What You Need To Know About Canada’s New Border Rules
As of July 5, 2021, new border and quarantine measures are in effect. These new measures are part of the first phase of easing border measures for international travellers entering Canada.
The new measures apply to all persons who are currently authorized to enter the country, including study permit holders, AND are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. These travellers will no longer be required to quarantine at a government-designated hotel upon arrival or take a Covid-19 test on day-8. These travellers will still be required to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, and stay in isolation until the test comes back negative.
To avoid being denied entry into the country, it is very important that incoming students who are fully vaccinated understand and follow the new rules. Several requirements must be fulfilled before students can depart on their trip and arrive in Canada.
There are no changes to existing entry and quarantine requirements for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers.
Understanding the new rules
The new rules, which include quarantine exemption, apply only to those travellers who meet specific conditions. To be exempt from quarantine, students must:
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- Be eligible to enter Canada;
- Have no COVID-19 symptoms (be asymptomatic);
- Have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or combination of accepted vaccines at least 14 days prior to entering Canada (see list of accepted vaccines below);
- Have proof of vaccination (in English or French, or a certified translation into English or French);
- Take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours before arrival in Canada and obtain confirmation of a negative result;
- Have a suitable back-up quarantine plan in place prior to departure in case border officials deny quarantine exemption upon arrival; and
- Meet all other entry requirements including entering all necessary information into the ArriveCAN app prior to departure.
Accepted vaccines in Canada
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- Pfizer (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2) – two doses
- Moderna (mRNA-1273) – two doses
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, AZD1222, Covishield) – two doses
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) – single dose
Vaccines not currently accepted for fully vaccinated status in Canada
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- Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
- Cansino (Convidecia, Ad5-nCoV)
- Gamalaya (Sputnik V, Gam-Covid-Vac)
- Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV, Sinopharm-Wuhan)
- Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
- Vector Institute (EpiVacCorona)
- Other
Source: Fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada during COVID-19
Common Questions
Where can I obtain a certified translation of my vaccination record?
All supporting documents that are not in a language other than English or French, must be accompanied by an official translation of the original document.
If the translation is being done outside of Canada, you need to use the services of a translator who is accredited (officially recognized or authorized) in your country. The translation can not be done by yourself, a member of your family or your agent/representative. Please make sure to follow all guidelines provided by the Canadian government.
Will CBSA (Canada Border Service Agency) issue a document to show the student does not have to isolate if they are satisfied with all the student’s proof of vaccination?
After completion of border screening, travellers are provided with a handout that identifies instructions on the requirements based on their status. Travellers that are deemed to be fully vaccinated on arrival will be provided with a “turquoise” handout for fully vaccinated travellers. If they are not deemed fully vaccinated, they will receive a “green” handout (asymptomatic/quarantine) or “red” handout (symptomatic/isolate) which will indicate their obligations.
How will the result of the Covid-19 test upon arrival be communicated to the student?
It is recommended that students pre-register online for the appropriate testing provider depending on port of entry. Following processing of the specimen, travellers are contacted by the testing provider via email or text to indicate that their test result has been posted in the proprietary portal. Travellers are then to log in and retrieve their result. If this is not possible, the traveller can call the testing provider for alternative means to retrieve a result. Process information is provided online as well as in the test kit. Travellers can also place general inquiries into the testing provider via a toll free customer service call centre. Web content will be updated shortly and will include more information regarding the various test providers authorized by the Canada Border Testing Program.
Fully vaccinated students must have a back-up quarantine plan
Fully vaccinated travellers must have a suitable quarantine plan in place and enter the address of their intended place of quarantine in the ArriveCAN app BEFORE travelling to Canada in the event CBSA officers determine they do not meet requirements for quarantine exemption.
The plan must demonstrate that there is access to necessities including food and medication. This is required even if they are seeking the fully vaccinated exemption. More information on the quarantine plan
Obtaining a suitable back-up quarantine plan through the Study Safe Corridor
In an effort to help them come prepared, Study Safe Corridor (SSC) operator The Student Travels can provide fully vaccinated students with a suitable back-up quarantine plan, at no cost, allowing them to enter a quarantine hotel address into the ArriveCAN app prior to departure. Student may activate their plan if they are denied quarantine exemption upon arrival.
To obtain a free back-up quarantine plan through the Study Safe Corridor, fully vaccinated students should:
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- Go to languagescanada.ca/en/travel-safe
- Click on NEW REGISTRATION
- Choose Vancouver
- Answer the question about their vaccination status
- Further information and instructions will then be provided.
How the SSC back-up quarantine plan works
The free back-up quarantine plan obtained through the Study Safe Corridor is provided in the form of a letter containing all relevant information and instructions, along with the address of a Study Safe Corridor quarantine hotel, which the student can enter into the ArriveCAN app prior to departure.
Upon arrival, in the event the student does not meet requirements for quarantine exemption, CBSA officers will provide them with instructions for booking a 3-night stay at a government-authorized hotel.
As soon as possible, the student will need to activate their SSC back-up quarantine plan by following the instructions provided in their letter and emailing contactus@thestudenttravels.com.
The team at the The Student Travels will guide the student through the online process of booking and paying for their Study Safe Corridor quarantine package to fulfill the 11 remaining days of their 14-day quarantine, following their 3 night government-authorized hotel stay.
View details and pricing for quarantine packages in Vancouver >
Please note: Not having a suitable quarantine plan may result in students being denied entry into Canada and returned to their country of origin. We recommend that students who choose to prepare their own quarantine plan use the Canadian government’s quarantine plan assessment tool to determine whether or not their plan is acceptable.
Source: Languages Canada
Further Reading
The Canadian Association of Public Schools – International (CAPS-I) has shared responses received from IRCC to a number of additional questions raised on behalf of their members. Click here to learn more about the questions raised on behalf of the members and the official answers from IRCC.