COVID test at the border when returning to Canada by land.
- Fully vaccinated Canadians do not need to quarantine when returning to Canada by land.
By Air:
- Starting very soon, all fully vaccinated travellers 5 years and up flying to Canada from all countries except the United States will be required to take a COVID test upon arrival and quarantine until they receive the results of their test.
The Canadian government has already implemented the new testing and quarantine requirement on a limited basis in some airports, but it appears that the rollout will vary depending on each airport’s testing capacity and ability and is expected to ramp up in the coming days. - Fully vaccinated travellers flying to Canada from the United States are exempt from these requirements so far.
- Fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to Canada from trips of more than 72 hours will still require a negative molecular pre-arrival COVID test administered within 72 hours before their flight departure time.
- Fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to Canada from trips of less than 72 hours do not need a pre-arrival COVID test.
Travelling to the U.S
Since November 8, 2021, only fully vaccinated Canadians are permitted to travel to the United States.
By Land:
No changes at this time to the existing rules.
Fully vaccinated Canadians driving to the United States are not required to take a pre-entry COVID test or quarantine.
By Air:
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, as of Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at 12:01 am EST, all travellers 2 years of age and up flying to the U.S. - including Canadians - are required to present a negative pre-arrival COVID test taken within 1 day prior to their flights.
This replaces the old rule requiring Canadians flying to the U.S. to present a negative pre-arrival COVID test taken within 3 days prior to their flights
The types of pre-entry COVID tests accepted by the United States has not changed
Helpful Links
Entering Canada:
Government of Canada introduces additional measures to address COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern
Government of Canada announces adjustments to Canada’s border measures
Travelling to the U.S.:
President Biden announces new actions to protect Americans against the Delta and Omicron variants
CDC – Testing requirements for international air travellers
