The Government of Canada just announced changes to their border measures that will affect International Students travelling to Canada. Recent data indicates that the latest wave of COVID-19 has passed its peak in Canada. Due to Canada’s high vaccination rates, the increasing availability of rapid tests and decreasing hospitality rates, we are happy to inform you that the government is easing the entrance requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.
As of February 28th, the following changes will come into effect:
- Fully vaccinated travellers from any country entering Canada will no longer have to take a pre-arrival molecular test (such as a PCR).
- Travellers now have the option of using a Covid-19 rapid antigen test result (taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the border) or a molecular test result (e.g. PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border) to meet entrance requirements
- In-home rapid tests will not be accepted. Rapid tests must be authorized in the country in which they were purchased and must be administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service.
- On-arrival molecular testing for fully-vaccinated travellers is no longer mandatory. Testing will be conducted on a random basis only.
- Those travellers who are randomly selected for arrival testing are no longer required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.
- International flights will be permitted to land at all Canadian airports that are designated by the Canada Border Services Agency to receive international passenger flights.
Please refer to the Government of Canada website to learn more about the accepted vaccines by the Government as well as the requirements to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller. All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN, including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan prior to arriving in Canada.
VNIS Education welcomes this change as it simplifies the arrival process for international students. We will continue to inform you about any updates. We hope that this information helps our students plan ahead for a smooth journey to Canada.
VNIS Education
Source: Government of Canada Website/VGC
