U.S.-Canada Border to Finally Open on August 9

Beginning on August 9th, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, fully vaccinated United States (U.S.) citizens and permanent residents will be eligible to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism, however these individuals must:

- be fully vaccinated: to be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). 

- be residing in and travelling from the U.S.;

- have a valid negative pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test result taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in Canada or a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days before departure to Canada (antigen tests are not accepted);

- be asymptomatic;

- submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN, including proof of vaccination in English or French;

- be admissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and,

- take a test on arrival, if required.

Even though travellers are fully vaccinated, they must also provide a quarantine plan in ArriveCAN and be prepared to quarantine. At any time after entry, if a fully vaccinated traveller tests positive or is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they must follow all local public health requirements, including quarantine or isolation.

It is important to note that fully vaccinated U.S. travellers arriving before 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 9th will not be eligible to enter for discretionary (non-essential) reasons.