LAST UPDATED: February 15, 2022
NOTE: For full details and future updates about COVID-19 travel rules, please check out our COVID-19 Travel Rules Guide for Snowbirds here.
The Omicron variant has become a real game-changer when it comes to pre-arrival COVID testing requirements for snowbirds travelling to the U.S. or back to Canada.
Because the Omicron variant is far more transmissible than previous COVID-19 strains, the likelihood of your pre-arrival COVID test coming back positive - or having had and recovered from COVID - is much greater than in the past and is bound to have an impact on many snowbirds travelling in the coming weeks and months.
Accordingly, Canadian snowbirds need to know the rules, plan accordingly and have contingency plans in place in case your pre-arrival COVID-19 test for Canada or the U.S. comes back positive or if you have already had and recovered from COVID-19.
Below is an overview of the rules for Canada and the U.S. if your pre-arrival COVID test comes back positive or you have had COVID-19 and recovered.
Canada
What if I am returning to Canada and my pre-arrival COVID test is positive or I have recovered from COVID?
Travelling by Air
Canadian citizens and permanent residents 5 years and older returning to Canada by air must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken outside Canada. Acceptable tests include:
- A molecular test administered within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada.
- Beginning on February 28, 2022, a rapid antigen test taken the day prior to your scheduled flight to Canada. The test must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service. Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not sufficient to meet the pre-entry requirement.
Alternatively, Canadians who have already had COVID-19 and recovered and are symptom-free can provide proof of a positive COVID-19 molecular test instead of a negative one, as long as the test was taken between 10 and 180 days prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada.
Airlines may refuse boarding to travellers who are unable to provide proof of one of the test results outlined above.
To avoid being fined $5,000 per traveller (plus surcharges), you must wait to enter Canada until the 10th day after your positive test result.
Travelling by Land
Canadian citizens and permanent residents 5 years and older returning to Canada by land or sea must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken outside Canada within 72 hours of arriving at the land border.
- A molecular test administered within 72 hours of arriving at the land border.
- Beginning on February 28, 2022, a rapid antigen test taken the day prior to arriving at the land border. The test must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service. Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not sufficient to meet the pre-entry requirement.
Alternatively, Canadians who have already had COVID-19 and recovered and are symptom-free can provide proof of a positive COVID-19 molecular test instead of a negative one, as long as the test was taken between 10 and 180 days prior to arriving at the land border.
Canadians entering Canada by land who are unable to provide proof of one of the test results outlined above will be allowed to enter Canada, however, you will be required to isolate for 10 days and may be:
- Subject to a fine of up to $5,000 per traveller (plus surcharges) or face criminal prosecution
- Required to go to a designated quarantine facility if you are symptomatic on arrival at the border and do not have a suitable quarantine plan
To avoid being fined $5,000 per traveller (plus surcharges), you must wait to enter Canada until the 10th day after your positive test result.
More Information
You can find more information about testing positive for your pre-arrival COVID test before returning to Canada here.
United States
What if I am travelling to the U.S. and my pre-arrival COVID test is positive or I have recovered from COVID?
Travelling by Air
Canadian citizens and permanent residents 2 years of age or older travelling to the U.S. by air must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within 1 day before your flight to the U.S. departs and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight.
If your pre-arrival COVID-19 test is positive, do not travel to the U.S. until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.
Alternatively, Canadians who have already had COVID-19 and recovered may instead travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19, which consists of:
- Proof of a positive COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 90 days before your flight’s departure to the U.S. and
- A signed letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel according to CDC’s travel guidance.
Airlines must refuse to board anyone who does not present a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery as outlined above.
Travelling by Land or Sea
Canadian citizens and permanent residents travelling to the U.S. by land or sea are not required to take or present proof of a pre-arrival COVID-19 test.
Contingency Plans
Due to the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, many travellers who are asymptomatic are caught off guard when their pre-arrival COVID test comes back positive and they have to drastically alter their travel plans.
Accordingly, snowbirds returning to Canada or travelling to the U.S (or to any other country that requires a negative pre-arrival COVID test) should think about contingency plans in case their pre-entry COVID test result is positive.
