Fully Vaccinated Canadians Can Now Travel To The U.S.

As of November 8, 2021, the United States allows fully vaccinated travelers from Canada to enter the United States for non-essential reasons, such as tourism. However, there are strict requirements to re-enter Canada.

To enter the U.S. Canadians must be fully vaccinated. According to the Department of Homeland Security website “For the first time since March 2020, non-citizen travelers will be permitted to enter the U.S. through a land border or ferry terminal for a non-essential reason (i.e., tourism), provided they are fully vaccinated and can present proof of Covid-19 vaccination status. Unvaccinated travelers may continue to cross the border for essential travel, including lawful trade, emergency response, and public health purposes.

Starting November 8, when arriving at a U.S. land POE or ferry terminal, non-citizen travelers should be prepared to:

• present proof of Covid-19 vaccination as outlined on the CDC website; and,
• verbally attest to their non-essential travel and Covid-19 vaccination status.

In response to the new rules to enter the U.S., the Canada Border Services Agency released a press release reminding travelers that border measures remain in place for returning to Canada. All travelers 5 years or older, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, are required to provide proof of a Covid-19 negative molecular test to enter the country. Alternately, they can provide proof of a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days. Unlike in many other countries, rapid antigen tests will not be accepted to enter the country. 

The Canada Border Services Agency press release states that “Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border. Canadian residents can check with their home province or territory about getting Covid-19 proof of vaccination to facilitate their return to Canada.”

Fully vaccinated travellers coming to Canada must complete the mandatory pre-arrival molecular Covid-19 test and submit their mandatory information including their digital proof of vaccination in English or French using the free ArriveCAN (App or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada. Antigen tests, often called “rapid tests,” are not accepted. Fully vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada continue to be subject to mandatory random testing on arrival.

For short trips, that are less than 72 hours, Canadians are allowed to take their pre-arrival molecular test before they leave Canada. If the test is more than 72 hours old when they re-enter Canada, they will be required to get a new pre-arrival molecular test in the United States.

To provide proof of your result, when you arrive at the border, you must present an accepted negative molecular test result (paper or electronic proof) or proof of a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days. 

All travelers must:

• provide one of the accepted types of molecular tests, not an antigen test
• keep proof of your test results for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada must continue to follow pre-arrival, arrival and Day-8 molecular Covid-19 testing requirements, and quarantine for 14 days. Full details on the current measures in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada are available online.