Entering Canada is already very simple for those who are vaccinated: just fill out a form. But there were actually a few other requirements that no one really cared about, and they’re finally going to be removed officially. And a major requirement will also be removed for some unvaccinated travelers.
Here are the details of the announced changes.
And a summary of all the rules that will remain for those who care more about that than about what’s new.
New changes announced
Here are the highlights:
- Effective April 25 at midnight (Eastern Time)
- End of pre-entry test requirement for certain unvaccinated minors
- Those aged from 5 to less than 12
- End of required quarantine plan for vaccinated travelers*
- End of special requirements for 14 days after a trip
- Mandatory mask-wearing in public spaces (even outside)
- Keeping a list of all contacts and places visited
- Monitoring of symptoms
- Isolation if someone who traveled with you has symptoms
*Canada’s definition of “vaccinated” has never changed: 2 doses of vaccine or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson.
I’ll obviously explain each change in a second, but first…
What about all the other rules?
NOTHING else changes.
Just what’s written above. Otherwise, we would tell you, be sure of it!
As soon as something changes, we’ll let you know. Sign up for our free newsletter to join the 85,000+ Canadians who receive updates — and lots of tips on how to travel more for less, of course.
Yes, we also wish the remainder of the measures would be lifted… Yes, what Canada is doing goes against what the World Health Organization experts recommended (they have been saying to eliminate ALL travel requirements for months)…
The measures are unscientific and make no sense at this point in time, when everything else is almost back to normal. It’s about time to get over this, in our opinion. As many countries are doing.
But they are still there.
Many countries, such as the United States and certain European countries, are removing mask requirements everywhere, even mask requirements on planes. Here in Canada, we have Québec and Prince Edward Island which are holding back the group with an extremist measure, because yes, that’s the very definition of “extremist” when all other 58 states/provinces around have removed them.
Not to mention the vaccination requirement that imprisons unvaccinated people in Canada, a measure that almost no other country in the world has ever had and that Trudeau won’t let go of, even when public health agencies in 10 out of 10 provinces have ended the use of vaccine passports (even Québec, which says a lot if you know anything about how things are there).
(Meanwhile, unvaccinated, untested foreigners can sit on the same planes without any issue for transits, it’s “The Science™.”)
Anyway… That’s what it is for now. Other than making our voices heard (since political science takes precedence in decisions, according to a Liberal MP directly), there’s not much we can do about it!
Now that I’ve been able to use our platform to politely remind you why the measures make no sense and why you should want travel to be back to normal, here’s more info on each one of the changes.
Effective April 25 at midnight (Eastern Time)
Nothing changes between now and then.
Not even an exception a few hours before… It will magically become less dangerous in the middle of the night on the 25th at that exact time. Before then, it can’t change. Especially not right away.
End of pre-entry test requirement for certain unvaccinated minors
Canada still has a pre-entry test requirement for all unvaccinated travelers aged 5 or older, but it’s finally going to be eased a bit. Good news for parents.
Unvaccinated children under 12 will no longer require a pre-entry test, provided they travel with a fully vaccinated parent (or step-parent, guardian, tutor).
All children under the age of 5 are already exempt no matter who they travel with, that’s not changing
The vaccination requirement to board a plane at a Canadian airport is a completely separate rule, and nothing changes as we said: it applies to all travelers 12 years and 4 months or older.
(Yes, our dear Canadian government decided on 12 years and 4 months to fly, but 12 years old precisely to enter without a test/quarantine… Why make it simple?)
End of required quarantine plan for vaccinated travelers
Even though vaccinated travelers no longer have to quarantine since July 2021, you still had to provide a quarantine plan in case you developed symptoms.
I’ve explained this several times, including yesterday in my ultimate guide to the ArriveCAN app that everyone must fill out to enter Canada (with a new video showing you how simple it is).
But it confused many people who didn’t understand that it was just a quarantine plan. In any case, it’s not going to be mandatory anymore.
Unvaccinated Canadians will still need to quarantine, except for children under 12 (they also won’t need a plan if they travel with a vaccinated parent).
You may have to update your ArriveCAN app on April 25 to see the changes reflected there too. I’ll be able to tell you more about that on May 4 when I enter Canada for a few hours between my trips to Memphis and to Dubai for $190 roundtrip.
End of special requirements for 14 days after a trip
There were still several requirements to comply with for 14 days after crossing the imaginary lines.
Let’s be honest, no one cared about these requirements which were very difficult (if not impossible) to enforce.
Even Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer didn’t care, except that he went on TV without wearing a mask when he came back from a trip, which is prohibited under Canadian rules.
