Canada Allows Non-Essential Travel for U.S. Nationals and LPRs & Eases Other Travel Barriers
Canada has recently announced a number of exciting changes to the COVID-19 travel policies to facilitate discretionary travel for fully vaccinated American citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) as of August 9, 2021, and all other fully vaccinated travelers as of September 7, 2021. The new policy also eases travel for certain unvaccinated children and travelers entering the country, and opens 5 previously closed airports for international travel. The changes are summarized below:
Changes for Fully Vaccinated Travelers
Entry for Americans and Legal Permanent Residents for Tourism
As of August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated American citizens and U.S. legal permanent residents currently in the U.S. can enter Canada for tourism and other non-essential travel. Travelers will need to have the full series of a government-approved vaccine administered within 14 days of travel and will need to continue to comply with other requirements including obtaining a pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test and using ArriveCan to submit their travel information.
Randomized Arrival Testing
As of August 9, 2021, Canada is removing the requirement to submit to an arrival test and will, instead, implement randomized testing at eligible ports of entry. Any individual who is fully vaccinated and qualifies to enter Canada will benefit from this policy and will no longer need to submit an arrival test unless randomly selected.
All Other Travelers from Outside the United States or Visa Holders within the United States
As of September 7, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers holding citizenship from countries other than the U.S. or those who do not hold U.S. LPR status will be able to enter Canada for tourism and non-essential reasons. This includes individuals with valid U.S. visas residing in the United States. Until this date, these travelers must continue to meet Canada’s current travel eligibility rules to enter the country.
Changes for Unvaccinated Travelers and Children
Quarantine Requirement Lifted for Unvaccinated Children
As of August 9, 2021, unvaccinated children under the age of 12 and vaccinated dependent children (such as those with a mental or physical condition) travelling to Canada with fully-vaccinated parents or guardians no longer need to quarantine for 14 days and can accompany their parents or guardians throughout Canada as long as they do not participate in group settings like daycares and camps. Unvaccinated children will still be required to complete day 1 and day 8 molecular tests after arriving in Canada.
Elimination of the Hotel Isolation Requirement
As of August 9, 2021, Canada is fully removing the requirement for a 3 day stay at a government-approved hotel for all unvaccinated travelers entering Canada by air. Travelers will continue to be required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival and submit to day 1 and day 8 molecular tests, as well as comply with all other necessary quarantine provisions.
Opening of Additional Airports for International Flights
International flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at the following five additional Canadian airports:
Halifax Stanfield International Airport;
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport;
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport;
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport; and
Edmonton International Airport.