After a long period of closed borders, it is finally possible to travel to Canada again as of September 2021. If you are planning on going to Canada soon for a holiday, business trip or family visit, there are a few things you need to take into account. Not only do you need an eTA Canada, but you also need to download the ArriveCAN app.
What is ArriveCAN?
ArriveCAN is a program designed by the Canadian government to keep track of the spread of coronavirus. All travellers, with few exceptions, are required to download the ArriveCAN app on their phone or complete the web version. You can download the app here for Android and here for Apple smartphones. You may be denied entry into Canada if you fail to fill in your details in the app or on the Canadian government website beforehand. Once you have completed your details via ArriveCAN, a receipt will be emailed to you. You can show a digital version of this receipt (via the app, email or as a screenshot) or a printed version to your airline or Canadian Customs.
The receipt only shows that you have successfully transmitted the information. The ArriveCAN app does not exempt you from any public health regulations that may apply, it is not proof of vaccination or proof that your purpose of travel is essential, and it does not guarantee that you will actually be allowed to enter Canada.
WHen do I need to use ArriveCAN?
Every person who wants to travel to Canada must submit their travel details and vaccination certificate via ArriveCAN. Are you travelling to Canada by air or land? Then you must complete the form within 72 hours prior to your arrival in Canada. Are you travelling by cruise ship? You must complete the form within 72 hours prior to your departure. Are you travelling to Canada on a ship or boat that is not a cruise ship? You may also complete the form on arrival in Canada.
There are few exceptions to using ArriveCAN. Are you only travelling to Canada for a transfer and will not be leaving the secure area of the airport in the meantime? Then you do not need to use ArriveCAN. You do need an eTA Canada for a transit journey.
What information do I need to fill in?
Contact information and travel details
You must provide both your own contact details and those of the people travelling with you. In addition, you must provide some travel details such as the purpose of your trip, date and time of arrival. If you are flying to Canada, enter your flight number, the name of the airport and the airline. If travelling by land or sea, enter the name of the border crossing or port.
Vaccination certificate and test results
You must also submit your vaccination certificate through ArriveCAN. This is mandatory for travel to Canada. You will also need to provide some information regarding your corona vaccinations. In addition, you will be asked for information about the countries you have visited in the 14 days prior to your arrival in Canada. Countries where you have transited do not count. As of April 1, fully vaccinated travellers and unvaccinated travellers under the age of 12 are no longer required to provide proof of coronavirus vaccinations.
Quarantine Plan
A quarantine plan must only be submitted in exceptional cases. Fully vaccinated travellers and unvaccinated travellers under 12 years of age do not need to submit a quarantine plan.
Non-completely vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must submit a plan for how they will spend the mandatory 14 days of quarantine. The plan must include the address of a quarantine site.
Do I need to report changes in my travel plans?
Before you arrive in Canada
If your travel plans change before you enter Canada and the information you provided in the ArriveCAN app is no longer correct, you must start a new application. ArriveCAN will then delete your previous information.
After you arrive in Canada
If you are fully vaccinated
Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to report on their health through ArriveCAN upon arrival in Canada, but they may be randomly selected for a test on arrival. If you receive notifications or emails from ArriveCAN asking you to complete your daily reporting or to be tested on day 8 of your trip, please contact the Public Health Agency of Canada. You may ignore these notifications.
If you are not fully vaccinated
The day after you arrive in Canada, you must confirm that you have arrived at the address you gave as your quarantine location. If you have coronavirus symptoms during your quarantine period, you must report it. On day 8 you must take a coronavirus test, send the sample to the lab and wait for the results. You will be contacted by telephone (1-888-336-7735) to check compliance with the mandatory quarantine. In some cases, someone may visit you to confirm that you are complying. If you are sent to a designated quarantine facility, you do not have to report daily through ArriveCAN after arrival.
Please note: this news article about the eTA for Canada is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the eTA for Canada.