Since the early days of the pandemic, the Public Health Agency of Canada has required travellers to Canada to provide information upon and after entry – but the process for doing so has lacked consistency and clarity. On November 2, 2020, the Government of Canada announced new mandatory requirements and protocols. I hope this will make travel to Canada more predictable.
Prior to Arrival ~ As of November 21, 2020, air travellers, whose final destination is Canada, will be required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before they board their flight. ArriveCAN is available as a mobile app or by signing in online. Dedicated lanes for faster processing of ArriveCAN users are already available at some major airports, including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto Pearson and the Montréal Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airports.
The information travellers must provide through ArriveCAN includes:
Contact information;
a Travel itinerary;
a Quarantine Plan (unless exempted); and
a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment.
Travelers must show their ArriveCAN receipt upon entry so that a Canadian Border Services Agency Officer can verify that they have submitted their information digitally. Those who do not submit the required information before boarding may be subject to a $1,000 fine. However, there will be some exceptions for those unable to submit documents electronically. Travelers entering Canada by land are also encouraged to use ArriveCAN.
After Entry ~ As of November 21, 2020, travellers who enter Canada by air or land, unless specifically exempted, will also be required to submit information through ArriveCAN or by calling a toll-free number (1-833-641-0343) during their quarantine or isolation. Travelers must confirm they have arrived at their place of quarantine within 48 hours of entering Canada and complete a daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment.
This update has been compiled with the latest available information for the general information of Border Law clients and other interested parties. This Update is not comprehensive and should not be relied upon without appropriate legal advice.
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