Here's Who's Allowed To Enter Canada From Other Countries Right Now
Even some foreign nationals may qualify for exemptions from some travel measures.
As Canada's travel mandates change, you may be wondering who can travel to Canada. While those who are eligible to enter the country may now qualify to skip quarantine and day 8 COVID-19 testing if they are fully vaccinated, this doesn't change who is actually allowed to enter the country.
As of July 5, travellers who are eligible to enter Canada and have received two doses of a federally-approved COVID-19 vaccine can be exempt from some travel restrictions; this includes foreign nationals who are allowed to enter Canada right now, too.
You will be required to upload your vaccine proof to the ArriveCAN app, and the proof must be in English, French, or a certified translation to one of those two languages.
Who is not allowed to enter Canada right now?
At present, travel to Canada for "optional reasons" is still prohibited. Reasons that are considered optional by the federal government include leisure, tourism, visiting friends, social gatherings, weddings, and going to a property you own in Canada.
If you're unsure if you are allowed to enter Canada, there is actually a questionnaire you can fill out to determine if you are.
Who is allowed to enter Canada right now?
While not everyone can enter Canada under the current travel restrictions, there are a number of travel exemptions that permit foreign nationals to come to the country.
Here's who is allowed to come to Canada from other countries right now:
- Some temporary foreign workers
- Some international students
- Some approved permanent residents
- People travelling for compassionate reasons like funerals or caring from someone who is critically sick
- People who have immediate or extended family members who are Canadian citizens, persons registered under the Indian Act, or permanent residents
- People who have immediate family members who are temporary residents of Canada with written proof from IRCC
- Members of the Canadian forces and their immediate family members if they are coming to Canada to perform their duties
- Accredited diplomats and their immediate family members
- Air and marine crew members
- French citizens who live in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and have only been in Canada, the U.S. or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon for the 14 days prior to entering Canada
- Anyone who's been deemed to not pose a risk to public health by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and/or will provide an essential service in Canada
- Any person whose travel to Canada "is in the national interest, in the opinion of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; or Minister of Foreign Affairs"
- Any person who's been invited by the Minister of Health for COVID-19 assistance
- People who are coming to Canada "to make medical deliveries of cells, blood, tissues, organs or other body parts for care of a specific patient in Canada, or provide medical services"
- Someone who has been approved to enter Canada for a internationals single sport event as authorized by the Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage
Even if you are approved to travel to Canada for one of the above reasons, you will need to quarantine in a hotel if you have not received two doses of a federally approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before your arrival.