I guess even he thinks it’s completely stupid to have to wear a mask everywhere in public (even outside) for 14 days after a trip just because of the imaginary lines you crossed, while it’s no longer required to wear a mask, even inside crowded arenas, for all those who didn’t cross imaginary lines (in 8 of the 10 provinces).
No logic in that, of course.
Well, at least it’ll be over on the 25th.
Also, it’s the end of the requirement to keep a list of all your contacts and places visited. I’m sure that this has been followed very very diligently by all the 1 million travelers who entered Canada just this week for example. Yes, of course.
(By the way, it’s the first time we reach 1 million entries into Canada in one week since the beginning of the pandemic, revenge travel has finally made it here too — better late than never!)
No more requirement to monitor your symptoms either.
Finally, you will no longer have to isolate if someone who travels with you develops symptoms (well, at least not based on federal rules).
Anyway, Canada is starting to arrive in 2022… a bit. Slowly.
Recap of Canada’s entry rules
While waiting for our ultimate guide on pandemic travel, you can read the simplified version of how to travel during a pandemic to read about the 3 simple sets of rules to check. I’ll summarize the 3rd one (i.e. Canada’s entry rules).
Let’s start with the current rules, and then the new ones.
Canada’s entry rules until April 25
To enter Canada:
- Declaration to fill in the ArriveCAN app or website
- It’s easy and will take you no more than 5 minutes
- Pro tip: a NEXUS card will speed up the arrival process
- Randomized arrival testing
- Tests are
freetaxpayer-funded (over $1 billion) - No requirement to isolate while waiting for results
- Few travelers are selected
- Travelers with proof of a positive test are exempt
- Tests are
- No mandatory vaccination, same as it’s always been since the start of the pandemic (for Canadians)
- Pre-entry test required only for unvaccinated travelers
- 3 options: negative antigen test, negative molecular test, positive molecular test
- Negative antigen test: the day of your flight or the full day before (NOT “24 hours”)
- Negative molecular test: within the last 72 hours
- Positive molecular test: within the last 10 to 180 days
- Children under 5 years old are exempt
- Travelers only transiting through Canada are exempt
- Entry by land without a valid test is “allowed,” but you risk getting fined
- Virtual self-tests with supervision are accepted
- 3 options: negative antigen test, negative molecular test, positive molecular test
- Additional rules for unvaccinated travelers
- 14-day quarantine (some kids are exempt)
- Mandatory testing upon arrival (on days 1 and 8)
Canada’s entry rules as of April 25
To enter Canada:
- Declaration to fill in the ArriveCAN app or website
- It’s easy and will take you no more than 5 minutes
- Pro tip: a NEXUS card will speed up the arrival process
- Randomized arrival testing
- Tests are
freetaxpayer-funded (over $1 billion) - No requirement to isolate while waiting for results
- Few travelers are selected
- Travelers with proof of a positive test are exempt
- Tests are
- No mandatory vaccination, same as it’s always been since the start of the pandemic (for Canadians)
- Pre-entry test required only for unvaccinated travelers
- 3 options: negative antigen test, negative molecular test, positive molecular test
- Negative antigen test: the day of your flight or the full day before (NOT “24 hours”)
- Negative molecular test: within the last 72 hours
- Positive molecular test: within the last 10 to 180 days
- Children under 5 years old are exempt
- Children from 5 to under 12 are exempt if they travel with a vaccinated parent
- Travelers only transiting through Canada are exempt
- Entry by land without a valid test is “allowed,” but you risk getting fined
- Virtual self-tests with supervision are accepted
- 3 options: negative antigen test, negative molecular test, positive molecular test
- Additional rules for unvaccinated travelers
- 14-day quarantine (some kids are exempt)
- Mandatory testing upon arrival (on days 1 and 8)
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Summary
Canada’s entry rules will be eased at midnight on April 25: no more pre-entry test requirements for certain unvaccinated minors; no more need to provide a quarantine plan in the ArriveCAN app; and no more special requirements for 14 days after a trip.
What would you like to know about entering Canada? Tell us in the comments below.
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Valuation ≈ $750
I have a question: As someone who has been traveling since October, and was vaccinated in Mexico (double), does Canada consider me to be fully vaccinated? I mean, they obviously should, because I am, but will they accept my Mexican vax pass (English and Spanish) or will I be forced to quarantine etc. anyway?
Thanks!
Hi! If you got one of the WHO-approved vaccines, you’re good. The proof just needs to be in English or French.
When can we fly to USA without a test if we are fully vaccunated
Nobody knows unfortunately, but as soons as something is announced or even rumored, we’ll write about it. You can subscribe to our free travel newsletter to get all updates in your inbox directly: https://flytrippers.com/never-miss-a-cheap-flight-deal-from-canada/