Canada to remove COVID-19 border and travel restrictions on October 1
Today, September 26, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that it will be removing all COVID-19 travel restrictions for anyone entering Canada, effective October 1, 2022. This includes testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements. Also, the ArriveCan app will be optional for travellers.
“Thanks largely to Canadians who have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated, we have reached the point where we can safely lift the sanitary measures at the border. However, we expect COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will continue to circulate over the cold months, so I encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses and exercise individual public health measures. I also thank the dedicated public health officers and frontline staff at our land borders and airports who have worked tirelessly to protect the health and safety of people in Canada for the last two years.”
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos Minister of Health
Removal of travel restrictions
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said that effective October 1, 2022, all travellers -regardless of citizenship- will no longer have to:
- submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website;
- provide proof of vaccination;
- undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
- carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation;
- monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.
In addition, Transport Canada is also removing existing travel requirements. As of October 1, 2022, travellers will no longer be required to:
- undergo health checks for travel on air and rail; or
- wear masks on planes and trains.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said the removal of travel restrictions is due to Canada’s high vaccination rates, lower hospitalization and death rates, as well as the availability and use of vaccine boosters. The government still strongly recommends that travellers continue to wear masks and not travel with COVID-19 symptoms.
About ArriveCan
Travellers will no longer need to upload their travel plans and proof of vaccination onto the app to show CBSA agents. Moreover, air carriers will no longer need to validate that travellers have entered information in ArriveCAN before boarding.
However, travellers can continue to use the optional Advance Declaration feature in ArriveCAN (free as a mobile app or on the CBSA website) to save time at the airport. This feature is currently available to travellers arriving at:
- Toronto Pearson,
- Vancouver, or
- Montréal-Trudeau international airports
The feature will expand to the Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Billy Bishop Toronto City, Ottawa, Québec City, and Halifax international airports in the coming months.
Ask your questions!
If you have a broad question about immigration to Canada, please fill out the following form. However, if you have specific questions, book a consultation session. You may alternatively fill out our assessment form.
Read this in Spanish
Share it!
Fill our Free Canada Immigration Assessment Form in your language!
