Canada Announces New Vaccine Requirements and Traveler Exemptions

Canada had to slow down immigration in 2020 because of the pandemic. International travel was largely restricted last year and for the major part of 2021 as well. Now, the situation has improved with worldwide vaccination campaigns. Canada has finally decided to lift most of the restrictions on travel so that people can enter Canada freely. However, the country does not want to take any risks and requires travelers to meet certain conditions before they can enter.

New Measures

From 3 a.m., October 30, Canada will consider double vaccination mandatory for travelers who are departing from airports within the country or traveling on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains. This rule is applicable to all travelers aged 12 or older who are using federally regulated modes of transportation. Travelers will have to be fully vaccinated if they want to get onto domestic and international flights from Canadian airports, VIA Rail, ride Rocky Mountaineer train passengers, or ride cruise ships for voyages lasting more than a day.

In case you have begun the vaccination process but haven’t received the second dose yet, you are allowed to provide proof of a valid COVID-19 molecular test to continue your trip. However, this allowance will be made only until November 29. Canada will make the rules stricter after that and no partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers will be allowed to travel in federally regulated transportation without special exemption.

Unvaccinated foreign nationals who came to Canada before October 30 will be allowed to fly out of Canada until February 28 if they can provide proof of a valid COVID-19 molecular test before boarding. This rule will be applicable only to those who do not live in Canada usually.