Maple News reports that, as of January 15, Canada now mandates full COVID-19 vaccination for nearly all foreign travelers entering the country. This new policy expands existing rules that previously applied only to non-essential travelers, extending the requirement to include essential travelers as well.
The updated regulations now apply to international students aged 18 and over, athletes, work permit holders (excluding those in agriculture and food processing), truck drivers, and family members of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals registered under the Indian Act.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents will still be allowed to enter the country regardless of vaccination status. However, unvaccinated individuals in this group must comply with strict public health protocols, including pre-entry testing, arrival testing, day-eight testing, and a mandatory quarantine period.
Foreign nationals who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated will be denied entry unless they meet specific exemption criteria. Exempt travelers include children under 18 in certain situations, newly approved permanent residents, resettling refugees, workers in the agriculture and food processing industries, marine crew members, and individuals traveling for compassionate reasons.
Even those who qualify for exemptions will still be subject to testing, quarantine, and other public health measures. Any traveler exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival must isolate for at least 10 days and report to a Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) official.
Border officers have the final say on who may enter Canada and the specific conditions each traveler must meet. Canada first introduced the vaccination mandate in November 2021, alongside updates to what constitutes “fully vaccinated.”
To be recognized as fully vaccinated, individuals must have received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Canada. The final dose must have been administered at least 14 days before entry. Travelers must also submit their vaccination and travel details via the ArriveCAN application prior to crossing the border.
This policy reflects Canada’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while allowing for the safe resumption of essential international travel and economic activity.