Can canadians fly to the us right now

Air Canada enRoute is keeping tabs on which parts of the world are open for Canadians touching down.

This story was originally published in July 2020 and was updated in January 2022.

The Government of Canada released a travel advisory, as of December 15, 2021, to avoid non–essential travel outside of the country, due to the increased risk of the Omicron variant of Covid–19.

Anyone aged 12 or older departing from a Canadian airport on a domestic or international flight will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid–19. A pan–Canadian standardized digital proof of vaccination document is currently available in all provinces and territories. Stay informed on the latest travel rules and restrictions by visiting the Government of Canada’s site on travel health notices.

If you are planning to travel, Air Canada is flying to destinations across Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia.

For the latest information, check out IATA’s Travel Centre Covid‑19 Travel Regulations Map, which sources comprehensive information from airlines and government agencies on travel restrictions. Air Canada’s Covid–19 travel information page also includes a regularly updated list with entry requirement for countries where it flies to.

Canada

Icefields Parkway, Alberta.   Photo: Abben S (Unsplash)

Europe

Greece.   Photo: Charlie Marusiak (Unsplash)

On July 1, the Council of the European Union added Canada to the list of countries from which non–essential travel is allowed. For details on entry requirements, see the list below. The United Kingdom requires unvaccinated travellers to provide a negative Covid–19 test result prior to departure, test again upon arrival, self–quarantine for 14 days and test once more on day eight of their isolation period, while travellers who can provide proof of vaccination and a negative Covid–19 test prior to departure do not have to quarantine, unless randomly selected to do so pending a negative result. As of January 6, 2022, The Republic of Ireland no longer requires arriving travellers to quarantine. Instead, unvaccinated travellers must complete a predeparture PCR test, while fully vaccinated Canadians must simply provide proof of full vaccination.

Refer to these links for more detailed and relevant information on travelling to the following countries:

United States

Union Station, Denver, Colorado.   Photo: Mimi Di Cianni (Unsplash)

As of November 8, 2021, the U.S. land border is open to fully vaccinated Canadians. Canadians who do not display symptoms of Covid‑19 are also allowed to fly to the country so long as they are fully vaccinated and are able to provide a negative antigen test prior to departure.

Passengers must present a negative molecular (PCR) or rapid antigen test result for Covid–19, even if they are fully vaccinated, taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Upon re–entry into Canada, passengers must present a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their return to Canada. However, effective November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers (on land or by flight) who depart and re–enter the country within 72 hours are exempt from the pre–entry testing requirement.

Canadian visitors to the United States are also subject to Covid‑19 measures set by the state they are travelling to.

Related: How Will Vaccine Passports Affect Travel?

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bloody Bay, Jamaica.   Photo: Josh Eaton (Unsplash)

Middle East and Africa

Dubai, United Arab Emirates.   Photo: Fredrik Öhlander (Unsplash)

Canadian residents are able to enter the United Arab Emirates (latest information outlined here) but are required to undergo a Covid‑19 PCR test showing no infection within 48 hours before the date of departure. PCR tests are also available for passengers arriving at Dubai International Airport. Visitors arriving as tourists at Dubai International Airport or Sharjah Airport must demonstrate proof of health insurance.

In November 2021, the federal government implemented a travel ban on several south African countries after a new Covid variant was discovered. Canadians and permanent residents returning home from these countries must adhere to the enhanced border measures outlined here.

Refer to these links for more detailed and relevant information on travelling to the following countries:

Asia

Seoul, South Korea.   Photo: Jet Dela Cruz (Unsplash)

Canadians without an existing travel visa will need register for a will need to register for a Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (or K–ETA) in order to travel to South Korea. All travellers, including Canadians, are required to quarantine for 14 days upon entering South Korea. Additionally, they must install the government’s self–quarantine safety protection app on their smartphone and be tested at a public health center within 14 days.

Canadians 12 years of age or older travelling to India must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure, as per Canadian travel regulations. Those who are not yet fully vaccinated must provide a negative result from a PCR test taken at least 72 hours before departure. Travellers regardless of their vaccination status must also fill out a self–declaration form.

Additional resources and information

Travellers who have not been vaccinated against Covid–19 and are returning to Canada from other countries are required to quarantine for a mandatory 14–day period. All travellers entering from the United States must still display a valid Covid–19 test taken prior to returning to Canada, but those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to quarantine. All passengers aged five years or older (unless exempted) must demonstrate a negative PCR test result for Covid–19, accredited by an external organization such as a government, a professional association or one with ISO accreditation, within 72 hours before flying to Canada from another country. Proof of having received Covid–19 vaccination does not exempt travellers from requiring a negative test result.

Related: How Airport Covid‑19 Testing Will Change Travel

You must also use the ArriveCAN app to provide accurate contact information and details of your Canada travel plan on or prior to entry. Your plan will then be reviewed by a government official, and if deemed non–suitable you could be asked to quarantine in a federal quarantine facility. Violating conditions provided upon entry could lead to six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines. Check Transport Canada’s backgrounder for detailed information about the new requirements.

Visit the Government of Canada’s website for general information on what you need to know before you travel.

Can Canadians just enter the US?

What are the travel restrictions to Canada from the United States?

Do you have to be vaccinated to enter the United States from Canada?

Do you need PCR test to enter US?